No sour taste with smart P76

However, Bob Findlay has worked on his spanish olive 1973 Leyland P76 Executive 4.4 V8 for many years to keep it in top condition.

Two months ago, his wife Georgette added a 2008 Chrysler Crossfire ZH SRT-6 Coupe two-door sports to the Longford couple's car collection.

"We bought the Leyland P76 from a guy in Queensland, sight unseen and had it transported down to Longford around six years ago," Mr Findlay said.

"Apart from a light restoration to remove a small amount of rust near the back window sill and touching up the bonnet, the vehicle is in original condition.

"My affiliation with P76s dates back to 1977 when two of my work colleagues at the Devonport Airport fire station owned one each and I would have loved to own one myself, but at that time it was out of my reach.

"When I mentioned to Jet [Georgette] that I would like to purchase a V8 Leyland P76 she said, and I quote, 'What in the hell for?' "

"Now that we have had it in our possession for over six years, Jet has grown to admire this vehicle as much as I do, I think.

"Interest has grown in the Leyland P76s especially the V8s, at the moment they're an affordable way to owning a special interest vehicle.

"They are pretty well, there is probably only six or seven registered P76s in Tassie and we're all members of the Vic-Tas club because there's not enough members in Tasmania to warrant a club.

"They were only produced in 1973-74 . . . they were an Australian car built in Sydney."

Leyland Australia's Sydney factory was closed down in 1974, just eight months after is was available for sale.

The car had teething problems, which together with the factory's closure effectively killed the car.

"It's a great vehicle and we tend to take it to a few of the car shows, especially the V8s at Symmons Plains," he said.

"Jet has always had a keen interest in any type of sports cars and has recently bought herself a Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 two-door as an everyday drive, but I don't think I'm game enough to say, 'What in the hell do you want one of those for?' "