Bill Calthrop talks to Chris Lowe, co-founder of Venues Unlimited, about his very rare car, an original TVR 1968 Tuscan V8 SE.

How long have you owned the car? I managed to get my hands on it about three years ago. This car has quite a history having been owned for more than 22 years by the same family from 1969. When the owner died, his widow sold it at an auction to a Bristolian who restored it and later sold it to me. So I am in effect only the fourth owner. It has only done 22,000 miles from new and is very rare in that over about a 12-month production period, only 12 right-hand-drive versions were built out of a total of 27, the left-hand-drives going to the US. Only two or three of the UK version are still known to exist. This car succeeded Griffiths 400, same engine but designed to be more luxurious with such nice little extras as wind-up windows and a heater and walnut dash!

Why did you decide to buy this car? I had previously owned TVRs which were quite fun, but wanted something a bit rare. I had, in fact, been looking for an original like this for more than 10 years when I found this one.

Does it have a name? Only if it doesn't start!

So what do you like best about it? Apart from its rarity, I feel I am preserving a part of our motoring history. I don't actually drive it a lot but I just enjoy it and the feeling of privilege in owning it.

What does the car tell us about you? Not a lot other than that it is part of my many collections so I suppose it tells people I like things that are different.

What do you like listening to on the car radio? Well, the car still has the original radio and with the car having a fibreglass body, it probably stills picks up the old Home Service! Seriously, in a car like this the only thing you listen to is the sound of the engine, which you hope will sound like the London Symphony Orchestra, always in tune!

When you vacuum the car, what sort of things do you find? A chamois leather is about all. After all, I rarely drive it more than 400 miles in a year.

Have you had any accidents in it? No, touch wood. But even with a reputed top speed of 160 mph, at 60 it can be quite challenging in some conditions. So we drive it very carefully.

Ever had a parking ticket in the car? Goodness me no, it doesn't go slow enough for that!

What do other drivers do that you hate the most when out in your TVR? Well, the truth is, most people are to interested in looking at the car to practice bad driving habits thank goodness!

How often do you wash it? Not that often.

Are smokers allowed in your car? No chance. There's enough smoke in the car with the huge amount of heat coming from engine and gearbox. This is an open window sort of car if ever.

So what is your dream car? None really at present, having recently taken delivery of a very lovely Maserati Spyder.

What famous person would you like to give a ride to in your TVR?

Michael Schumacher just to prove that he can't always come first!!!