Al Dunne, presenter of The Love Affair on Lite FM recalls his love affair with his first car a 1973 Ford Cortina MK3.
What was your first car and why did you buy it?
A 1973 Ford Cortina MK3. I bought it four months after my 17th birthday because I always wanted one.
Was the car new or secondhand?
Secondhand
Did you know how to drive when you bought it, or did you learn to drive in it?
I knew how to drive, although I hadn't taken a test. I used to practise in my parents' car when my mother was driving. She was easier to get around than my dad!
What did you know about cars when you bought it?
I'm a bit of a car anorak, so I knew quite a bit about them
What advice did you get when you were looking for a car?
Don't buy the first one you see. Make sure you get it checked out, and don't buy a Cortina! Unfortunately, I didn't follow this advice and bought the first car I saw, which was the Cortina.
What did you pay for it and what impact did running a car have on your pocket?
£500. It was very heavy on petrol but it did impress the girls - or so I thought!
Was it hard to get insurance?
No, but it was expensive. It cost the same as the car - some things never change for 17-year-olds.
How reliable was it?
Not particularly reliable. I remember the starting motor went once and I hadn't the money to replace it, so I had to park on hills all the time for a push start.
How did it change your life?
I didn't have to work at radio stations which were on a bus route anymore.
What was the longest trip you ever took in the car?
I think I went to Wicklow once. This was far enough when I wasn't sure if the car would get me back again.
What was your best memory or most memorable moment in the car?
Driving in the snow after the huge snowfall in January 1982 and having to work hard to keep control of the car. This was a new experience which I loved.
What was your worst memory associated with the car?
Maybe I'm getting old and seeing things through rose coloured glasses, but I can't remember any.
How long did you keep your first car and why did you decide to get rid of it for another?
I got rid of it because I couldn't afford to insure it again, plus it kept breaking down. A short time later my father gave me a Skoda Coupé so I was back in business again. You may laugh, but this one kept me on the road for 18 months and was more reliable than the Cortina. My colleagues in Q102, a Dublin radio station I worked on at the time, christened it the Batmobile.
Did you sell it on for a better deal?
Worst deal ever! It still upsets me to think about it!