OUR 1960 DODGE PHOENIX
Having been around the scene for more years than I care to remember, I reckon there are not many cars on the circuit that I have not seen and admired at some time or other, so I am really chuffed to now own one particular car that I have wanted for a long time.

I entered the NASC scene at Bruntingthorpe, and although I had never led what could be called a boring life I remember thinking, “Wow! Now this is something else – the ‘X’ factor that has been missing!”

Since then I have been seen at most NASC events, either stuffing goodie bags, clearing litter or spending many long hours on the overnight gate. In fact I foolishly offered to do any job that was needed - as long as it did not involve kids!!!! (I might be tempted to eat a whole one!)

Neil Meredith, bless his heart, took me literally and gave me a go at most of the jobs on offer at some time or another but since becoming Trade Organiser I at least get to tramp round the showfield so am in a prime position to get a good view of the droolingly wonderful cars that fill our events field so I reckon I will stick with this for now – and I can get to go shopping too!!! Bonus!

Going back to the earlier years I remember taking a photograph of one particular car that caught my eye that one year the Nats was held at Avon Park. I kept the picture in my little ‘Wanna Have’ book since then but never thought for one minute I would see the car again, and very close to home too.

It had been neglected for many years and was taken on by a friend who soon decided it was far too big a task to handle and after some heavy duty arm twisting on my part he handed it over to me – only a mere 16 years since I took the photograph!! (Everything comes to those who wait as Granny used to say!)

Now at this point I had met Les, the man I was sharing my life with and I decided that his reaction to my ‘find’ would certainly tell me once and for all if this was truly the right man for me.

Pinning on my best smile and enthusiastic expression I took him to where my ‘dream car’ was standing. To my delight he was not in the slightest phased by the rusting roof, crumbling bodywork and rotting interior. In fact his enthusiasm overtook mine in the cold and wet winter as I found a variety of excuses for not accompanying him to the rather damp and chilly workshop as he gradually brought her back to her former glory. However, my excuses didn’t work every time as one photograph can prove!!
Considering the fact that the car had been standing in a barn for some years with her tail sticking out it was no surprise when a whole chunk fell out in our hands. We were left holding a large piece of rear end, which consisted of chicken wire old newspapers and crumbling filler.

Now this is where my old photograph came in handy as at least we had something to work on as Les replaced the gaping holes with steel and I followed behind with the filler and wet n dry.

Our hard work and Les’s dedication was finally rewarded when we took her for her first short run to the Rotbox Rodders meet in Chingford and found that she cruised like a dream. (Well, not exactly a dream but certainly not a nightmare!)

After a little more TLC she was ready for her first real test which turned out to be a 340 mile round trip from London to Scotland. After all our hard work, almost living in the workshop over the winter months, it seemed the obvious step to take her with us to Gretna Green for our wedding on May 5th, exactly seven months after rescuing her from her rusting place.

On our big day our Phoenix was parked in place of honour right in front of the forge gates as Les and I tied the knot and we proudly stood by her side for the photographs. I made sure I matched the car in my red dress and silver shoes!

Still an ongoing project, the Phoenix has been to most events on her first season and will only get better as we continue to bring her back to her original glory.