![Ant Anstead with Land Rover](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2017/12/15/TELEMMGLPICT000149426882_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqRsQ96jbOaYW17gWTZXzQfrSv68toMOwbKsW5fhqv6VQ.jpeg?imwidth=680)
My First Car: Ant Anstead - 'I built my first road car before I had a licence'
![Ant Anstead with Land Rover](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2017/12/15/TELEMMGLPICT000149426882_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqRsQ96jbOaYW17gWTZXzQfrSv68toMOwbKsW5fhqv6VQ.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Ant Anstead is more than your average car enthusiast. Best known for his bespoke car creations, TV personality Anstead is a world-renowned designer, artist, as well as a semi-professional football player. Leaving the police force at 25 to pursue a passion for motoring led him to begin building bespoke classic vehicles for enthusiast clients.
A total car nut, Ant's creations have gained him a global reputation, with museums and private collections displaying his designs.
Tell us about your first car...
It was an MG Midget, that I called Bridget. She was vermillion orange with a black soft-top that was so badly ripped it had to be covered in gaffer tape because it used to leak water in all the time. All my friends at the time had hot hatches, so Golf and Peugeot 205 GTis, and I was the only one that had a classic car.
![MG Midget](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2017/12/15/TELEMMGLPICT000149429819_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq2zN48BO5JXY8TsTjLP0Kc7ONIhXmATXc4xOVMXVjAHo.jpeg?imwidth=350)
I bought it because it was cool, although at 6ft 2in tall I didn’t look cool getting in and out of her. I had some real adventures in that car and would love to find her again.
How old were you when you first became interested in cars?
Earlier than I can remember. I was always one of those children that built cars out of Lego and Meccano. I built a go-kart from wood when was 12 or 13. I bought a lawnmower from a local flea market, dragged it home and took the engine out to put in my go-kart. I never did get it working, mind.
I have been bitten by the car bug ever since. I built my first road car before I had a licence.
What car or incident inspired your passion for cars?
It was never one specific car. I was always drawn to classic cars and as a kid would be able to name classic cars just by looking at them. I became fascinated by everything car-related and, as I grew older, I developed an interest for car mechanics. I guess it was just something that was in me when I was a child.
What was your first crash – if you’ve ever had one?
Sad to say I’ve had loads of crashes. I was 17 when I had my first ever crash, driving my brother’s Rover Metro. I took a corner too fast and hit a tree.
I’ve actually been involved in many, many crashes. I was even cut out of a Lotus Elise by the fire brigade. During my last race at the Silverstone Classic I rolled again. Whoops!
![Ant Anstead - Silverstone Clasic 2017 - Austin celebrity race](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2017/12/15/Ant-Anstead-at-the-Silverstone-Classic-2017_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqZoUHulVB0NnU8G61Pzr53chiYMJJrCZQNypS_m1yMvc.jpg?imwidth=350)
I’m also an ex-armed police officer so I’ve been involved in some big police crashes. And if you Google my Top Gear audition, I also crashed a brand new Mercedes C63 Estate during my audition… I never did get the gig! Bottom line is, don’t get in a car with me.
Which car do you own now?
My daily driver is a Land Rover Discovery 3. I also own a Ginetta G40 race car, a Nissan X-Trail, a 1965 Mustang, a Porsche 912 and another track car which is a one off special.
![Land Rover Discovery](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2017/12/15/Motor-Car-Land-Rover-Discovery-SVX_1_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqeUCWRGy72z0m5VjPUsHEEZamGd5pjXZHcGx2zTwrJF4.jpg?imwidth=350)
Which car do you most regret selling?
I bought an Aston Martin DBS in 2007/8. I took the engine and gearbox out and put them in another car which I sold at a scrapheap for £50.
Fast forward to now, these cars are worth about £150,000 at auction. So, yes, I got that one wrong.
And your most memorable experience in a car?
I’ve had so many. If I look back at my police career, I remember driving a marked police Volvo armed response car, chasing a stolen Porsche 911 with the roof down and the guy was throwing cocaine out the roof while doing 140mph. That was pretty memorable.
What is your dream car, money no object?
An Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato.
![Aston Martin DB4 Zagato](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2017/12/15/Aston-Martin-DB4-GT-Zagatos_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq7M5zeg3NKuf9jD_UDYG3RSyGFanOhoITzmo7f0fbBM0.jpg?imwidth=350)
What’s the worst car you’ve owned, and why?
My dad had a brown Austin Maxi with matching brown interior, and the reverse gear didn’t work. I can remember driving into town and getting stuck; my mates all had to get out the car to push me backwards to perform a three-point turn in a busy high street. Awful car.
What’s your biggest pet peeve when driving?
I can’t stand middle-lane hoggers!
What are your current projects?
I have just filmed a few new episodes of Wheeler Dealers. I also recently launched an electric vehicle which is a car I designed myself from scratch. I designed the chassis, the body, the styling and the interior – everything’s new.
I launched it in November and next year I’m shipping it to California, so the plan is to have it on the roads by the middle of next year.
I’m also fixing up the 1965 Ford Mustang I just bought.
The new season of Wheeler Dealers premieres on the Discovery Channel, January 1 at 9pm, and will feature a 1972 BMW E9, 1987 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1965 Austin Healey 3000, 1988 Jeep Wagoneer, 1973 Saab 96, 1982 Toyota Supra and many more.
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