THE ONE OWNER FROM NEW TALBOT SOLARA MINX

One of the most intriguing forms of classic car to write about is one that has been a member of the same family since the beginning. Ms. Ros Hawke has owned her Solara Minx for over 36 years, and, quite incredibly, her fleet also includes a second example. The four-door version of the Alpine made its bow in April 1980 as the overdue replacement for the Chrysler Hunter, which ceased production in 1979. But unfortunately, it never enjoyed commercial success, and Talbot ended manufacture in late 1985. Sales finished in early 1986, and the last-of-the-line versions employed revived names from the Rootes Group era – the entry-level Minx and the more luxurious Rapier.

And on 4^th January, Ms. Hawke acquired a 'Cascade Blue' Solara Minx from J.W. Prew & Sons Ltd. of Duckling ton in Oxfordshire. As she explains:

I chose it because my husband still had one, which I really liked - also, it was what I was used to driving. Some years later, I had the opportunity to have another one and thought that if needed, I could use it for spares to keep my favourite one on the road, so I bought it. Sadly, it disappeared outside a friend's unit in Scotland on 18^th July 2008. I desperately needed to replace it, but with there not being many around, my first point of contact was with the Secretary of the Simca Club.

By pure coincidence, the relative of a Solara Rapier owner who had recently passed away had contacted the Club Secretary. "I was given this person's details, and I contacted him straight away and made arrangements to view the car". So, on 25^th August 2008, Ms. Hawke travelled to Gloucester to view the duotone red and silver Talbot. The vendor told her the original owner bought it new when he was in his seventies, and it had only 25,000 miles on the clock. "It did have a bit of damage, but it was not that bad. After taking it out on a run I came home to discuss with another enthusiast, and I collected it on 31^st August".

One initial problem with the Solara Rapier was with the carburettor. Fortunately, Ms. Hawke managed to obtain an unused one fitted for her by a retired specialist who lived nearby. The next step was the repair and respray of the bodywork, and today it is an everyday car, while the blue Solara Minx is more of a show car. Over the years, both Talbots have undergone further work, but "they still go as well now as when they were new".

As for the standard reactions, they range from 'my Dad used to have one of those!" to the equally inevitable "I haven't seen one of those in years". This is unsurprising as just 11 Solaras are believed to be on the road. Of these, only three are the Minx, and a mere two are the Rapier. And this duo of very exclusive Talbots more than fulfil the brochure's claim of providing "distinctive family transport".

With Thanks To – Ms. Ros Hawke