Your first car?
That was a Morris 10 convertible. I was 15 and I saved up to put a good deposit down. I used to make apple cases as a kid.
Your dream car ...
The one I have now.
Who taught you to drive?
My father taught me to drive and he was an extremely good teacher. I was 15 and it was in my hometown of Nelson. With my family, I taught them but they had a finish-off lesson with an instructor.
Manual or automatic?
Auto but with the manual option. The car I have now is automatic with a manual option; it's a sophisticated system. I tend to use automatic in the city but you can't beat manual on the open road.
How often do you clean your car?
Most of the time it is cleaned at the valet each week or fortnightly. Living in an apartment, it isn't that pleasant to do in the garage yourself.
Most memorable road trip?
Mine would be the trip we made in my first red Porsche to Queenstown from Auckland because we live in the most beautiful country with fantastic roads and back then there wasn't such a pedantic police force.
What do you listen to in your car?
CDs mainly and usually something cruisy. At the moment I have Michael Buble's latest and Tony Bennett, but often I like it to be quiet when I am driving.
Favourite day trip out of Auckland?
I have enjoyed going out through Whitford, Clevedon or Maraetai. It is a beautiful day drive through the week, not the weekend. Another good weekday trip is out to Helensville and Kaukapakapa.
Does what people drive influence how you perceive them?
I know it shouldn't but it seems too.
Would you rather drive in Auckland or take public transport?
I drive but what I probably tend to use most often is a taxi.
How do you keep your hair looking good with the top down in a convertible?
Well this current Mercedes is a convertible car; the roof is automatic and goes into the boot. It is my fourth convertible and I love them.
One was a classic Morgan Roadster and the roof never went on.
To keep your hair looking good, just have a good hair cut! But I am fortunate, I have thick hair and it can be blown about in the car and nothing happens to it.
Who else is allowed to drive your car?
Nobody has driven it yet as I have only had it for a few months; but my wife is allowed to. I've only had the roof down twice but I will do in summer.
What is the most annoying thing other drivers do?
Unlike many New Zealanders, I think New Zealand drivers are actually really good and I have driven in many countries. I don't let anything annoy me except occasionally a driver sitting in the fast lane doing 90km/h.
Bike and cars ... is there space for them both on NZ roads?
I believe there is plenty of room although cyclists should not ride in a bunch.
As told to Donna McIntyre
