Hi all,
In c1988 I was visiting my 1st wife’s sister and family in Brighton, from the North East and had made arrangements to visit (the then) Transformer cars in Frant, East Sussex run by one Gerry Hawkridge. I have been a fan of the Stratos since seeing it compete in the RAC, other special stage events and Rallycross in the 70’s. It was such a special looking and performing car – then and now.
I had cut my teeth on a VW based Nova kit car in the early 80’s having received a donor Beetle as a 21st Birthday present from my parents. I had sold it back in 1985 to pay off my then wife’s overdraft, but was interested in another car build project.
My greatest surprise on visiting Gerry, at 6’ 6”, was - I could actually get in to and operate the controls of both their demonstrators’ which included the Alitalia liveried G4 car. Anyway a long story short nothing further happened. Car projects were restricted to a VW Beetle and Split Screen camper restorations.
Fast forward to 2008, with kids grown up and firmly in my Mid-life crisis (still in it) and with encouragement from wife no. 3, purchased a Spectraflair Silver TVR T350c which I owned for 6 years. Loved it despite the lack of headroom, cycling between the discomforts of either head firmly against headlining or with seat cushion removed at the opposite end!
I took early retirement last June and now have “too much” time on my hands, but don’t tell the other half or I will have job lists to contend with. This has got me thinking again of my opportunity missed. I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did a Stratos build would be on it. Next step then will be to visit both Hawk and Lister Bell to see if I could still get into and drive either. I have put on about 3 stone since the 80’s, not lost any height and although not problems, movement is not what it used to be.
This is just an initial hello and to see if there are any current Owners or Builders in the North East?
Cheers,
Adrian