The typical classic car is a pampered thing driven lightly in summer and tucked up in winter with only a trickle charger for company. But not so Simon Edwards’ Lotus Elan S1 +2S. The 54-year-old sports car is Simon’s only motor, and because he lives in a flat, he parks it outside in a resident’s bay where it stays come rain or shine.
Partly as a result, its yellow glassfibre body looks a little tired, but Simon isn’t too bothered. “If I fixed it, I’d get too precious about the car,” he says. “I then wouldn’t drive it as much, and so I’d have to buy a second car to compensate. I like that it’s ageing gracefully and, whatever the weather, I drive it without worrying.”