John Spillane, musician tells The Irish Times about his first car.
What was your first car and why did you choose it?
My first car was a Fiat Uno, I put the word out, and a mechanic I know called Ger "The Fan" found it and recommended it to me.
I called it Betty Gluaisteán, and it also had a tune in its name, which was a slow jig composed by Niall Vallelly of Armagh on the concertina, and which appeared on Nomos' second album Set You Free!
How old were you when you got it?
I was 30 years old, all my friends had been driving for years, but I was a poor musician with no money.
What's the difference between a musician and a pizza? A pizza can feed a family of four.
How much did it cost?
It cost £1,600; it was five-years-old, but I felt I could trust Ger the Fan because he's sound.
What difference did it make to your life (and your pocket)?
It was very exciting having a car and I travelled like mad around west Cork to the beach and the woods and other places.
It came to a bad end upside down in a ditch in Tipperary when a man I was overtaking suddenly decided to turn right, without looking in his mirror or using the indicator.
What's the longest trip you ever took in the car?
The longest trip I ever did was from the middle of the road to upside down in the ditch.
What's your best memory or most memorable moment in the car?
I had it about four years and my best memories are driving down to see my baby when I was in love and driving home when I was in love. Love rules.
The worst was the crash, and and it was two years before I got another car.
What do you drive now and how does it compare?
I've had three cars since then: two Passats, 1986 and 1987.
Now I have a 1997 Nissan Almera and I don't know myself in it; such luxury, happy days. I've come up 10 years in one fell swoop.