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?
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!
