"MY first car in 1957 when I was 20 was a 1938 Talbot 10.

I had just sold the last of my old motorbikes that I'd ridden since I was 17 for £80 - a beautiful 1950 Norton Dominator.

With the £80 and £20 savings I had £100 for a car. I saw and wanted a Morgan three-wheeler for £150, but couldn't find the extra £50.

I saw and bought for £100 my Talbot from a small dealer. It had a touch of luxury, although the engine was worn, so I didn't go far and sold it for £50 eight months later.

The Northern Echo: MOTORING MEMORIES: Harry Whitehouse with his current car a Ford Mondeo. Picture: STUART BOULTON. (36549876)
MOTORING MEMORIES: Harry Whitehouse with his current car a Ford Mondeo. Picture: STUART BOULTON

I was emigrating to Canada to avoid the last two years of National Service.

In Montreal, where I lived and among all the American cars I bought a 1955 Hillman Minx. Then surprisingly I found a 90mph, 1952 Sunbeam Talbot convertible that became my pride and joy.

Sadly, 18 months later I had to leave it when I came back to England after two-and-a-half years.

After two months in 1961 I found another beautiful 1952 Sunbeam Talbot, but a saloon for £200.

After a dreamy ten days I swerved to avoid a drunk and wrecked it.

We rebuilt it over a year, but it was never the same so I sold it cheaply.

I've never lost my love of Sunbeam Talbots, but another has never come up.