Colin Murdoch is the first to admit that he may have a slight obsession with classic cars, but he has vowed his latest purchase will be his last.
The 62-year-old from Nigg has a habit of changing cars every year, indeed it is a running joke among Colin’s friends that you can never be sure what set of wheels he’ll turn up in next.
At £4,000 over budget, his Austin 1800 Landcrab may have dampened his hobby for good though.
The Austin has undergone extensive work since Colin bought her off Ebay last year, and although he believes the revamp was worth it he simply can’t afford another costly project.
“I’m pretty sure my friends won’t believe me because I’m known for buying and selling classics quite quickly, but I’m determined that this is my last one – it has to be,” said Colin.
“My problem is that I’m a perfectionist and I wanted everything just right, I thought it would cost about two thousand but once work started it became clear that the cost was spiralling.”
The Austin is Colin’s sixth classic car in as many years, and he has named each car in tribute to female singers.
“I’ve always done it and this final car is called Phyllis Viola Wills,” said Colin.
“I’ve always loved Austins and their history, I find it really interesting how they have evolved.
“Back in the sixties they were used as rally cars, when you went round a corner in one you’d basically go round sideways.
“I spied my Austin on Ebay and she came up from the West Midlands, although she was first registered in London.
“I passed my driving test in 1972 and back then it was normal to drive an Austin.
“It’s not that I dislike modern cars, they get you from A to B.
“But they just don’t interest me in the way Austins do.”
The Landcrab has undergone a complete makeover both inside and out, from bodywork and re-spraying to the recovery of the roll bars.
She even has a period radio so Colin can play music from the sixties and seventies.
“I wanted it to look exactly right and there’s no better feeling driving along with my music on,” he said.
“The Austin is a beautiful ride and people always give me a thumbs up when I’m out and about with her.”
Although Colin has decided to call it a day on his annual classic car buying, he has no regrets after meeting plenty of other enthusiasts.
“It’s not just about the car, it’s the community as well,” he said.
“I’ve gone to Oldmeldrum Car Show for the past six years and you meet up with the same people every year.
“You get to know the same faces which is pretty nice.
“There aren’t that many Landcrabs in Scotland and they certainly aren’t easy to get hold of.
“I admit that some of my classics have been impulse buys but my advice to anyone on the lookout for a classic would be to do your homework.
“You’ve also got to feel a connection to the car and have a real passion for it.”
Although Colin insists otherwise, his friends probably won’t be too surprised to see him with an Austin in the near future, as he’s still hankering after an Austin A35.
“I have to admit that an Austin A35 would be my dream car, I just think it’s beautiful,” he said.
“My first car was an Austin Morris 1000, I can still remember the number plate.
“I’ll always love Austins, I’ll just have to try and not give in to temptation again.”
“The Austin is a beautiful ride and people always give me a thumbs up when I’m out and about with her.”
