Wheels & Deals with The Old Car Lady

The Old Car Lady is back with Honest John Dixon for Part 2, going deeper into the South London motor trade of the 60s and 70s: the characters, the criminal crossover and the stories that didn’t make it into Part 1.
John bought an XJ6 in decorating overalls with a suitcase of cash, kept a shotgun behind his desk and knew the fraud squad detective who investigated him personally. This is what the motor trade actually looked like.
Featured Stories
Never Judge a Book by Its Cover: John walked into a Hendon showroom in his decorating overalls with a suitcase containing 50 grand. The salesman told him he couldn’t afford the XJ6 in the window. John counted out three grand in tenners and fives on the desk. He drove it home that afternoon and slept with his bed by the window to keep an eye on it.
The Shotgun Behind the Desk: Four men turned up at John’s Bury Road pitch looking to rob him. He put the shotgun on the desk and told them he only had one cartridge but one of them was staying. He has never seen three men run so fast. The gun was empty.
Going Straight in the Motor Trade: John did his stints inside, used the time to read and learn chess, then went straight into the trade. His view: you could earn more as a straight motor dealer than doing anything else.
The Fraud Squad, the Rolls-Royce and the Apology: A mis-typed chassis number brought the fraud squad down convinced John was ringing cars. When they realised it was a DVLA error the detective sergeant bought his wife flowers to apologise. He is now a chief inspector.
Rating Girls on Cars and Reading the Room: In the pub John and his mates rated women by which car they reminded them of. On the forecourt he switched accents and approaches mid-conversation depending on who he was talking to.
What You’ll Learn
Why the man in the Rolls is probably less wealthy than the man in the Cortina. Why zeroing a clock is less dishonest than knocking miles off it. Why the motor trade was the cleanest route from a shady past to a legitimate fortune. And why the Long Good Friday is about 80% accurate.
Key Questions
Was the motor trade genuinely intertwined with London’s criminal world? John says yes, but frames it as history. The motor trade offered a clean route to legitimate earnings for people who’d been operating in the grey. Most of them took it.
Could you really tell who someone was by what they drove? John’s answer is no and yes. Never judge a book by its cover, but you could read the room. The man who owned his Cortina outright was often worth more than the man sweating over the Roller payments.
What made South London’s motor trade different from Manchester’s? The characters were different but the mechanics were the same. Cash, trust, the ability to sell a teacup without a handle. John and Sam both agree the camaraderie that existed between dealers across the country is gone.
A Nod To
Part 1 of Sam’s conversation with Honest John Dixon, S1E35, which covers how John got into the trade, the Sid James Rolls-Royce and James Hunt’s car on the forecourt. R. Clarke Motors, still trading today with John’s son Chris. And Dave Ackrinian, now a chief inspector, who John says is one of the good ones.
Watch on YouTube: Part 2 Video 1 and Part 2 Video 2
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The Old Car Lady is joined by motoring journalist Richy Barnett for the May Auction Special, picking through the Manor Park Classic Sale on Saturday 23rd May.
They go through Richy’s picks, decide where they think they land against the estimates and then in Part 2 compare their predictions with the results - so stay tuned! ……..
Jensen Interceptor Vignale, Rover P6 with factory panoramic roof, Vanden Plas 4 Litre R, Renault Fuego Turbo, Ford Probe with 24,000 warranted miles and a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, Sam is at the sale in person, with a Live feed on Facebook.
Featured 
Rover P6 3500 V8 with Factory Panoramic Glass Roof: A Rover Triplex collaboration that almost nobody has seen in the metal. Two former keepers, the first owned it for over 40 years. 65,800 miles, no reserve, chrome grille, white, completely unmolested. Sam says she’s bidding if it stutters.
Jensen Interceptor Vignale Mark I: Coach-built in Turin, fewer than 1,500 made, most rotted away. Three owners, 80,000 miles, recent cylinder head and brake work. Guided at 18 to 20. Sam is doing a walk-around on the day.
Vanden Plas Princess 4 Litre R: The only non-Rolls-Royce car ever powered by a Rolls-Royce engine. 81,500 miles, near-new interior, stunning colour and a badge bar. Richy says he’d rather have this than a Shadow at 14 grand & Sam wouldn’t!
Ford Probe 2.0 16v with 24,000 Warranted Miles: Original, correct colour, glass sunroof, MOT to April 2027. The best 2.0 16v either of them has seen come to market. Guided at five to six, both think it could go over.
Renault Fuego Turbo 1984: Best-selling coupe in Europe 1980 to 82, now almost forgotten. Richie has the brochures. Sam wants it. 93,000 miles, spreadsheet history, yellow fog lamps. Guided four and a half to five and a half.

