This week on Wheels & Deals, it's a listener special! I'm sharing some of the fantastic stories and comments you've sent in, answering your questions, and even launching a special appeal to track down the history of a very rare car.

We drive into the "dark arts" of the motor trade, explaining exactly why a dealer in the 70's might put sawdust in a gearbox or an egg in a radiator. We also share memories of the short-lived self-serve petrol pumps that took £5 notes, and the ingenious ways people found to get free fuel.

I'm launching a worldwide appeal to help a listener in Mexico, Angel Rivera, uncover the history of his very rare 1960 Mazda R360 Kei car. We have the chassis number and a few clues, but we need your help to piece together its story. And finally, we discuss the future of the motor trade and whether the classic car world is the last bastion of the "good old days."

Pitstops:

• Can you really fix a noisy gearbox with sawdust?

• Did you ever scam a self-serve petrol pump in the 70's?

• Is it sacrilege to put modern upgrades like electronic ignition on a classic car?

• A special appeal to help find the history of a rare Mazda R360 Kei car (Chassis/Engine: 70776).

• What does the future hold for the independent car dealer?

• Do TV appearances give classic cars like the Jaguar XJS a boost in the market?

A Nod to:

• Jason Hall

• Mike Smith

• Martin Buckley

• Angel Rivera

• And all the listeners who sent in messages and comments!

If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com.

Come Along for the Ride with Me at:

📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady

🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady

💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 — share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note.

Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts!

This week on Wheels & Deals, I'm joined by Richie Barnett, Markets Editor for Classic Car Weekly, for a look back at the classic car market in 2025. We discuss the standout cars of the year, the surprising market trends, and what we can expect to see in 2026.

We start with the incredible story of a 1933 Mercedes 380 Kompressor garage find that sold for £262,200, and debate whether it was a bargain. We also look at the sale of an ultra-rare 1990 Ford RS200 S for a staggering £382,500, and discuss why some cars continue to defy market trends.

Pitstops:

• The decline of Jaguar E-Type values and whether they've had their day.

• The great debate: will the Jaguar XJS ever have its moment in the sun?

• Are Jaguar XK8s a better buy than E-Types or XJSs for a trip to the South of France?

• The rise of usable and practical 90s classics like the Golf GTI and Peugeot 205 GTI.

• Are big-engined mainstream cars from the 90s the next big thing in the classic car world?

A Nod to:

• Classic Car Weekly

• Manor Park Classics

• Iconic Auctioneers

If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com.

Come Along for the Ride with Me at:

📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady

🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady

💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 — share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note.

Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts!

What are your predictions for the classic car market in 2026? Are there any cars you think are poised for a comeback, or any that you think will continue to decline? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

This week on Wheels & Deals, I'm joined by the legendary Mike Smith, from managing and driving cars for the Bond films to co-authoring the official Bond car book, Mike is a true Aston Martin aficionado who was even approached to present Top Gear. But his story starts long before Hollywood, with a childhood obsession that saw him racing stock cars at just 10 years old and throwing rubber plants across showrooms by 17.

Pitstops:

• Racing stock car Minis at 10 years old and nearly winning his first final before the petrol tank gave out

• Playing "Herbie" and spotting red, white, and blue Minis inspired by The Italian Job on family drives

• Getting secretly trained as a general manager at 16 while racing Audi Quattros

• How he took a rubber plant as a deposit on a car deal (and why he felt entitled to hurl it across the showroom)

• From BMW dealer to Bond insider: how knowing obscure car specs got him onto 007 film sets

A Nod to:

• The Saint's Volvo P1800 (and later Aston Martin)

• Corgi Toys with working steering wheels

• The Italian Job

• Ralph Renton's Renault dealership

• Manchester City FC

• Lionel Smith's dealership

• Roger Moore, George Lazenby, and the Bond legacy

If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com.

Come Along for the Ride with Me at:

📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady

🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady

💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 — share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note.

Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts!