Classic car mechanic’s weekly motoring – The Joy of Motoring

‘In the corner of the workshop, Olli Ragbin ponders the motoring world’

Finally, the old Silver Shadow is on the road and in shake-down. Little tweaks will likely be needed here and there, but a good weekend of driving will unearth any niggles which need addressing.

This has been my first proper taste of classic motoring. A few observations as a newby in this space;

· What a car the Shadow is… wow. It may be over 50 years old, but the sense of occasion just wafting about has to be tried to be tried to be believed.

· Despite there being over half a century of car development since launch, this car still feels luxurious and rides incredibly well (thanks the complicated Citroen-derived suspension for that)

· The radio is useless

· It doesn’t possess handling, this is a ship to navigate with plenty of forward planning

· Do not attempt to hustle. Hustling is not liked by the Shadow and it won’t do it. End of story

· Plan your corners well in advance

· Drive with fingertips alone. A surprisingly fulfilling feeling

· You sit quite high for a saloon. It reminded me of a kinda Range Rover position but before there were Range Rovers. You’re a little above the palava of the outside world.

· It’s sooo very quiet

· Arrange to be followed by a petrol tanker. MPG is simply too vulgar to discuss and I’m certainly trying not to think about it

Driving about in the old Roller has been nothing short of fabulous. The genuine joy of motoring. This won’t be a strange feeling to those with classics and it’s certainly not unique to the Shadow. It’s hard to put my finger on it, but let’s have a go. Almost every modern car is better on paper than our old Roller, in just about every measurable may. But the immeasurable stuff, this is where it shines.. as do many loved classics. It’s a connection to the analogue in a digital world. Feeling over data, cosseted maybe, but not isolated, imperfect foibles needing to be learned vs the all to easy ‘point-and-go’ perfection.

What comes of this is a dawning realisation that in an increasingly measured world, emotion and feeling knock data-driven perfection into a cocked hat.

At CCM we see this every day of the week. Owners who bring their emotion machines in for love and attention. If you just want efficient transport (and there is nothing wrong with that), then Classics make no sense as all. But for the pure joy of driving, it’s the sucker punch I never quite saw coming.

Shout out to Lewis for all the fiendishly complicated recommissioning work and to Keithy baby for our first step into cosmetic tweaks. Others will be drawn in as I get overly excited about improvements whilst Eric tries to talk a little sense into me & Siobhan tries to keep me out of the workshop. Happy days.