Speeding rap for vintage car driver

Dave Stanisfield
You must be joking ... Dave Stanisfield with his Model T Ford
by Ben Glass
March 11, 2009

Bookmark and Share



A PENSIONER from Coventry was left baffled after being caught speeding … in an 86-year-old car.

Stunned Dave Stanisfield, 67, was snapped in his two-gear 1923 Model T Ford – a motor so dated it doesn’t even have a speedometer.

Driving home from a vintage car show, a Worcestershire speed camera caught him doing 35mph in a 30mph zone.

He said: “I didn’t think it could do 30mph. When it was new it could do 46mph but it’s nearly 90 years old now.

“I couldn’t believe it when I got the letter through the post. I was shocked.”

Dave Stanisfield with his Model T Ford
Dave Stanisfield with his Model T Ford

Mr Stanisfield, a semi-retired mechanic, said he was so baffled he went to court in a bid to avoid a ÂŁ60 fine and three points on his licence.

He said: “I couldn’t prove that I wasn’t doing that speed because I didn’t have a speedometer.

“But I was pretty sure I wasn’t. I’m an advanced driver and have great respect for the law and road safety.

“I’m no boy racer or Lewis Hamilton. I’m a 67-year-old man in an 86-year-old car. I don’t go racing about the place.”

Mr Stanisfield, of Mellowship Road, Eastern Green, said that when faced with the risk of further court costs he pleaded guilty to speeding at Worcestershire Magistrates’ Court.

He said: “I was travelling into Evesham from Cheltenham on a big wide road. It was a Sunday afternoon and there was no one about.

“I didn’t see the camera flash because the sun was so bright.

“In the end it was the wrong thing going to court because I still got three points and ended up paying £138 in fines and court costs.”

Dave Stanisfield with his vintage Model t Ford
No speedometer in this classic car

Mr Stanisfield said he bought the car ten years ago for ÂŁ1,000 and spent a further ÂŁ1,000 and 15 months renovating it.

He said: “It’s a lovely car. My mate’s daughter delayed her wedding twice so it would be ready for the ceremony.”

Mr Stanisfield’s car was snapped by the speed camera on September 21 last year.

Cars built before 1937 are allowed to drive on UK roads without speedometers.

Comments
Note: Comments are the views of site users and are not moderated. Please report defamatory or malicious statements.

Love Coventry logo
Find out why Twitter users love Coventry

Facebook logo
Become a fan

RSS feed
RSS feed

Coventry Bloggers
Coventry bloggers: Find out what they're saying about Coventry here