Ideal pairs III

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Sir,

I was very interested indeed to read of other people’s “ideal pairs”, having long dreamed of and planned my own ideals. To be quite honest though, on an unlimited budget a “pair” would be quite out of the question! My “collection” would definitely not be considered by myself to be complete without such modern-day classics as a Mercedes-Benz 300SL (Gullwing), a Ferrari Berlinetta Lusso of 1964, and an AC Cobra. For my everyday transport I would most probably choose a BMW 3.0 CSA coupé (for genuine Grand Touring), a BMW 2002 for the town, and a Maserati Bora for trips in the country at night when no-one’s looking!

Being practical, though, and with the space available at present, I would be thoroughly contented just(!) to own a Lamborgini Urraco and a BMW 3.0SI saloon, cars which I feel would suit just about every occasion. However, back to reality, I am more than happy with my present little duo, an Austin 1300, 4-door for business and the town, and a TRV Vixen for those country roads—although the latter is in fact more than just a fun car, having proved an extremely longlegged and reliable long-distance car, (e.g. Dieppe at lunch-time, overnight stop in the south of France, a rather late start the following morning and tea in Alicante—quite a long way south! Altogether something over 1,000 miles in around 20 driving hours—and that includes 2 hours around Paris’s ridiculously busy boulevard peripherique!)

I enclose a last year’s picture of my pair (although in fact the 1100 has just been replaced by a white 1300 since the picture).

What next! Well I like the look of those Tridents very much, but the reports I have read have not been too good. I would like to read one in your magazine, or perhaps a wife, and back to square one with a Mini! [We did try to test a Trident but were only offered one on Trade Plates; illegal for our purpose.—ED.].

West Ells.
N. E. Hawkes.