A VINTAGE car driver was left bemused
when he was hit with a speeding fine - he didn’t believe his
86-year-old car could go faster than 30mph!
Dave Stanisfield, of Mellowship Road, Eastern Green, drives a white 1923 Model T Ford which he rebuilt himself 10 years ago.
But this is the first time he has ever been caught driving over the speed limit.
He
said: “When the car was new it could hit 43mph top speed, but that was
86 years ago so obviously it is not going to go as fast now. I was
totally amazed it could even do more than 30mph.
“It wasn’t made with a speedometer all those years ago so I can’t tell how fast I
am going either. I accept that it is the driver’s responsibility and
not an excuse for me to exceed the speed limit, but I drive with due
caution and safely because I can’t see the speed – I am no Lewis
Hamilton.”
The 67-year-old semi-retired
mechanic takes his car to shows and charity functions across the
country and also helps out at events run by Coventry Transport Museum.
He
was returning home from a show in Evesham when he was flashed by a
speed camera, which claimed he was travelling at 35mph in a 30mph zone.
Mr
Stanisfield appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court last week where he
admitted the charge despite a brief protest. He was fined £138 and
given three points on his licence.
He added: “I feel that this has been a complete waste of time. I have got a lot of respect for the law and road safety and there is no way I go out there with the intention of breaking the speed limit.
“It takes a lot of concentration to drive an older vehicle in modern day traffic and it is totally different to anything else you have driven. But I honestly don’t believe I was doing 35mph.
“What
really annoys me is that if someone burgles a house they get a smack on
the wrist and maybe given 20 hours community service but that is it.
With all these crimes going on why are police picking up on a petty
thing like this?
“It was a
wide road, there was absolutely no threat to safety and there is no
chance I could have been doing more than 30mph in this car.” | 
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