John Egan has spent more money on his 38 year-old Ford Fiesta than he will ever see back from it (it has already cost him between €7,000 and €8,000 to restore fully) but at least he has the pleasure of being named owner of Ireland's oldest Ford Fiesta that is still roadworthy.
At an event at Weston Airport near Dublin recently, he and his girlfriend, Ciara Kinsella, were at the fore of a convoy of Fiestas driven by their loyal owners from around the country to mark the 40th anniversary of Ford's humble, but ever popular small car.
One that has afforded many their first experience behind the wheel and done more farm work that might ever been reasonably expected of a small car.
So what is it about the Fiesta that has people wanting to love and cherish it so much ? "It's priceless to me. It's a lovely car to drive and it was the boy racer choice in its day", says John, whose Fiesta fanaticism also brought him romance.
When Ciara went looking for an older Fiesta, it was John - a member of the same car club - who helped her find hers, and him. "I had been looking for one for a long time. They are little classics", she says.
When john found his 1981 car it had been laid up for 20 years and cost him €250: "I'll never sell it. I've put too much into it. I'm the ninth owner and I'll be the last".
Ford's MD, Ciaran Mc Mahon, made a special presentation to the couple: "I think that is the end of the classic Ford names that will reach that landmark 40th", he said.
