We love to hear about the passion radiating from the hobby, our client’s and their cars. This week, we take a glimpse into the life of motoring enthusiast Charlie Patterson.
What was your first car?
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FIAT 126 BIS
Tell us about your love of classic cars.
It started very early on in my childhood as it was already a long-standing family interest, so naturally I heard and picked up the names of various makes and models. I always gravitated towards the exotic GT cars of the 1960s: Aston, Jaguar, Maserati and my dream car, the Iso Griffo. True classic cars are somehow less flashy and offensive than the modern supercar brigade; they possess a timeless old-fashioned appeal and will always bring the best out of people in a public setting, for instance, letting you out in traffic or chatting at the filling station. There’s really nothing better than driving a car that you built or restoring a car that you saved from the scrap man.
Which classic car do you currently own?
It’s nothing so exotic as the Griffo, but my runner-up is a 1972 MG B Roadster.
What do you love about your classic car?
Classic car motoring on a budget! I am a family man with two small children, so naturally all available funds go to the family. However, with the iconic MG B you really can achieve that special top-down driving experience with old-world-car feel on a tiny budget, insure it for less than £100, tax free and DIY maintenance; what’s not to love?
Why did you choose Hagerty to insure your car?
There’s not a company like them out there; the whole ethos of the company whether in the U.S. or the U.K. is to support the classic car hobby — they live and breathe the hobby. You might be able to get a cheaper quote elsewhere on occasion, but you also get what you pay for, and when insuring your beloved classic car you want to know that it’s in good hands; at Hagerty the client advisor actually understands what your needs are and is familiar with your car. I also take comfort in knowing that we can choose our preferred repairer or retain the salvage if the worst happens.
Are you a member of a car club?
Yes, the Vintage classic Vehicle Club.
Would you like an opportunity to feature your classic car? We want to hear from you via our Q & A form!