When our son was 21 ish, he had a very nasty M'bike accident and sprouted various plaster of paris addons as a result. He vowed to never ride a bike again, so we started to look for a small car. We saw an advert in our local paper for a Herald, and went to view it. It belonged to an old chap who'd had it from new, and it was his pride and joy. He took a shine to our son, but wouldn't sell him the car. He actually gave it to him.
He drove it to our house, but not before having it fully serviced, MOT'd, with new tyres all round. I can't remember the model details, but it was pale blue.
As our son slowly recovered, he started to cast his eyes over the wreckage in our garage, that had once been his beloved 350 Yamaha. He stripped it down, and searched out the bits that were needed to repair it. It took a long time, but he did it. By the time he was fit enough to ride it, it was roadworthy. Because it had been deemed a writeoff, it had to be inspected by a professional, and I believe a local speed-cop carried it out. I might be a bit hazy about that, but some of you bikers would know.
While all this was going on, the poor old Herald sat on our drive. Unloved, and unwanted by our son. It was started up occasionally, and cleaned, but he never drove it. We contacted the old chap, and asked him if he wanted it back. He was upset, but understanding. He told our son to sell it to somebody who would care for it, and to keep the money to pay for the bike repairs.
It was sold to a friend of our daughter, a very nice young man, who was "very nice" He came to collect it with his mum, who drove it home. What they didn't know, is that a group of friends thought it would be a good idea to play a practical joke on him. I wish I could have seen their faces when a female blow-up doll popped up out of the boot.
Phillip loved that car, and drove it for many trouble free years. Our son also rode the bike for a few years more. Two marriages and six kids later, he drives a Volvo estate.
Sorry if I bored you, but thanks for helping me to recall that episode of 30 years ago.
