Autosport Plus

Nigel Roebuck: Fifth Column Finale

"Many of Gardner's Aussie one-liners would be inappropriate today"

Autosport Magazine Dec 19, 2007, 3:03 PM

One morning, in January 1968, I drove back to my London flat, where I'd arranged to meet a friend prior to going out for lunch. It was bitter and there was a fair amount of packed snow, but I was in my Mini Cooper S, and slippery roads held no terror for me, thank you very much.

I was a little late and as I drove down the street I saw my pal on the pavement, and waved. Then I put the brakes on. The Mini immediately spun, then slotted - backwards - into a space at the kerbside, between two cars. I had hit nothing, not even the kerb, and the car was perfectly parked: it was like sleight of hand. Somewhat disbelieving, I got out, and - with a nonchalance I didn't feel - walked over to my friend.