My first car - Hillman Husky - Tony Levy

Many people look back with fondness on their first car. So does Tony Levy — though you'd never know it from his description of his 1962 Hillman Husky.

"It was old, tired, clapped out, smelly, dirty and a pig to drive by today's standards," he recalls.

"But it was also cheap and cheerful, and most importantly, easy to maintain.

"And with petrol at 15 shillings a gallon, the old girl and I and dozens of army mates, had wonderful adventures in an old friend that cost me £30."

Originally from London's East End, Tony is now a 60-year-old industrial electrician, who lives with his wife Angela in Linthouse Lane, Wednesfield. They have six grown-up children, whose ages range from 33 down to 23.

He joined the army in 1972 at the age of 21, ending up in Second Squadron, part of the now defunct 10th Signal Regiment.

"Part of my training was learning to drive, so, in September 1972, I became the proud holder of an HGV licence and was posted to a working unit in west London," he recalls.

"I got to drive about in all types of army transport, from four-ton Bedford trucks to staff cars and assorted Land Rovers but I never had a set of wheels of my own."

The opportunity to become a car owner arose when one of his colleagues was posted to West Germany and needed to get rid of his car. Tony jumped at the chance and ended up buying "a fridge on wheels".

The Series II Hillman Husky was a boxy-looking estate model with a top speed of 73mph. It would originally have cost £674 to put on the road. But after more than a decade of hard use, Tony's was barely roadworthy.

"How I ever got away with driving about in that death trap baffles me, but the powers-that-be turned a blind eye."

Old Betsy — as she was known — staggered on until 1976 when Tony was himself posted to Germany. He simply gave away the car .

"Now, nearly 40 years later I have fond memories of my first motor car, which was the troops' unofficial transport," he says. "Great days, great mates, great memories."