A Somerset businessman's classic car provides him with a special association with his late father
A Somerset businessman's classic car provides him with a special association with his late father.
When Mark Sorrill drives his red Triumph TR4, it brings back fond memories of his Somerset childhood. His much-loved motor was built in the same year and is the same model and colour as the one that his father owned while Mark was growing up.
"Unfortunately my father died a couple of years ago and I spent my inheritance on the TR, but I think dad would have approved. For me, it evokes clear memories of Dad in that era," says Mark.
"I am a big car enthusiast and this oen is a joy to drive. A classic car is more challenging and exciting to drive than a modern car and you feel every lump, bump and twitch.
"I worked overseas for 12 years and the first year I came back to the UK I ran this as my only car. I even had the roof off all winder!
"It doesn't take a lot of looking after and people have this misconception that sports cars are expensive. I have spent little on it, apart from sevicing and MOT, and it doesn't require any road tax.
"The red TR is very much part of the family and is used as a general runaround, explains Mark, who lives in North Wotton near Glastonbury.
"The car is not pristine and I use it to run the kids to school and do the grocery shopping, without having to worry about it being scratched in a car park.
"People come up to em all the time to chat about it; there's a real camaraderie."
Mechanics in the nearby 'brilliant' Corner Garage work on thethe car for Mark and he also uses the same TR specialist as his father once did for his parts- Neil Revington from Middlezoy.
"he remembers Dad's TR, which is nice for me. neil has a thriving business and is a great example of a cottage industry in the county.
"I am a great supporter of Somerset businesses. I heard on the radio the other day that there are more business start-ups in Somerset than anywhere else outside London."
Mark, who ran a property company in thr Cayman islands for seven years, now runs Abode4 (www.abode4.co.uk), and works with British manufacturers to provide living space in the garden that does not require planning permission, which can be used as accommodation for guests, older children or elderly parents.
Mark's latest project is the Popup Hotel- luxury accommodation which functions like a hotel but can be moved to various locations such as festivals or countryside.
"The popup hotel is transient and will allow guests to get closer to the event or beautiful location," Mark explains.
"I used to go camping as a kid and I love the whole romance of it. We want people to come to Somerset and enjoy the whole experience- the local food, culture and the countryside, and be close to the essence of where you are."
