Andrew fulfils his classic car dream

Andrew Mear would utter those words on his way to school, as he passed a racing green Rolls-Royce Silver Spur.

“My mother tells me I’d say that every time, and that ambition never changed. There is something magical about seeing a classic car in pristine condition.

“Growing up I was lucky as both my grandfather and father had nice cars. In 1994 my grandfather died, and my father ordered a new Morgan Plus 4 sports car but soon changed it in 1996 for a blue Jaguar XJS convertible.”

Andrew, who lives in Norwood Green, took on the XJS when his father moved to Spain. “It was decided the car was better off staying in the UK and I had always cleaned and looked after it. I had just finished university and wasn’t insured to drive it until 2001, aged 24, so I served a long apprenticeship in caring for it.”

The following year he bought the Jaguar off his father - and owns it to this day.

As a child Andrew liked nothing better than to earn pocket money cleaning cars.

“My grandfather always had nice cars and would spend Sundays cleaning them. My father always had a nice company car so I would clean his car at weekends for pocket money. After my parents’ separation I would go to my grandma’s and clean her car and all the neighbours’ cars. My stepfather was a car dealer so I would spend evenings with him cleaning cars - ‘minting them up’ - ready for the next customer.”

The local businessman and entrepreneur, based in Norwood Green, learned to drive in his father’s Daihatsu Fourtrak, failing his first driving test for not keeping to the speed limit.

“Riding up high gives a perception of slower speed and I think it was a new experience for the tester, taking my driving test in the Fourtrak.”

His father was frequently abroad, so Andrew was able to use the car as often as he wanted. “It was an ideal first car as it was relatively slow and cost me nothing to drive.

“Being my father’s car, I felt I should keep it in tip top condition, which I did. The only annoying thing was that it was the only diesel car I knew - and on a least two occasions I filled it up with petrol. This resulted in embarrassing journeys to our local garage, Headlands, where they had to drain the tank and refill it.”

Andrew doesn’t only enjoy being behind the wheel. Over the years he has carried out many major repairs to cars, mainly body work.

“When I was in my teens my grandma has an old Mini Metro that suffered badly with rust round the wheel arches and sills. I removed the rust, filled and smoothed over the work, then sprayed it to match the colour.

“I dread to think what it was actually like but at the time I felt I was doing a good job. Again, having a stepfather who was a car dealer helped massively in getting experience.”

He drew on those skills over lockdown, rebuilding a 1978 VW campervan in readiness for a vinyl wrap showing iconic buildings from the Skipton area.

The camper van came out of a field near Andrew’s home. “I spotted it while on a dog walk during lockdown. The engine was in good order having been recently rebuilt but the body was in a terrible state. Fixing it up turned out to be a great way to pass the time.

“I’ve developed it as the ‘Skipton Camper Van’ for promoting all things Skipton in an attempt to encourage business back to the town. It has also really helped me to promote my charitable work for Parkinson’s UK, a charity dear to my heart.”

The camper van has its own Instagram profile and is available to view every day at the High Corn Mill, Chapel Hill, Skipton.

For many years Andrew, who heads up a £10 million property portfolio, coveted three cars: the Ferrari 328, Aston Martin DBS and 1969 Ford Mustang.

“Having sold a property during lockdown the decision was easy. A friend of mine from Italia Autosport rang me with an opportunity and the dream came true. I am now the proud custodian of one of the best 328 GTS in the county.”

The 1985 Ferrari 328 GTS has done only 8000 miles. “It is very fast, even though speed is not what I’m about really, it’s the look. The Ferrari likes to be pushed and sounds amazing, even at slow speed. My Jaguar is an automatic and great for cruising but is equally a quick car.”

He adds: “If you want a fast car, buy a new electric one. My current company car is a full electric car and would leave all these modern classics in the dust.”

The cars attract many admiring glances, but it is the campervan that gets the most attention.

“It must be the wrap of images on the vehicle. The VW evokes a nostalgia like no other.

“The XJS and the 328 look amazing when travelling around on a sunny day, I’ve not been so far in the Ferrari yet, having owned it for less than a year. The Jaguar has been all over throughout the past 26 years, including a number of car shows such as Warwick Castle. It is lovely travelling through the Dales on a sunny day with the roof down.

“I’m going to the Ferrari owner day at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire this year. I’ve not yet had the time to go on a classic car rally but expect to do so in the near future. I would love to go on a road trip to my fathers in the south of Spain, an epic journey that would need a lot of planning.”

He adds: “It’s always a privilege to get in these vehicles and I enjoy every minute put into presenting them in immaculate condition and the bonus of being able to drive them.”

Andrew’s cars are identifiable through his private number plates. “I currently have MEA 1R and MEA 4R, as well as 60 JM – that one came from auction. I can remember being about 13 and going with my father, John Mear, to buy it.”

He has been a member of the Jaguar enthusiast club and XJS club for years. “It’s fun to meet like-minded people who generally know far more about cars than I do. The stories are interesting and through the groups I get to know about events and regular meetings. There are various publications available to all members which offer an insight into all things Jaguar. I expect to join the Ferrari club in the near future.”

For day-to-day use Andrew has an electric Mercedes EQC car. “It is a real joy and is easy to drive. My wife has a Range Rover Sport that she adores. Currently having an electric car is the future in a world that is trying to do its bit for the environment.”

He doesn’t hesitate when asked about his favourite car. “it is the Jaguar XJS, as it’s been in the family for most of my adult life and I have an emotional attachment to it. It’s a future classic - I love it and would say to anyone, find the same car but in better condition: the task would be very difficult.”