TERRY Deary is the author of the award-winning childrens’ books, Horrible Histories among many others. The Sunderland-born writer’s car history is equally as compelling.

Now living in County Durham he also writes for theatre and radio and is patron of Single Homeless Action Initiative in Derwentside (SHAID), the Grace House Children's Hospice appeal and Integrating Children - a charity that provides support to children and young people with disabilities.

For more details on Terry’s books visit www.terry-deary.com.

WHAT was your first car?

The first car I owned, in 1969, was a 1959 Ford Anglia. I was a student. It cost me £30, had a door that had to be held shut with a trouser belt, a rusty rear wing that fell off when a dog ran into it – the car came off worse than the dog, don’t worry - it had a three-speed gearbox, used more brake fluid than petrol and ran on bald tyres at 90 mph. May be illegal today. Just a bit.

HOW many times did it take to pass your test?

Passed first time in 1965 … maybe. A friend of my dad claimed to have influence with the Sunderland equivalent of the Mafia. He assured me he’d have a word with the driving examiner and I would be guaranteed a pass, know what I mean? I DID pass, but because I was a good driver? Or because of coercion? I’ll never ever know. Bribing examiners is probably illegal today as well. Oh dear.

WHO would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you like to go?

My Dad. He was very ill when I passed my test in 1965 and died just two days later. He loved cars and taught me the mechanics of DIY repairs. Sundays were his only day off from his butcher shop and he’d take me and Mum for drives in the summer in the little Austin A35 delivery van. We’d stop for picnics with a primus stove that produced a lot of swearing and awful tea. Somewhere like the North York Moors was a long run in the Sixties. I’d like to repay the compliment and take him back there.

WHAT is your dream car?

I’m torn between two cars I actually owned – an MGA 1600, beautiful and reliable. Or a TR3A, super-fast in a straight line, flappy perspex side-screens and hairy on corners. If you twisted my arm I’d take the MGA, convertible in Tartan red (please).

HOW would you describe your driving style?

Getting conservative in my old age and driving with an eye of the mpg trip computer! Not quite flat-cap and pipe-smoking Sunday driver, but not someone I’d like to get behind. Road rage is a thing of the past for me … but I still won’t let a BMW driver out at a junction.

TELL me one driving anecdote from your past?

Driving home to Sunderland for Christmas 1972 from my acting job in mid-Wales. I was by-passing Derby as it grew dark and started to snow heavily. An MGB doesn’t like the snow. It was a struggle and a strain to keep it on the road. I turned on the radio to hear Bing Crosby sing “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” … which I wasn’t. It was all I could do to stop myself putting a boot through the radio speaker.

WHAT is playing on your in-car iPod or CD player at the moment?

I tend to prefer the radio or, on a day-trip away, let my wife’s i-player selection run. Music like Bruce Springsteen … yeuch … but at least it saves having her criticise MY tastes in music.

WHAT do you drive now?

A 2012 Mini Cooper SD. Boring, unreliable – every one of the five new Minis I’ve had has broken down in the first 1,000 miles – but I believed the claims of the high MPG for this Cooper S Diesel which turned out to be unattainable. I could change it, I know, but there isn’t a modern car on the market that inspires me. They’re all as exciting and distinctive as Dolly the Sheep.