Being a hobby mechanic has taken many forms for Willoughby resident David Smith, and over the years he has shifted from motorbikes, to planes and now, to vintage cars.
Cars, in particular, have always been a passion for Smith and his 1974 Jensen Healy roadster is his pride and joy.
鈥淚 used to work on airplanes, but I got too old for that,鈥� he explained. So, in 2012, Smith started building a car collection with the acquisition of the Healy.
鈥淚 always thought it would be fun to own an English sports car,鈥� he shared.
Now, as an owner, he enjoys constantly working on the car, currently taking apart and replacing the transmission.
Looking for parts for his cars is almost like fitting together pieces of a puzzle.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 quite a nice car, but there aren鈥檛 that many of them,鈥� Smith explained.
The 鈥�74 Jensen Healy was a replacement for the Austin Healy, working with Jensen Motor Vehicles, according to Smith. Though the car was an improvement on the original, there were still troubles with the transmission and the car was taken out of production in 1975.
Now, however, this car is a collector鈥檚 item, and Smith has devoted five years of love and labour into repairing and restoring it.
Even now, he said the project isn鈥檛 finished.
The more work an owner puts into the car, the better the car becomes, according to Smith. He knows that when anyone first buy a collector car, appearances may be good, but sometimes what鈥檚 waiting under the hood is going to need a lot of TLC.
鈥淚t鈥檚 never done, there is always improvements to be made, and things to be maintained,鈥� he said.
While Smith has a few other cars that he is working on, the Jensen Healy is the only one that is currently drivable, and he is looking forward to showcasing it at the upcoming St. George鈥檚 British Motoring Show in Fort 黑马磁力 this weekend.
鈥淲hile at the show, I will probably drink lots of coffee and talk to people looking at my car, look at other cars, and talk to other owners about their cars鈥� It鈥檚 all about the cars,鈥� he said.
Smith enjoys meeting with other collectors, and always looks forward to showing off his Jensen Healy, and seeing what others have been working on.
This year鈥檚 St. George鈥檚 British Motoring show will also feature a Mercedes Benz G-Wagen that was captured during the Falklands War 鈥� one of 132 vehicles that was captured by the British in Argentina.
The St. George鈥檚 British Motoring Show will be held Sunday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort 黑马磁力 Community Hall on Glover Road with 80 or more British vehicles - free to the general public. Registration at.
