Motors & Me: Hugh McEvoy

What are you currently driving?

My current classic drive is a 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix. Which is a dream come true for me.

Love at first sight, or just a means to get from A to B?

Definitely love at first sight. I first saw the car at the GAScc Rock ’n’ Rumble in Cork about four years ago. The then owner brought it down from Wexford for the cruise and show. I loved the way the car looked with its huge two door pillarless body style. It really stood out from the crowd, pure 60s Americana.

What’s under the bonnet?

A V8, 6.6 litre engine which has no problem moving the two tonne, 17ft Pontiac down the road. That said it is not a tyre burning muscle car, it is pure cruiser and very comfortable. This engine is out of a 70s Pontiac Trans Am.

Petrol head or Sunday driver?

A petrol head, I am proud to say. But it has to be classic, the modern stuff doesn’t interest me at all.

What was your first car?

My first car was a 1978 Mark 2 Ford Escort. It was a great car actually, but not much fun to drive as it was a 1.1lt four door. But easy to work on and a typical first car of the time. Of course it would be considered classic now.

What else do/did you own?

Along with the Grand Prix, I also currently own a 1970 Volvo Amazon. I’ve also owned a 1983 Alfa Romeo Alfasud, a 1956 Bentley S1, a 1969 Jaguar Mark 2, a 1968 GMC pick up and a 1979 Chevrolet C10 pick up with a step side body. The Chevy truck is what got me interested in the American classic car scene.

Dream drive in dream location?

I really like the 60s Alfa Romeos. A drive in a red Alfa GTV on the Stelvio Pass in Italy would be fantastic. Alfa twin cam, hair pin bends on a mountain and Italy! What more could a petrol head want?

Passenger you’d most like on a long journey?

Jay Leno would be great. The American talk show host is a massive classic car fan and has a huge personal collection. That would be a fun cruise.

Passenger you’d least like?

Anyone from the Green Party. For obvious reasons, but I don’t think they would understand petrol heads or anything to do with big petrol driven V8’s...

What’s on your playlist?

I like my music like my cars, classic and interesting. Maybe some old time Ray Charles or Aretha Franklin if I was spinning around the back roads in my Amazon. Another favourite would be Rory Gallagher, especially his early 70s live stuff. If I was cruising in my Pontiac Grand Prix up the motorway, possibly George Thorogood and the Destroyers with the volume up to max.