Key Questions
Are Interceptor prices finding their floor? Both think yes. A Series 3 with 22 grand of bills at 38 to 42 tells the story. The Vignale at 18 to 20 looks remarkable value.
Is the P6 panoramic roof car genuinely rare? Richie has only ever seen the Corgi Toys version. Factory Triplex glass roof, almost nobody knows it existed. No reserve.
Will the bank holiday hurt the sale? It might thin the room. Online and commission bidding should protect the best lots. Richie is going regardless.
Stella’s Rover 
Rehome Stella’s 1996 Rover 214 Si project car for just 50p.
Enter on Raffall by searching “Bring Your Trailer Classics or The Old Car Lady”.
https://raffall.com/422199/enter-raffle-to-win-1996-rover-214-si-project-hosted-by-bringyourtrailerclassics
A Nod To
Richy Barnett at @classiccarweekly and @thespecialsite on Instagram. 
Manor Park Classic Car Auctions, sale Saturday 23rd May. 
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This has been a Worth A Listen Production.

The MG Metro still sits in the top 10 best-selling British cars of all time. Over two million were made. And yet only around 30 to 40 MG Metro Turbos survive today.
This week Sam goes to see fellow dealer and Metro enthusiast Tim Ashworth of Stockley Classics, who walks her through three of his personal collection: an MG Metro 1275, a Mark 1 Turbo, and a Mark 2 Turbo. They cover the full story — from the Austin Metro’s launch in October 1980 as British Leyland’s “World Beater,” through the MG and Turbo variants, the K-Series Rover Metros, and the controversial NCAP crash test that killed the Rover 100 in 1998.
Along the way: Hydragas suspension and why topping it up with fluid destroys it, gearboxes that couldn’t handle 93bhp, the overhead turbo gauge that caused accidents, why foam-filled panels were a terrible idea, and how to spot a fake turbo before you hand over your money.
What you’ll learn:
The difference between Austin, MG, and Turbo Metros (and what you’re actually paying for)
What a decent MG Metro costs today (£6–7K) vs a Turbo (£10–12K)
The parts situation: what’s still available and what’s getting impossible to find
Why the Metro was designed to replace the Mini — and why the Mini eventually replaced it
Tim’s tips on buying, running, and the things that will catch you out
Timestamps:
01:00  The Austin Metro story — designed to replace the Mini
05:30  Hydragas suspension — what goes wrong and why
07:00  The Turbo — 93bhp pocket rocket and why the gearboxes blew up
10:00  The overhead turbo gauge that caused accidents
18:00  Prices — what MGs, Turbos, and Rovers are fetching today
25:00  The NCAP crash test and the end of the Metro
30:00  WIN a one-owner Rover 416 for 50p — Dogs Trust raffle
Guest: Tim Ashworth — classic car dealer and MG Metro collector
Mentioned in this episode: Metro Owners Club · Dodo Juice car care (code SAM10 for 10% off) · Raffall.com — search “The Old Car Lady” for the Rover 416 raffle (proceeds to Dogs Trust) and use code ROVERRESCUE for free tickets.
Connect:
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The Old Car Lady is joined by John Dixon, known as Honest John. He started cleaning cars at ten, bought his first banger at fourteen with no licence, and spent 40 years dealing from pitches and showrooms across South London and Kent.
This is a time capsule of the 70s and 80s motor trade: the tricks, the characters, James Hunt’s car on the forecourt, Sid James’ Rolls-Royce, the traffic warden and the bucket of water, and the fraud squad who watched him for months over a mis-typed chassis number.
Featured Stories
Cleaning Cars at Ten, Dealing at Fourteen: Too small to see over a bonnet when he turned up asking for work. By fourteen he was buying bangers from Exchange & Mart with no licence and selling them outside his house.
The Bug Under the Seat: John wired a listening device under the seats of his showroom cars. He heard exactly what customers said about price and part exchange, then used it against them before they even got to the office.
The Traffic Warden and the Bucket: A traffic warden outside the Dante Motor Company in Plumstead pushed John too far. He borrowed his car cleaner’s bucket and threw the whole lot over her. The street had a whip-round to pay his fine. He sold 50 cars that week.
James Hunt, Sid James and the Forecourt: John put James Hunt’s personal car on his forecourt to draw the crowds. He also bought and sold Sid James’ Rolls-Royce. Both photos are pinned on Sam’s Instagram.
The Fraud Squad and the Rolls-Royce: A mis-typed chassis number on a Rolls-Royce logbook had Scotland Yard convinced John was ringing cars. They watched him for months. The chief inspector eventually came down, shook his hand 

