Gear up for motor mania

Fans of BBC1’s Top Gear show will have seen hosts Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris taken back to their teenage years last weekend – when the intrepid trio put three vintage cars under the microscope.

Two of the motors that featured in Sunday’s show – a Ford Cortina driven by Flintoff and McGuniness’ Ford Fiesta – are now available to be put through their paces, courtesy of a new Midlands-based venture.

Set to open later this year, when the pandemic permits, the Great British Car Journey attraction will be based between Derby and Matlock – and it will feature the Drive Dad’s Car offer, allowing petrol heads from far and wide to get behind the wheel of over 30 iconic cars manufactured between 1930 and 1990.

Founder Richard Usher, who is a former owner of Auto Windscreens and Blyton Park Circuit, believes there will be big demand for his new business.

Emotional segment

‘Britain was at the forefront of motoring for 100 years,’ he said. ‘Our cars changed the world and remain iconic to this day. Love them or loathe them, simply getting behind the [steering] wheel of one of these cars evokes a wave of nostalgia.

‘Nothing beats that analogue driving experience and the memories that go with it.’

In what was an emotional segment of the show, the three presenters recalled car journeys with their fathers in their respective cars.

It is memories like Flintoff’s – who, on the programme, told how his parents slept in their Cortina as they could not afford to stay in hotels when he was away playing cricket as a child – that are set to be recreated by Usher and his Drive Dad’s Car team.