The other day I posted an article chronicling mine and our Dictator Trevor Long’s car history. I suggested it says a lot about a person, or a particular period in time during one’s life. For example, Trev once bought a 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer, let’s just say it was onwards and upwards from then.
But our team has a secret member, one you only hear about once a year when we hire him as a kitchen hand at CES in Las Vegas. He’s known simply as “Flipsy” and is also our de facto Classic Motoring Editor, not that we’ve ever parted with any cash to have him write anything. But despite this he’d know more about classic cars than most have forgotten. But when I asked him for his car history it immediately became clear I’d overcommitted myself.
For a bloke who is edging towards his mid 40’s he’s managed to own a combination of at least 30 vehicles and motorbikes. Including seven Volkswagens, two of which were built from the ground up. It’s a real story of a love of cars that I doubt many could match. Personally while I’m a huge fan I think he’s slightly cuckoo.
When I asked for a quote Flipsy summed up this obsession by saying “Here’s the story. Most of those cars and bikes were sub $10k. I’d buy, play then sell. Now, the Kombi would be $40k, the Beetles 25k to 40k, the Landy $30k”.He followed this up with a rant about hipsters pushing up the value of these relics, sadly I can’t even censor those words such was the ferocity and venom behind them. Thank goodness WhatsApp is encrypted.
But take a look at this list, it will no doubt be updated as will the photos while he slowly raids his roof attic Also, sorry for the quality, Flipsy has yet to learn how to scan a picture.
Chris was EFTM’s Motoring Editor for many years, driving everything from your entry level hatch to the latest Luxury cars through to the Rolls Royce.
He has been in the media for 20 years, produced three Olympic games broadcasts, attending Beijing 2008 & London 2012.
Strangely he owns a Toyota Camry Hybrid, he defiantly rejects the knockers.
Chris is married to Gillian and resides in Sydney’s North West. They have Sam the English Springer Spaniel and Felix the Burmese cat to keep them company, and recently welcomed baby Henry to the family.
He has now left EFTM, and writes freelance and runs his own Facebook Page “Bowen’s Garage”
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