Alex Forrest, Australia’s Best Cars judge and West Wheels columnist road tests new cars but loves the oldies.

ULTRA RARE MERC

MY CAR

My faithful 1968 Volvo 1800S. I've had it for 23 years. Part of my work at the RAC is road-testing new cars, so my daily car changes weekly. But I still love driving the Volvo because of the noise it makes, the smells of leather and hot oil, and the sense of being so connected to the mechanicals.

MY DREAM CAR

A 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada. It's such a low-slung, sensuous shape in the style of the classic 1960s Italian GT cars, but it has a Corvette V8. I'd also like a 1933 Invicta S-Type Low Chassis, a Bristol-engined AC Ace and a Maserati Khamsin, please.

MY FIRST CAR

The Volvo was my first car. I've kept it because of all the stories I've heard about people regretting selling their first cars. It was a rolling wreck when I got it.

I restored it in the mid-1990s and raced and rallied it in the years following. I have some fantastic memories attached to it.

REVHEAD RATING (1-5)