What You’ll Learn
Why you should always let an Exchange & Mart seller stew for two weeks before you call. How to clear a cheque in the same day and why that kills the buyer’s get-out. Why hiding the car after the deal stops the buyer’s mates talking them out of it. Why selling yourself before the car is the only philosophy that lasts 40 years. And why John was the poorest honest dealer in Kent and slept better for it.

A Nod To
John’s son Chris, who now runs the family business, for getting in touch with Sam. Peter Jarvis of Peter Jarvis Cars in Dartford, who John educated in the motor trade early on. And the Giles Book of Cartoons, which apparently featured a motor dealer on a wall waiting for a tractor after the traffic warden incident. 
Vintage and Classic Car Competitions: use code SAM15 for 15% off. 
Dodo Juice: use code SAM10 for 10% off.
📧 [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554
📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady
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👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Theoldcarlady
This has been a Worth A Listen Production.

The Old Car Lady is back with Max from The Tyre Kickers for Part 2. This time it’s about the cars they love now: E types, XJS, Silver Shadows and a Porsche 928 that kept catching the eye.
They go through the quick fire round, get deep on E types and XJS’s, debate original paint versus respray, and end with Sam’s dad’s 1984 stock book, with the day to day trade deals like a Merc 280 SE bought for £2,375 and sold for £2,800. Two Porsche 928s in the corner. And a spin in the Mercedes SL R107 to finish.
Featured Stories
How The Tyre Kickers Was Born: Max and Matt have known each other 30 years from Radio One Newsbeat. During Covid they were on Autotrader six hours a day. Matt said why not make a podcast. Episode 53 was recorded the week of this conversation.
The Silver Shadow Research Period: A year and a half of research, club membership and chassis number study. He very nearly bought one the week before recording. Sam is entirely encouraging this.
The Quick Fire Round: Cash or banking? Auction or private sale? Original paint or respray? Manual or auto? Barn find or concours? Short answers, strong opinions.
Dad’s Stock Book: January 1984. A 280 SE bought for £2,375, sold for £2,800. Cars that would be collectible today changing hands at prices that seem impossible now. Every registration number still traceable and Sam I’d planning a YouTube series around it.
Antiques on Wheels: Online banks wouldn’t take car traders so Sam opened one as an antique dealer. Technically accurate. Old stuff, easy to move. She stands by it.
What You’ll Learn
Why the series two E type 4.2 manual is the one to drive. Why a fresh respray on a classic is always a risk. How the CAP and Glasses Guides worked against each other but well together. Why building a history file from scratch can sometimes be as satisfying as inheriting one. And why the RREC build sheet is worth every penny.
Key Questions
Is original paint always worth more than a respray? Max and Sam both say yes, partly for the story and partly because a fresh respray hides as much as it reveals. You never quite know what it will look like in six months and it’s only original once!
Should you buy from a dealer or a private seller? Both come down firmly on the side of dealers and auction houses. The biggest crooks Max has bought from were private sellers. At least with a dealer there is a process and proper mediation if something goes wrong.
Is a car that’s been raced or modified still worth having? Max wants factory spec. Sam allows for safety upgrades where the case is clear. Both agree the story of the car is what you are really buying.
A Nod To
The Tyre Kickers podcast with Max and Matt on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all platforms. Find them at @thetyrekickersuk. The RREC, whose original build sheets are available for a small fee and are absolutely worth it. And Sam’s dad’s stock book and book collection which is going to be a YouTube series.
Vintage and Classic Car Competitions: use code SAM15 for 15% off. Dodo Juice: use code SAM10 for 10% off.
📧 [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554
📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady
🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady
👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Theoldcarlady
This has been a Worth A Listen Production.