MICHAEL Brandon is perhaps best known for his role opposite his wife Glynis Barber in the 1980s detective series Dempsey and Makepeace. The American actor is currently starring in A View From The Bridge by Arthur Miller, which played to audiences in Darlington recently and is touring the UK until May 2. Brandon will also be seen on BBC2 in May when the second series of Episodes with Matt Le Blanc is screened. He plays network head Elliot Salad. For more on Michael visit www.michaelbrandon.net or follow him on Twitter @MrMBrandon
What was your first car?
I bought my first car from my Dad. He had a garage in Brooklyn, New York. He had a different car every week, usually called the bombs. They were perfectly running vehicles he maintained for loaners while he repaired customers’ cars. At 17 I asked him to find me a car and the car he found was a ‘58 Buick Super. It cost me $300. I named it ‘the white elephant’. It had biggest backseat ever. It was a good car for a drive-in movie.
How many times did it take to pass your test?
My father taught me in an old ‘59 Ford taxi. He drove to a big cemetery and gave me the wheel. He said ‘you can’t kill anyone here, they're already dead’. I took driver’s education in high school so I got a junior licence at 17. I passed my first test in the UK as well in 1985. Bill Wyman and I drove at a charity function and one of us blindfolded the other giving directions. We scared the audience out of their seats. We cheated and had a great time.
Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?
I have two answers. One, Lewis Hamilton and the best 50 tracks in the world and two, my wife on a holiday driving through southern France.
What is your dream car?
I've always wanted a Porsche Carrera. I had a ‘64 Porsche cabriolet and the memories still shimmer. A new one would fit the bill.
How would you describe your driving style?
Fast cruising. I like a long drive, pretty scenery and peace of mind. A lot of people don't get into surrendering to the chauffeur within, and letting the road take you. American roads do that like Highway One up the coast of California.
Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?
I had a very unusual car. some called it an Apollo, others an Italia. It had a body by Pininfarina and an engine by Ford Shelby Cobra. It looked like a Ferrari and flew like the wind. Around 1976 a bunch of us with good motors drove up the coast in the early morning hours from LA to Edwards Airforce Base to watch the Shuttle take off. At times we averaged 145mph.
What are you listening to?
In the car it could be Neil Young, Miles Davis, The Boss, Eagles or Madonna.
What do you drive now?
I drive a BMW 650 Convertible. It is a good cruiser for going to the cities I am playing in The View from the Bridge currently. I also enjoy the school run which is 115 miles. It's a good time to relax. The trouble these days are the cameras and road works, which are spoiling the joy of driving. It's like when they fenced in the Prairies and men could no longer just ride across the plains.
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