VIDEO: Motors and Me: Dave Beadle

Dave Beadle shows us around his 1978 Mercury Cougar 6.6 litre V8

What are you currently driving?

A 1978 Mercury Cougar 6.6 litre V8 — with nitrous set up. It also has line lock fitted for burnouts.

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

Defo love at first sight. I just love the way it looks and sounds even when it is stopped it looks fast.

What’s under the bonnet?

The engine was originally a bad ass 351W — but it got a full rebuild and was stroked out to a 400 cubic inch 6.6 litre V8 with nitrous.

Petrol head or Sunday driver?

Definitely a petrol head. I love anything that has a motor in it.

What was your first car?

It was a 1990 Ford Fiesta van.

What else do/did you own?

That’s a long list! American cars — 1988 Generation 3 Camaro, 5 litre V8 with nitrous set up; a 1975 Chevy Camaro (5.7 litre V8); a 1979 Chevy Camaro (5.7 litre V8); a 1988 Ford f150 Monster truck; a 1993 Chevy Silverado Lowrider 5.7 litre V8; a 1997 Dodge Dakota Pick Up; a 1978 Mercury Cougar (6.6 litre V8). Other cars — Mazda RX 7 twin turbo; Ford Sierra Cosworth; Ford Capri 2.8i Special; Ford Mondeo ST 200 (2.5 litre V6); Toyota Glanza; Toyota Glanza Turbo; Toyota Levin AE 101 — and a few normal cars.

Dream drive in dream location?

My dream drive would be to drive a Plymouth Superbird down Route 66 in America.

Passenger you’d most like on a long journey?

Big Chief from Street Outlaws, actor Mark Sinclair, better known as Vin Diesel and of course my wife.

Passenger you’d least like?

Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

What’s on your playlist?

Michael Jackson, Guns n Roses — I like all kinds of music.