Wheels & Deals with Sam Grange-Bailey

The Old Car Lady
  • 5.0 (3)
  • AUTOMOTIVE

Welcome to Wheels & Deals, where we preserve the stories that shaped classic car culture. Join Sam Grange-Bailey, The Old Car Lady, as she takes you back to the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s, when car dealers were true characters, every motor had personality, and relationships meant everything. This podcast exists so that we don’t forget how wonderful this time was, so that these memories are preserved, these characters are remembered, and this remarkable period in automotive history continues to live on. So tune in, buckle up, and let’s make sure these stories never fade away.

  1. James Harding | From Suits to Spanners, Learning the Trade & Selling Forecourt Cars for £4k (Part 1)

    6D AGO

    James Harding | From Suits to Spanners, Learning the Trade & Selling Forecourt Cars for £4k (Part 1)

    Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for Part 1 of her conversation with James Harding from Chops Garage, a modern car dealer with a classic car soul. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who's ever dreamed of jacking in the corporate 9-to-5 to follow their passion. James tells the story of how, at 38, he walked away from a career as a national sales manager to start fixing and selling Fiat 500s from a rented garage bay. James gives a brutally honest insight into the realities of being a modern car dealer, from the public's "Del Boy" perception to the nightmare of consumer law. He explains why he'd rather sell a simple £4,000 Hyundai i10 than a complex modern car with a razor-thin margin and huge potential repair bills. It's a fascinating look at the pressures and pitfalls of the modern motor trade. Featured Stories The Corporate Burnout - How zoning out in board meetings thinking about welding an MGB made him realise he had to quit his sales manager job. The Leap of Faith - With a £12k payout and his wife's encouragement, he swapped his suit for a boiler suit and started his own car business. The Fiat 500 Years - Started by buying crash-damaged Fiat 500s from Copart and doing them up himself. The Silver Shadow Saga - Recounts the story of selling a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow to a buyer who spent an entire day inspecting it in a boiler suit, only to then demand an independent inspection. What You'll Learn How a childhood memory of a Citroën CX 25 GTI in France sparked a lifelong obsession with cars. Why he believes the public's perception of car dealers is completely at odds with the reality of consumer law. How the VAT margin scheme can leave dealers with a huge tax bill even if they make no real profit on a car. Why he refuses to do distance sales after getting badly burned. Why he thinks simpler, older-tech modern cars (like the Hyundai i10) are a safer bet for dealers than complex, feature-laden new models. Key Questions Is it possible to make a living selling cheap cars?James argues that while the margins are smaller, the risk is far lower. He focuses on simple cars that are built like older models (cable clutch, timing chain) which are cheap and easy to fix, avoiding the huge repair bills associated with modern complex cars. How has consumer law affected the motor trade?James and Sam discuss how the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which applies the same rules to a 60-year-old classic as a new TV, puts immense pressure on dealers. The 30-day right to reject and the assumption of a fault being present at the point of sale for up to six months makes selling used cars, especially older ones, a minefield. A Nod to Chops Garage on YouTube - Where James documents his life as a car dealer. Mad Mike from Wales - A classic car dealer who pre-filters customers by telling them his cars were "shit when they were new". Get in touch 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #ChopsGarage #CarDealer #MotorTrade #ConsumerLaw #ClassicCars #ModernClassics #TheOldCarLady #WheelsAndDeals #CarSales Produced By Worth A Listen Productions

    55 min
  2. Anthony Kearsley | Bill Gates' Audi, £50k Rolls-Royce Cushions & a Taxi for the Lama!

    MAR 13

    Anthony Kearsley | Bill Gates' Audi, £50k Rolls-Royce Cushions & a Taxi for the Lama!

    Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for her conversation with Anthony Kearsley, a well-known classic car collector, star of Channel 4's 'Handcuffed', and owner of Auto Couture. This episode charts Anthony's incredible journey from selling Austin Maestros in the Lake District to dealing with the rich and famous at Jack Barclay in London. Anthony shares hilarious and often unbelievable stories from his early days, including blowing up a customer's Metro, accidentally selling a Fiat X1/9 to a 17-year-old with no finance checks, and getting sacked for being "no good" at the job. We hear how his grandmother saved the day, landing him a new job at a BMW dealership and setting him on a path that would eventually lead to Seattle, where he famously sold Bill Gates an Audi instead of a Porsche 911!  Featured Stories The Austin Maestro Launch - Started his career on the launch night of the Maestro in 1983. The Blown-Up Metro - Mistook a customer's car for a demonstrator and thrashed it to Preston and back, blowing the engine. The £3.5m Handshake - Shook on a deal to buy a Honda dealership for £3.5m with only £100k in the bank. The £50k Rolls-Royce Cushions - A famous client complained her new Rolls-Royce Seraph seats were too hard. After two attempts and £50,000 spent on softer stuffing, Anthony finally told her what "hard" really was. What You'll Learn How a childhood spent selling imaginary cars in his uncle's Citroën dealership set the stage for a life in the motor trade. Why having assets doesn't mean you have cash. What it was like working in the US motor trade in the 90s (pure Pendle system). How he turned down the Starbucks franchise for the UK in 1989. Why he was ostracised by colleagues when he joined the Rolls-Royce division. Key Questions What was it like selling cars in the 1980s? It was a different world. Strict sales territories meant you couldn't sell to someone outside your area without permission. Cars were going up in value, and the launch of a new model like the Austin Maestro was a huge event. There was a real ceremony to the August 1st registration change. Who were some of your most memorable customers at Jack Barclay? Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black (hard work!), Princess Margaret (horrendous), the Dalai Lama (who asked for a taxi), and Julio Iglesias. Anthony learned that with very powerful people, you must stand up to them and not be starstruck. A Nod to Pilkington's of Bolton - His family's BL, Peugeot & Citroën dealership. Rayrigg Motors - His first job selling Austin Rover. Bateman BMW Windermere - His second job, where he fell in love with BMWs. Jack Barclay, London - Where his Rolls-Royce & Bentley career took off. Auto Couture - His current business: autocouture.co.uk. Get in Touch 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #AnthonyKearsley #AutoCouture #JackBarclay #RollsRoyce #Bentley #ClassicCars #CarStories #TheOldCarLady #WheelsAndDeals #MotorTrade Produced By Worth A Listen Productions

    40 min
  3. Simon Hope | The £10m RNLI Ferrari Story, Hope Classics & Historic Racing (Part 2)

    MAR 6

    Simon Hope | The £10m RNLI Ferrari Story, Hope Classics & Historic Racing (Part 2)

    Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for Part 2 of her conversation with Simon Hope, co-founder of H&H Classic Auctions. This episode centres on one of the most interesting stories in recent classic car auction history: the sale of Richard Colton's Ferrari 250 GT SWB and 275 GTB with proceeds to the RNLI, raising £10 million in a single sale for the charity. Simon also shares his thoughts on auction transparency, how to buy at auction like a dealer, and his exciting new venture Hope Classics. Simon explains how he won the Ferrari pitch against Bonhams, why he waived his commission, and how the sale transformed the Ferrari short wheelbase market overnight. We also discuss historic racing, why the people you race with matter more than the car, and how to get into single seater racing without getting a bum steer. Featured Stories The RNLI Ferrari Sale - Ferrari 250 GT SWB sold for £6.6m, 275 GTB for £1.9m, nearly £10m to the RNLI Lotus 49 at Buxton - Valued at £250k when rivals said £50-100k, sold for £367,000 The Man Who Bought Blind - NCA dealer who stood with his back to the car and bid with one hand The Jacket That Lost the Job - Simon wore a flamboyant striped jacket to a pitch and lost the consignment What You'll Learn How Simon pitched against Bonhams and won the RNLI Ferrari consignment Why he waived commission on £10m worth of cars How the Ferrari SWB sale changed the market overnight for comparable cars Why auction records are useful but dangerous if used as the only reference How to buy at auction with three prices in mind Why a car's file and history can be 50% of its value How to get into historic racing without being taken advantage of What Hope Classics offers and how Simon can help buyers and sellers Key Questions How do you value a classic car for auction? History and file are as important as the car itself. Sam works with three prices: the best she can get with the wind behind him, what she'd be happy with, and the minimum she needs to get out. Always factor in buyer's premium before bidding. Never rely solely on auction records as a price guide because condition, color, and provenance can swing values dramatically. What is Hope Classics? Simon's new venture at hopeclassics.co.uk offers free advice on which auction house to use for your particular car. He can also help buyers find specific cars, especially rare single seaters and historic race cars. His time is chargeable for more detailed consultancy, but the initial guidance is free. What's the secret to getting into historic racing? Choose the people you race with carefully. The team looking after your car should be the best available regardless of whether you like them. But the people you spend the day with, share the dinners and drinks with, and experience the whole event with, they need to be the right fit. Networking into the right circles first is essential. A Nod to Richard Colton - Owner of the RNLI Ferrari collectionRNLI - Received nearly £10m, the largest single donation in their historyDK Engineering - Sold a comparable Ferrari the same day the Colton car hammeredAdam Singer - Bought the Bentley 3-litre at Buxton, did the Peking to Paris with SimonHope Classics - hopeclassics.co.uk Get in Touch 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #SimonHope #HHClassics #Ferrari250GT #RNLI #HopeClassics #HistoricRacing #ClassicCarAuctions #PekingToParis #Lotus49 #TheOldCarLady #ClassicCarMarket Produced By Worth A Listen Productions

