This week, we talk to Michael Haslam, a retired textile sales executive from Lancashire, whose hobbies include walking, tourism … and driving his car.
1. My car is:
A Mercedes E250 Sport Edition 125 Coupe, which I bought in March 2015.
2. I bought it because:
I bought this car for its good looks in terms of design luxury and a long-held love of Mercedes quality.
3. Best feature:
There are so many nice features in the car so it is difficult to choose one. Instead, I’ll go for three, although they are all parts of the interior. I love the cockpit layout along with the
leather upholstery and the automatic seatbelt presenters.
4. Worst feature:
It has to be lack of space in the rear, but that does tend to come with the territory as it is a sports coupe.
5. First car:
It was a 1966 Ford Anglia, with the trademark angled back window. With a distinctive combination of black roof and white body it was my pride and joy.
6. Best car:
Without a doubt it is my present car.
7. Worst car:
I would have to say the rather bland Nissan Almera. One chap said to me, ‘If this gets stolen, they’ll bring it back.’
8. Best drive:
Probably driving from Las Vegas to San Francisco, taking in Los Angeles on the way
9. Worst drive:
Being on the road so much in my job I endured several bad drives. A really awful one was a trip from home to Cardiff, which I had done many times before. Usually it took around four hours. On this particular day it took a full 12 hours due to an horrific accident on the M6 near Stoke. I was on the section of motorway where it took place. Thankfully, I avoided the incident, but not the hold-up.
10. Dream car
A classic Aston Martin DB5, accompanied by dinner suit, white shirt, black tie and beautiful blonde. A man can wish!