Classics Monthly Magazine

Elaine's Type 3 Fastback – Photo shoot for Classics Monthly Magazine June 2005

 

I was recently approached by Roy (FASTY) from the club to see if I was interested in doing a 3 car photo shoot, Roy has just had fame with his Fastback in VW Motoring and due to this he was unable to put his car forward.

I contacted Michael Renault and offered my 71 1600 injection fastback (Ferdinand) as an alternative.

I sent a few pictures I had luckily taken the previous day and Michael was impressed with them saying that they are in a similar vein to the ones they like to include in the magazine, and that my car would be ideal.

Crikey now I started to worry. Was the car good enough? Photos can be deceiving. Anyway too late to worry about that one, I was committed.

It was at this time that I had ordered some lovely new shiny wheel trims and some pressed metal number plates. Would they be here in time and fitted to the car? Hooray the wheel trims arrived the night before although I did have to trek over to Thatcham at 7pm at night to collect them. Unfortunately the new plates didn't.

The evening before I spent time madly polishing chrome bits!! Setting my alarm for 6 am on the day to busy myself with cleaning the car.

Once the car was looking good it was time to quickly get myself polished up. The car in the end had more time spent on it than I did!!!!

I set off from Reading and arrived at the Travelodge in Penwood about 50 minutes early!!! At least it was better than being late; rush hour traffic is never reliable.

Eventually the other classic cars that would be taking part in the 3-car photo shoot turned up.

The Fastback was placed alongside an Imp Stiletto and a Skoda so that the 3 chosen represented cars with a fastback body shape and rear engines. Once the Journalist and photographer turned up it was time to drive to a scenic location for the start of the shoot.

The shoot involved the three cars being included in a variety of group shots as well as individual photos and engine and interior shots. During this time it was a good opportunity to be interviewed and spend time chatting to the two car owners.

Then it was time to move on to a location where action shots could be taken. It was decided that cornering shots and the test drive by the journalist would be next.

Oh the fun of driving around in a triangle avoiding sharp corners and tractors, oh and the photographer Matt!!!! who appeared totally unperturbed by the site of a car driving towards him at 30 miles an hour.

Unfortunately this bit was slightly problematic for me as the car has recently been lowered and the tyres kept rubbing on the front panels…. Slimmer tyres are definitely needed.

After this bit of fun it was time to eat. Phew a sit down and further chat at the local Little Chef was a welcome break. It's amazing how an early start combined with muchos talk about classic cars can be so tiring.

During the meal we were asked to fill in a tech sheet on our cars including all sorts of information. Unable to complete some of it meant that homework was needed to enable Mike the journalist to have all the facts.

After our meal and much chatter it was then time to do the final piece of the shoot. Before doing this last bit it was time to say our goodbyes, exchange some phone numbers and receive a free magazine. Thanks Mike and Matt.

All three cars then headed towards the motorway to enable some side on shots of the cars moving. Its quite amazing how many risks photographers take to get a perfect shot. Matt the photographer proceeded to pass by us in a BMW with his head poking out of the window. It must have looked very strange to most of the drivers nearby.

At this point we all went our separate ways and it was time to think about the journey home.

Now it is all down to waiting for the finished article to see what impression has been given of our 3 very different cars.

Fingers crossed that the type 3 truly shines.

Elaine Pidgeon (Pidge)
 
 


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