Top tips for trading in your vintage treasure for something modern and reliable. 

You’ll know when the time is right. Only do it when deep down you know it’s the right thing to do. I had eleven years with my Clive, my Danbury Bay T2 and never thought I’d be able to part with him. However, the day came when I knew deep down that I wanted a bit more comfort, less rusty bodywork stress and the confidence to traverse Europe. It’s a rite of passage moment, up there with accepting that your favourite radio station is Radio 4, preferring one glass of decent red wine over three cheap ones and hitting the peppermint tea instead of the whisky at the end of a dinner party. 

Advertise everywhere you can for free. Make time to take great photos and sell the dream. We ended up selling Clive because it was spotted locally on Facebook Market Place. Someone who lives less than a mile away had their brother staying with them for the weekend and it was just what he was looking for. He paid a grand more than we paid for it eleven years ago.  

Grieving is okay. When my Clive disappeared off up the lane, so did memories of my daughters’ Proms, music festivals and countless family holidays. However, we have photos and videos and that chunk of old metal will always be part of our family’s soul.  

Enjoy your new life. We bought our VW Transporter from some friends who’d bought it during lockdown but it was a bit of an impulse buy that hadn’t worked out. It is now our second car and we can’t wait to enjoy years of adventures and exploration.