    29 min
  4. Simon Hope | 40 Years of Auctioneering, Setting Up H&H & The £6.6m Ferrari (Part 1)

    FEB 27

    Simon Hope | 40 Years of Auctioneering, Setting Up H&H & The £6.6m Ferrari (Part 1)

    Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for Part 1 of an in-depth conversation with Simon Hope, one of the Hs behind H&H Classic Auctions. With over 40 years in the auction world, Simon shares stories from his auctioneering career that started in the late 1980s, including setting up H&H with Mark Hamilton in 1993 and hammering a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB for £6.6 million in 2015 (still a world record for a steel short wheelbase). This episode explores how Simon went from buying antiques at 12 years old to running one of the UK's most respected classic car auction houses. We discuss consumer protection laws for classic cars, MOT exemptions, auction fees, and why you want an ascending or descending market but never a plateau. Simon explains why dealers are essential to auction houses, the importance of lot order, and his philosophy: "People buy from people." What You'll Learn How Simon started auctioneering at 12 buying antique job lotsWhy he walked into car auctions after running salvage auctionsSetting up Hampsons first classic car auction in November 1989The 1989 market crash and Japanese buyers committing harikariWhy H&H started with flat buyer and seller fees (revolutionary at the time)Finding Buxton Pavilion Gardens for £800 for four daysWhy auction houses prefer ascending or descending markets, never plateausThe importance of 80% sell-through rates vs industry standard 40%Why consumer protection laws don't work for 60-year-old classicsShould classic cars have mandatory safety checks?Key Questions Should classic cars be exempt from MOTs? Simon believes most classic car owners are responsible and check their cars regularly. The people who'd abuse the system aren't following the law anyway. Sam MOTs her Rolls-Royce Silver Shadows every 2-3 years for structural integrity checks because her kids ride in them, but it doesn't need to be an official MOT certificate. Do consumer protection laws work for classic cars? "Total bloody nonsense & bollocks." Treating a 60-year-old Cadillac the same as a Currys fridge freezer doesn't work. The laws protect buyers from bad sellers, but bad sellers will be bad anyway. Good sellers get caught in the crossfire. Classic cars need ring-fenced consumer protection that protects both buyer and seller. Why do auction houses prefer moving markets? "Earn on the turn." Whether prices go up or down, auctions facilitate transactions. If a car's worth £20k, you can't get £22k plus premium if five dealers have one at £20k. Descending markets bring more cars (people offloading) but lower commissions. Ascending markets are numerically better, but both work better than stagnation A Nod to H&H Classic Auctions  National Car Auctions   Get in Touch 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #SimonHope #HHClassics #ClassicCarAuctions #Ferrari250GT #AuctioneeringStories #BuxtonPavilion #MarkHamilton #ClassicCarMarket #ConsumerLaw #MOTExemption #TheOldCarLady #40YearsAuctioneering Produced By Worth A Listen Productions

    46 min
  5. Auction Special | Manor Park Classics | What Sold, What Didn't & Why!

    FEB 20

    Auction Special | Manor Park Classics | What Sold, What Didn't & Why!

    Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for a special auction episode recorded on Friday 13th February 2026, predicting results for Manor Park Classics' sale the following day.  Sam goes through her shortlist from a dealer's perspective, estimating hammer prices, then reveals actual results with insights from Jim Gregory (Sales Director at Manor Park Classics) and Richy Barnett (Markets Editor for Classic Car Weekly). This episode explores where the classic car market is heading in 2026. From a £5,750 Rover P6 V8 to a £10,350 Jaguar XJS that smashed estimates, Sam analyses what sold, what didn't, and why. We discuss the death of E-Type values, the rise of modern classics (1980s-2000s), and whether XK8s will leapfrog XJS as the affordable Jaguar. Featured Cars & Results Rover P6 3500 V8 (1972) - Mexico brown, single family ownership, sold £5,750Triumph TR7 Drophead (1981) - 30k miles, hammered £6,400TVR S2 (1989) - British Racing Green, sold £6,900Bentley Arnage Red Label (2000) - 146k miles, £31k service history, bargain at £8,280Jaguar XJS 4.0 (1995) - Guided £5.5-6.5k, smashed estimate at £10,350Mercedes 560 SEC (1989) - Sold £20,460BMW 328i Sport (1998) - Sold £7,590Alfa Romeo 156 - Sold £8,500, having a momentWhat You'll Learn Why service history matters with higher mileage cars and why high mileage cars can be a better bet than low mileage.How to spot auction bargains (Bentley Arnage at £8,280)Why E-Types have fallen and won't bounce backThe sweet spot: £7-25k for monthly sales, £50-100k strugglingWhy 1980s-2000s modern classics are the hot decadeHow finance deals put exotic cars everywhereWhy leggy but maintained cars beat garage queensThe importance of MOTs even on exempt carsKey Questions What's hot and what's not in 2026? Hot: Modern classics (1980s-2000s BMWs, Japanese cars), Porsche Boxsters/Caymans, XJS straight-sixes, TR7s, Alfa 156s. Not: Pre-war to 1950s British cars, E-Types fallen and won't recover, £50-100k cars struggling. The market shifted from cash buyers to finance deals making exotics accessible to everyone. Are XJS values finally rising? Yes! The £10,350 XJS (guided £5.5-6.5k) proves the market is waking up. Jim Gregory and Richie Barnett agree they're having a moment. Question: will XK8s leapfrog them as the affordable Jaguar, or will XJS become the E-Type successor? What makes a good auction buy? Single-family ownership, full service history, current MOT (even if exempt), regular use, original spec, right colors. Avoid: cars needing recommissioning, anecdotal mileage, wrong colors (beige Mercedes 190E didn't sell despite being perfect), high estimates leaving no trade margin. A Nod to Manor Park Classics Runcorn Cheshire  Jim Gregory and Richy Barnett. Get in Touch 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #AuctionSpecial #ManorParkClassics #ClassicCarAuction #JaguarXJS #BentleyArnage #RoverP6 #TriumphTR7 #Mercedes560SEC #ClassicCarMarket #2026Market #ModernClassics #TheOldCarLady Produced By Worth A Listen Productions

    54 min
  6. Martin Buckley | Teenage Author, Facel Vega & Why a Brochure Might Be the Wiser Choice

    FEB 13

    Martin Buckley | Teenage Author, Facel Vega & Why a Brochure Might Be the Wiser Choice

    Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for a conversation with Martin Buckley, motoring journalist and classic car author whose first book was published when he was just 19. Martin has written over 20 car books including the acclaimed Facel Vega volume, and his passion stems from his parents' collection of rusty BMWs, Lancias, and Jaguars. This episode explores how car books shaped Martin's career. From his first books about BMW E9s to writing the Facel Vega history (dealing with sniffy French owners' clubs), Martin shares stories about swapping price tags in Manchester bookshops and why sometimes it's better to have the brochure than the car. We discuss Italian design versus German engineering, why the BMW CS is the perfect shape, and why exotic cars are everywhere now. Featured Books BMW The Bavarian Motor Works by Michael Frostick - Martin's first proper car book The MG File - Martin's first published book at age 19 Facel Vega (Palawan Press) - Martin's masterpiece, £750 when published British Leyland The Truth About the Cars by Jeff Daniels (1980) - Brilliant BL decline account Jaguar by Paul Skilleter - Where Martin learned Jaguar history The Controversial Corvair - Ralph Nader's "unsafe at any speed" story What You'll Learn How Martin published his first book at 19 years oldWhy BMW E9 CS is the perfect shape - part Italian, part German, masculine and feminineThe story behind the Facel Vega book and hostile French owners' clubsWhy Italian designers beat German ones (they made suits of armour first)How Martin's parents' rusty exotic cars shaped his careerWhy it's better to have the brochure than the car sometimesWhy exotic cars are everywhere now (finance deals, not cash buyers)Key Questions Should an author's opinion come through in car books? Yes - readers want new information, not regurgitated facts. The best books interview people who were actually there. Martin wants books with soul, like Jeff Daniels' British Leyland book capturing the tumbleweed moment when they unveiled the Austin 3-litre disaster. Why are Italian designers better than Germans? Italians were good at making suits of armour and bashing metal over stumps for centuries. They have design houses like Bertone and Pininfarina. Germans prioritise practicality over beauty. Even pretty Mercedes were designed by Italians. The BMW E9 CS was probably designed by Gandini - too good to be German. Did your parents' cars shape your career? Absolutely. Martin's dad bought rusty exotic cars for £1,500 in the 1970s - BMW 2800 CS, Lancia Flavia, Jaguar S-Type, Fiat 130. They were symbols of a way out, cars that shouldn't have been on their road. Martin says "I wanted to get in these cars and f**k off." A Nod to Palawan Press - Published Facel Vega bookSt John Square Manchester - Where Martin swapped price tagsChaters Bookshop Manchester - Specialist car book shopJeff Daniels - Autocar journalist, British Leyland book authorPaul Skilleter - Started Practical Classics Get in Touch 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #MartinBuckley #CarBooks #FacelVega #BMWE9 #PalavanPress #ItalianDesign #ClassicCarAuthor #MotoringJournalist #BritishLeyland #TheOldCarLady #RustyExoticCars Produced By Worth A Listen Productions

