Motors & Me: Bob Skillington

Bob Skillington shows off his Mini Mayfair, something he was able to spend a bit of free time on restoring it to its original glory.

What are you currently driving?

I am driving a 00 Reg, Rover Mini, royal blue metallic with silver roof and stripes on the hood. Love at first sight, or just a means to get from A to B? Oh it was love at first sight.

It was a bit on the sick side when I first seen it and in need of a bit of TLC.

It was just what I was looking for, something to spend a bit of free time on restoring it to its original glory, but not too much work for me at the same time.

What’s under the bonnet?

A really beautiful little engine, that runs like a sewing machine.

Petrol head or Sunday driver?

A Sunday driver, that is how I would describe myself. Taking out my Mini just for pleasure and social trips.

What was your first car?

My first car was a Vauxhall Viva, black with a green strip running from front to back. It was the late 1950’s and I looked the part. As I liked to think anyway.

What else do/did you own?

Over the years I had a number of different makes and models some of which were, Capri, Escort’s, BMW’s, Nissan X-Trail, Suburu, Swift and many more. I cannot remember them all.

Dream drive in dream location?

I would love to drive a Red Capri around the roads and hillsides of Nerja in Spain, a place I like to visit a lot.

Passenger you’d most like on a long journey?

My wife and all my grandchildren, so I better start looking for a coach to fit them all in, that would be my dream come true.

Passenger you’d least like?

I am a easy going person, so no one comes to mind, but if stuck with someone I did want to listen to anymore, I would be OK, I would just switch off the old hearing aids and that would solve the problem.

What’s on your playlist?

Jim Reeves and Neil Diamond would be my favourites.