Car Torque .... with singer songwriter Beverley Craven

What was your first car?

My first car was a Fiat 127- in lime green! It cost £1,200 from a secondhand car dealer. I’m pretty sure it was a respray and that the mileage had been ‘adjusted’. I’d been riding a motorbike for four years before I got the Fiat – it was sheer luxury to be in a warm, dry car for a change!

How many times did it take to pass your test?

I passed second time, in my boyfriend’s parents’ car - who just happened to be Mr and Mrs David Coleman – the sports commentator. It was a Datsun, I think. They also paid for an instructor.

Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?

Hmmm…well, if this is purely fantasy, it would have to be a tall, dark and handsome man, with a deep, well-spoken English accent and riveting personality. He’d be wearing a suit (of course) with a crisp white shirt, expensive aftershave and a pair of gorgeous Italian shoes. We’d talk and laugh non-stop as we drove all the way down to the South of France - in my Jag - to my sprawling villa on the coast, bathed in sunshine, with fountains in its own picturesque grounds, a swimming pool and staff to attend to our every need. Failing that, I’d hire a top of the range Winnebago and drive down to the Dorset coast with a few girlfriends and a pot luck picnic.

What is your dream car?

I’d love to own a Jaguar XK - in gun metal grey - because it’s a really sexy, beautiful-looking car. Whenever I see one it makes me feel slightly envious of its owner. I’m told they don’t handle too well and that there are ‘better’ sports cars, but I like them purely on the look and design. I once drove an Aston Martin DB9 on a TV show called, Pulling Power. Now that was an amazing experience!

How would you describe your driving style?

I like to think of myself as a careful, considerate driver. I’m quite nifty at parallel parking - I even amaze myself sometimes! I think the trick to being a good driver is being able to anticipate what other drivers might do, almost like having a sixth sense.

Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?

I’d pulled off the M40 at High Wycombe once, when this little twerp cut me up in his VW Golf GTi. It was a pretty close call, and I can’t deny feeling a twinge of road rage. When I pulled up next to him at the next set of traffic lights I rolled down my window and said, “Excuse me…is this the Handy Cross roundabout?” and then, “do you mind terribly if we share it…?”

What are you listening to?

I mostly listen to Kate Bush when I’m driving – the Ariel album. I crank it up really loud. I love a bit of 80s disco as well. The beauty of playing music in the car is that you can sing along at the top of your lungs and no one can hear you!

What do you drive now?

I have a Toyota Land Cruiser because I can get all my equipment in the back, plus a couple of musicians and their gear. I feel safer driving a big vehicle on long journeys. It’s an automatic too, which makes for a more relaxed drive.