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In the Hot Seat with ...
David Olivant

So, tell us about yourself. How and when did you become interested in classic cars?

I am a newly retired professional engineer, 58 years old living in Scotland. I have worked in maintenance most of my life, so I know which end of a screwdriver to hold.

What was your first car?

I suppose I have always been interested in classic cars, the first proper car I bought, aged 19 was a Riley RMF one and a half litre. I rebuilt the engine after running a big end. I also repainted it in 2 pack paint. I sold the car when I went to work abroad.

I have owned a varied selection of cars from 3 litre Vanden Plas, triumph 1300, 2000 estate, Toledo, Maxi. A courtship with Citroen has led to various puddles of oil on my drive way. the latest of these being an XM. a superb car to drive, until you loose all fan belts north of Inverness on a Sunday morning.

I suppose I started with classic cars as I prefer the looks of them, also the fact that they are repairable. I do all my own repairs, and have resprayed cars in the past. I tackle everything, electrics, engines, gearboxes, auto and manual, suspension, brakes, bodywork. Trimming is the least of my accomplishments, mainly due to the fact that I ruined my wife's sewing machine in the process.

What is your daily driver?

My present daily driver is a Suzuki Baleno estate a wonderfully bland car, sickeningly efficient and reliable. Great for carrying everything from front axles to engines.

What classic(s) do you currently have?

At present I have a Reliant Scimitar which I have owned for 15 years, now sadly past its best. It really should go, but it is too good to scrap, unleaded engine, reupholstered and it doesn't overheat! [enlarged radiator, replumbed, swirlpot and wheelarch vents].

I also own a Bristol 408. Bought from a scrap yard with the remains of a chassis, no inner wheelarches, interior, ancillaries, lights or trim. I traced the previous who had all of the parts to finish the car. I managed to purchase them from him. I now have the largest jigsaw with no picture on the lid of the box. I have made a chassis, wheel arches, the whole back end and outriggers. They only cost 3 sheets of galvanised steel and a heart attack. Things have therefore slowed up a bit. I am now back "at it" and have started rebuilding the engine and front axle. A wonderfully engineered automotive sculpture.

Have you ever missed buying a particular classic and lived to regret it?

I suppose looking back, the car I most regret not buying was a Jaguar xk120 in the early 60's Tatty, run down and £200! The insurance put me off. Various other cars have pleaded with me to buy them , but with twins and another boy priorities get pushed and pulled. Still no regrets.

What is your favourite run in a classic car?

Most roads north of Inverness, with exception of the A9 are superb, no dual carriage-ways, little traffic and superb scenery, if only the weather was better, then again, there would then be more cars.

How much work on your car(s) do you carry out yourself?

Air conditioning is the only area I would not tackle, mainly due to the equipment required and the damage to the environment, if gas is vented off.

Do you get involved in the club scene and why?

I am a member of the Bristol owners club, but due to the scarcity of cars and the spread of members, it is difficult to get down south to gatherings and shows. I do attend as many shows as I can and have just returned from Tatton park. One of the best shows is the one held at Newby Hall near Ripon in July, but oh! it needs to be two days as there is so much to see. The highlight is the NEC at the end of the year, It is wonderfull and now up to three days, still not enough time, and so busy. If it keeps on growing, the NEC may be too small!

What is your worst memory involving a classic?

My worst experience in a clasic is when my seventeen foot caravan overturned onto the Scimitar. Due to the build strength of the car it only scraped the paint and broke the back window, try that in a modern box. Italso scared the living daylights out of my mother-in-law in the back seat!

What is your most enjoyable moment involving a classic car?

One of the best moments was 'following' an Austin Healey from Callendar to the north of Glasgow after a show, blue sky, dry empty road, little traffic apart from a smattering of classics. Burned into my brain.

If you won a competition to have the unlimited and unrestricted use of any classic car for a week, what would you choose and why?

The car I would just love to have for a week would have to be a Packard Victoria convertible. The American cars just before the war were so far ahead of every-one else. However I would probably head for the border and that would be the last you would see of me!

What in your opinion is the worst car regarded as a classic and why?

The worst car regarded as a classic would really be any of the sixties Ford/Vauxhall/BMC cars. There are just so many of them and it was the start of badge engineering and blandness. I suppose that they are cherished due to childhood memories and not for the actual cars themselves.

What question would you like to ask and to whom?

The person I would most like to meet would be LJK Setright. I remember reading his articles in Small Car and thought his descriptions so good "handling like books sliding off a shelf" sticks in my mind. His use of the English language when writing about cars has yet to be surpassed. I suppose in a way Clarkson is " nephew of". There would be no particular single question, just to sit and have a discussion with him would be sufficient.

What classic car publications do you regularly read?

I subscribe to Classic and Sports Car and Classic Car Weekly, I also buyany of the other classic magazines dependent upon that particular issue's content.

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