Former Essex schoolgirl and staff writer at England’s oldest women’s magazine, the Lady, Melonie Clarke is a vintage aficionado. Here she shares her love of all things retro...

I had wanted a Morris Minor for as long as I could remember – my granddad learnt to drive in one and I was determined to have one. I’m not ashamed to say that when I won the eBay bid (for £850) for mine, I promptly burst into joyous tears.

For the three years I owned Morris (yep I know, original) he gave me nothing but joy.

There were so many things I loved – the sound when you turned the ignition and the sound of the car when driving.

With no radio inside, I knew every little noise Morris made – which was pretty handy for sussing out problems when new sounds appeared!

I loved that sort of damp caravan smell, which I know sounds a touch crazy, but as with most leaky Moggys it’s a smell that becomes quite familiar.

I loved the lack of power steering – this was real driving – and I loved the looks I got when driving down the street and the questions and compliments I’d get in car parks.

Classic cars can have their drawbacks (after becoming first-name acquaintances with the recovery man, I can say Morris had his fair share of issues!), but despite all the breakdowns and the cold mornings when getting it to start was like a sport in itself, nothing compares to driving a classic car.

I already can’t wait to own another one in the future.