    32 min
  7. Richie Barnett | Car Books, Italian Styling, American Engines, Gangsters and Showbiz

    FEB 6

    Richie Barnett | Car Books, Italian Styling, American Engines, Gangsters and Showbiz

    Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for a conversation with Richy Barnett, classic car enthusiast, book collector, and Markets Editor for Classic Car Weekly. Richy’s career started at Chaters Car Bookshop, and he now curates what must be one of the most impressive car book collections in the country with a whole room fitted with bespoke bookcases. This episode explores the golden age of car books when they were treasured birthday presents and the only way to learn about exotic cars. We discuss rare editions, 1960s car book illustrations, and whether we're the last generation to value physical books. From Ian Rimmer's Rolls-Royce Experimental Cars masterpiece to Simon Kidston's limited-edition Lamborghini Miura book (now worth £3,500), Richy shares his favourites and explains why Italian styling with American engines creates the perfect car. Featured Books Rolls-Royce and Bentley Experimental Cars by Ian Rimmer (1986) - Masterpiece with beautiful writing The Complete Book of Lamborghini by Pete Lyons - Bought from Chaters in 1989 for £17.20 Lamborghini Miura by Simon Kidston - Limited edition, one per chassis number, now £3,500 A-Z of British Coachbuilders 1919-1960 - Gurney Nutting speciality Facel Vega by Martin Buckley (Palawan Press) - £750 when published What You'll Learn Why 1960s car books featured beautiful illustrations instead of photographs How the likes of Chaters Car Bookshop shaped a generation of enthusiasts Why Italian styling with American engines creates the perfect hybrid (AC 428) The DNA of Audi from Auto Union and Nazi connections to modern cars Why physical books are more trustworthy than Google for research How Simon Kidston's Miura book went from cover price to £3,500 Key Questions Are we the last generation to value car books? Richie believes younger enthusiasts will still seek out books, but the ritual of saving pocket money and treasuring them as birthday presents is probably gone. Quality publishers like Palawan Press prove demand exists for beautifully researched car books. What makes a great car book? The best books tell stories about people behind the cars. Quality writing, beautiful illustrations, thoughtful typeface design, and proper binding all matter. Books like Ian Rimmer's Rolls-Royce experimental cars are written "with soul and love" not just facts. Why are some car books worth thousands? Limited editions like Simon Kidston's Miura book or Martin Buckley's Facel Vega become collectible because they're beautifully produced and cover desirable subjects. The right book on the right subject always finds buyers. A Nod to Chaters Car Bookshop - Where Richy’s career started Classic Car Weekly - Richy’s Markets Editor Palawan Press - High-quality motoring book publishers Simon Kidston - Limited-edition Miura book author Ian Rimmer - Rolls-Royce experimental cars author Martin Buckley - Facel Vega book author Get in Touch 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #RichieBarnett #ClassicCarBooks #ChatersBookshop #ClassicCarWeekly #CarBookCollector #AC428 #FacelVega #LamborghiniMiura #RollsRoyceExperimental #PalavanPress #SimonKidston #MartinBuckley #TheOldCarLady #MotoringSBooks #CarBookIllustrations #booktok #classiccars Produced By Worth A Listen Productions

