Model T, 1914

Mrs Catspaw and I came across this characterful Model T Ford - and its friendly young owner - in the car park after lunch at Tates of Sussex's South Downs Nurseries beside the A273 on the edge of Hassocks.

The owner happily explained that it was a 'Wide Track' Model T (with 60inch as opposed to standard 56inch axles to cope with the wider rutted tracks of the Southern US) from 1914 (he proudly lifted the seat to show us the actual date!) which he had got back into working order after it had been cosmetically restored by its previous owner.

When I politely asked what such a venerable old car was doing at the garden centre on a Monday lunchtime, the owner cheerily replied that he'd simply decided to take the car out for a run.