Life in the Fast Lane

by admin , under Competitions, Interviews, Web Exclusives

WrightJohn Legendary motoring journalist, John M. Wright, talks to Penthouse about his new book, My Other Wife is a Car

What does your wife think about the title of your book?
She finds it amusing…and accurate.

What was your motivation for writing My Other Wife is a Car?
I’ve been obsessed with cars since the age of three – my parents have always been obsessed as well. I also wanted to contribute to the literature of the car, as opposed to the journalism of facts and figures.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met during your 30-year career in the automotive industry?
There’s been too many to isolate one, but they include the late Peter Wherrett, Frank Gardner and Geoff Polites. Apart from them, Peter Brock, Tom Pettigrew, Bob Miller and Evan Green.

What’s the most important factor to consider when buying a car?
Will you feel proud to own it?

In your opinion, what is the greatest car of all time, and why?
Again, I can’t just name one, but here are a few that stand out:

1. Audi Quattro, for introducing four-wheel drive to performance cars and changing rallying forever.

2. Jaguar XJ6, for its special beauty and sensuousness.

3. Subaru Impreza WRX, for taking supercar performance and features such as all-wheel drive, turbo-charging and a boxer engine into the affordable zone.

4. Citroen DS19 Goddess, for its radical beauty and advanced engineering.

And the worst?
1959 Fiat 500 convertible, 1970 Triumph 2.5 Pi, 1990 Citroen XM, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow.

Holden or Ford?
Once Holden, now Ford.

What’s the highest speed you’ve ever driven at?
Only 237km/h, I’m afraid, in a Jaguar XKR on an autobahn in Germany.

Best road trip you’ve ever done?
Five European countries in five days in the afore mentioned Jaguar XKR.

What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened to you in a car?
Jumping over the tyre wall at Eastern Creek in the 1995 James Hardie 12-Hour production car race, in my ill-fated Citroen BX 16 Valve.

What’s the best tip you can give car owners and buyers?
Read my book!

My Other Wife is a Car (Allen & Unwin) is available in bookstores nationally. RRP $26.99.