    40 min
  8. Albert Walsh | 55 Years in Prestige Cars, Racing E-Types & The Motor Trade Prostitute

    JAN 30

    Albert Walsh | 55 Years in Prestige Cars, Racing E-Types & The Motor Trade Prostitute

    Join Sam Grange-Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for a conversation with Albert Walsh, a veteran of the motor trade with over 55 years' experience. Albert is a well-respected member of Porsche Club GB, regularly consulted for pre-purchase inspections, and a consultant for Manor Park Classics Auctions. This episode takes you through Albert's journey from driving at 13 in his dad's garage to working for the northwest's most prestigious dealers including Ian Anthony's Porsche Centre, Mercedes-Benz, Bauer Millet, and Bentley Ribble Valley. Albert shares stories about the glory days when customers paid in briefcases full of cash and Friday lunchtimes meant racing E-Types down the East Lancs Road. From his first car (a sit-up-and-beg Ford Pop) to his beloved 1986 Porsche 911 Super Sport Targa, Albert's collection includes British, French, and German classics. We discuss dodgy dealers, celebrity car deals gone wrong (including David Beckham's TVR Cerbera), and why the 1980s were the heyday of the independent motor trade. Featured Cars 1968 Volkswagen Beetle 1500 - Albert's first legal car, written off on Cross Ply’s in the snow 1986 Porsche 911 Super Sport Targa - Bought for £11,750 in 2000, sold for £16,000 2CV - Red one-owner example bought from Ian Anthony's for £1,200 Mercedes-Benz W124 estate in Red - Albert's favourite Mercedes, "the fire engine" Citroën SM - Fastest front-wheel-drive production car of its time Lotus Elise - Albert's speciality, ran his own Lotus repair business What You'll Learn Why the 1980s were the heyday of the independent motor trade How Ian Anthony's operated waiting lists over a year for new Porsches The truth about pre-purchase inspections and spotting cut-and-shut cars Why customers who "need to check with the wife" never come back How Martin Inghams’s Autotrader adverts became legendary The art of "borrowing" stock cars for classic car shows Key Questions What makes a good pre-purchase inspection? Albert uses paint depth gauges, axle stands, and decades of experience to spot welded repairs and hidden damage. The best dealers have nothing to hide. Trust your instincts - if something feels wrong, it usually is. Who were the big characters in the northwest motor trade? Martin Ingram  (legendary adverts), Lawrence Millet (gentleman dealer), Ian of Ian Anthony's fame  (forward-thinking Porsche dealer), Len Taylor (threw rude customers out), and mechanics like Albert's dad who could diagnose faults by ear alone. What was the worst car you've inspected? A Porsche Boxster that had been cut-and-shut with welded inner wings, a 997 with piston slap the dealer claimed was "just a lazy tappet," and cars with missing spare wheels and keys the owners swore were "in the garage somewhere." A Nod to Ian Anthony's Porsche Centre - Premier Porsche and BMW dealer Mercedes-Benz - Where Albert learned the W124 inside out.  Bauer Millets - Lawrence Millet and Chris Bauer's exotic dealership. Bentley Ribble Valley - John Ashworth's Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Lotus dealership - his son Stephen Ashworth is the founder and Chairman of Manor Park Classics. Kinsey Jones - Top Lotus dealer in Europe. Martin Ingram - Independent dealer with legendary Autotrader adverts. Porsche  Club GB - Albert served as Register Director and Chairman of Motorsport. Get in Touch 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady  #MotorTradeStories #PorscheClubGB #EnsorMercedes #BaronMillet #MartinHam #ClassicCarInspections #Porsche911 #LotusElise #MercedesW124 #CitroenSM #2CV #1980sMotorTrade #NorthwestDealers #TheOldCarLady #ClassicCarDealer Produced By Worth A Listen Production

    56 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Wheels & Deals, where we preserve the stories that shaped classic car culture. Join Sam Grange-Bailey, The Old Car Lady, as she takes you back to the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s, when car dealers were true characters, every motor had personality, and relationships meant everything. This podcast exists so that we don’t forget how wonderful this time was, so that these memories are preserved, these characters are remembered, and this remarkable period in automotive history continues to live on. So tune in, buckle up, and let’s make sure these stories never fade away.

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