155 (Type 167) 1993 - 1999

I wasn't even looking for a new car, but one evening in January 2024, scrolling absentmindedly on eBay in (as we've all done) I came across this stunning 155 and low and behold, it was only 4 miles away from my house, some say it's fate?

After getting the green light from her indoors, I went down to have a look ready to be disappointed. The chap selling it had owned it for only a few months, however unfortunately had to retire from driving due to ill-health. Before him, though the car was owned by Graham Robins for over 25 years!

Originally a Platts of Stoke courtesy car registered in September 1993, this 155 had a varied life ferrying customers to and from the dealership whenever their car was in for servicing and repairs. However, in 1996 with the brand new 156 on the horizon, it was sold to it's first owner, Mr Graham Robins and was cherished by him, always going back to the original dealer for any work required with no expense spared.

Interestingly, it was SORNed off the road between 2006 and 2017, then was ultimately sold in 2023 after some light recommissioning to a chap locally to myself after Mr Robins emigrated to Australia. The car has been garaged all it's life, and it shows. There's no rust anywhere on the car and the underneath is very solid. I'm not aware of any paint that it's had but I can't be sure, it certainly drives like new.

The stack of bills that came with the car is a testament to how well it looks and drives now. Thousands spent over the years (and that's including the time it was off the road) and I even have the original bill of sale from 1996 and a letter from Mr Platt himself to the first owner to thank him for purchasing the car, a nice touch rarely seen nowadays. I have had a couple of messages from ex-Platts mechanics (the dealership sadly closed it's doors in 2018) who fondly remember the car as they did the Mcdonald's run in it after the shop closed!

I only learned how rare this car is when joining AROC how rare this car is. As the less-popular narrowbody (pre 1995) as far as I know it's the ONLY pre-facelift 1.8 on UK roads today, according to How Many Left. It hardly covered any miles in the last few MOTs and it just over 70k now, I've put more miles on it in 6 months than it's had in the last 10 years! To be honest, it was quite lumpy when I first bought it and not running quite right but a can of Redex and an 'Italian' tune up down the M53 and it's absolutely spot on!

I've just had my 40th birthday and I've always gone without so my family go with, therein to say I rarely treat myself but I feel that this car is worth it and I can't wait to take it on loads of adventures!