I had some bad news recently: our new flat is one of London’s ‘car-free’ properties.
That means, aside from the one car parking space that the Volvo will claim once it’s back from the garage, the RenaultSport Clio 197 masquerading as our ‘practical’ reliable modern won’t be eligible for a parking permit and must go.
It was on the way anyway, in favour of more doors and a car to take the family strain off the Volvo. What this all means is the vague trawling of car sale classifieds and auction lots is even more pointless than it was before.
It’s especially bad timing because the ideal London hack seems to have appeared at this month’s Anglia Car Auctions sale on 24 August: a bargain two-tone Triumph Herald.
Hear me out. It’s ULEZ exempt, like the Clio but unlike the 30-year-old Volvo, and free from congestion charge – unlike both.
It might only be a two-door model – obviously, being a Herald – but it would be much more accessible than the Recaro-seated Clio. It supposedly has a later 1.5-litre engine (though it’s taxed as a 1.2, so viewing most certainly advised, as usual).
