Cars

When the Mazda MX-5 returned to the road late last summer, a knocking sound was traced to the alternator’s rear bearing. Briefly running the engine without the belt attached seemed to confirm that because the noise disappeared. Genuine Mazda alternators are expensive and I was considering settling for a second-hand unit, but fortunately I noticed on one of my frequent visits to its website that MX-5 Parts was stocking a new aftermarket version at a far more palatable price. One of the many advantages of owning the popular Mazda is the parts back-up on offer, and the alternator arrived the day after I’d placed the order.

It’s hard to believe that this month (May) marks the 26th anniversary of my acquiring the Galaxie. It being a 1964 car means that I have been its custodian for more than half of its life. Bought from the original ‘little old lady’ in Redondo Beach, California for the princely sum of $850 - less than £500 - it arrived at Felixstowe on a sunny spring day in 1988. The first thing I did is what I always do - wound down all the windows to emphasise the coupe’s pillarless roofline.

Following in the best coach-building tradition, Jaguar’s current XK is providing rich pickings for low- volume manufacturers. And the latest to jump on the bandwagon revives a famous name, as David Brown launches an eponymous firm with plans to build a luxury GT. The David Brown Speedback will be unveiled to the public in Monaco on 17 April. It is described by its maker as ‘completely original’ - despite the clear influence of the Aston Martin DB6 in its lines.