Vintage UK motors restored for new TV show
The Life of Cars brings classic cars back from the brink
A NEW series is to save some classic UK cars from rusting beyond repair.
Car fanatic Philip Glenister works with motor designer Ant Anstead to find and restore some of the nation’s favourite vehicles.
The Life of Cars...Philp Glenister is restoring classic British motors
The Life of Cars aims to do up six British cars which have played a part in the UK’s social history. The vintage motors, now in a rather sorry state, were once bold in design and caused a stir on the silver screen.
The motors include a Ford Escort Mexico, MGTC, Mini Cooper MK1, Triumph Stag and the DeLorean.
We were meant to go to Paris in a Stag and ten minutes into the journey it broke down
Along the way the duo meet with classic car owners who share their experiences and troubles with the vehicles.
Life on Mars actor Glenister, speaking exclusively to Sun Motors said, “There was one point when I drove a Mini Cooper and the weather was horrendous and we wondered why we were doing this. Especially when we nearly crashed into a lorry coming the other way, but the whole process of restoring the cars has been great, these cars belong on the road, not rusting in sheds and barns.”
Mini Cooer MK1...Fully restored back to its best
Having driven the restored cars Glenister says there’s something magical about being behind the wheel of such basic vehicles.
“The technology in cars these days is great but there’s something blissful about the simplicity of driving the classics. It’s not hard, modern day cars can be too comfortable. The founder of the Mini said they made them slightly uncomfortable so drivers concentrate on the road. You can fall asleep in some of the big comfortable cars on the road these days.”
“The most uncomfortable is the DeLorean, I’m not sure what it’s meant to be, is it a sports car or not? The front is slightly raised and it’s heavy and wide, so turning corners is a real effort.”
Even when restored, the classic motors aren’t without their problems. The Ashes to Ashes star recalls conking out in a Triumph Stag shortly after hitting the road.
"The most uncomfortable... The DeLorean
“We were meant to go to Paris in a Stag and ten minutes into the journey it broke down, that’s the problem with some classic cars, they just don’t work properly anymore.”
Once fully restored to their former glory the cars are auctioned off to classic car buyers, so they’re kept on the road and not behind garage doors.
Back to its best... Glenister wasn't impressed with the car's handling
Transformation... Land Rover
MGTC... The guys went to LA to drive this vintage motor
The original boy racer...Ford Escort Mexico
Shell... The Triumph Stag took a lot of effort to recondition
Watch Life of Cars on Sunday 20th April on Channel 4