PHIL TUFNELL

Tuffers talks us through his Ford Cortinas, Jaguar XKRS and sponsored Vauxhalls...

I always loved cars growing up. I had pictures on the walls, you know, the usual stuff. My father had a Ford Cortina estate that he used to let me drive a bit. He needed an estate because he was a silversmith. It was red with a go-faster stripe down the side.

My parents had Volvos after that. I got given my mum’s after I passed my test and I put a load of speakers in the back. I was 17 years old. I passed first time after about five lessons, although I think that was in the days of just having to read a number plate from 30 yards and then looking at a sign with a train on and explaining what it meant. That was the extent of the Highway Code back then.

The first car I bought was a Ford Cortina Ghia with a black vinyl roof. It was cracking. I put in all the speakers and things again. A few of my mates would modify their cars – put an extra carb on them or stick a pair of Wolfrace wheels on, but mine was pretty standard.