Motors & Me: Nick Wyatt
A 1972 Dodge Custom 200 Stepside Pickup. It was originally imported into the UK where the owner completely rebuilt the truck with new body panels. It was bought by an Irish customer who owned it for about three years. I saw it at the Terenure classic show and bought it on the spot. I’ve always wanted an old Dodge Truck.
Love at first sight. In my youth, I drag raced a Camero, but have always wanted a Dodge Pickup.
The base engine is original - 43-years-old. It’s a 318cc, 5.2 Litre petrol V8 LA, which is Chrysler’s light version of the short block (in those days anyway).
I slightly worked the heads, put on a Holley Carb and some bling items like a Chromed alternater and polished rocker valves. It’s pretty quick for a heavy truck.
Oh I am a petrol head. Have been my whole life. My son has followed me and now races petrol engine 1/5th scale radio controlled cars all over the world.
My first car I bought off my brother. It was a Hillman Imp. I sprayed it in the Team Lotus F1 colours which was in those days Black and Gold.
When I was 18, I built a 1965 Morris Minor. It had a Rover V8 supercharged and had a Jaguar, with independent rear axle all chromed. I drag raced that and entered it into custom shows. It even won best engineered (my proudest achievement).
Would have to be a Porsche Carrera over the Swiss mountains.
Passenger I would most like would be Jodi Kidd. She is a car nut as well.
Least like - Jeremy Clarkson. He is great on TV but I would not like him next to me on a long journey.
AC/DC, Queen, Dire Straits or any heavy rock music. Great for driving and cruising.
