Automotive forums veteran Arthur Dent, somewhat of a living legend in the world of 'name that car' puzzles across the 'net, sat down in the AutoPuzzles hotseat a few weeks back. In addition to his current Lowcost 7 project, Mr Dent has a rich automotive history, of which he gives us a glimpse in this interview:

AP: Tell us about yourself and when you became interested in cars?

Arthur: Always - even at 2 or 3 I apparently knew all the makes and models of cars on the road. My parents were quite baffled, as no one in my family line has ever had interest in cars.

AP: What was your first car?

Arthur: 1980 Dodge Maxivan - Its orange colour gave it the nickname "cheesewagon". Lots of fun in its own way and useful for camping trips and such. It had a 360cid V8 and 3spd automatic. The interior had velour captain's chairs, a rear seat that folded to a bed, wood panelling and shag carpet. Very groovy!

AP: What is your daily driver?

Arthur: Ummm ... currently between interesting (drivable) cars so it is either my wife's 2004 Nissan Quest or the bus.

AP: What classic(s) or special cars do you currently have?

Arthur: Building a Luego Seven, which is a Lotus Seven, inspired roadster mostly based on Ron Champion's "Locost" concept.

AP: What made you choose to buy it?

Arthur: High quality welds and fiberglass plus its British so somewhat more authentic.

AP: Have you ever just missed buying a particular car, and lived to regret it?

Arthur: A Lotus Elan +2 that I saved all the money for but my wife decided she’d just had to have hardwood floors instead. And guess who got to install the floor? I saw the car again at the local show this fall and it’s a beauty.

AP: What would be your dream car?

Arthur: An early Lotus Elite with someone else paying the maintenance/repairs

AP: Which car do you regret having parted company with?

Arthur: My 1974 Triumph Spitfire since I have a lot of great memories of driving my oldest son (at the time 2-3 years old). Realistically is was due for a lot of work which I couldn’t afford at the time.

AP: What is your favorite drive in your classic or special car?

Arthur: A windy road through the Rocky mountains in the fall.

AP: How much work on your car(s) do you carry out yourself?

Arthur: All of it except for warranty work on the van.

AP: What do you carry with you go out in your car(s)?

Arthur: If its British then tools and maybe a few spares. Otherwise usually spare clothes and such for the kids.

AP: Do you get involved in the club scene, and why?

Arthur: Occasionally. I am a member of two clubs – the local vintage sports car club which I attend events but usually not meetings and the British Saloon Car Club which I always attend the informal meetings at a friend’s shop. Lots of good times and beers to be had – very rare but not usually valuable cars turn up like Vauxhalls, earlyAustins, etc.

AP: Do you take an interest in motor sport, and if so where is your favorite venue(s)/club meeting(s)?

Arthur: I like watching rally racing, especially events like the Dakar. F1, NASCAR, etc hold little interest. No budget for participating as of yet but I’d like to try ice racing.

AP: What is your worst memory involving a car?

Arthur: Driving my parents Plymouth Turismo to high school (a rare treat) one day when it snowed. Normally not a problem but the wind was at the perfect angle and the Turismo had a gap in the side window so it ended up filling with snow. I ended up having to shovel out after school.

AP: What is your funniest memory involving a car?

Arthur: A ride in a friend’s ’59 Cadillac – car had six separate ashtrays – just struck us as funny that apparently even the children in the back needed ashtrays in those days!

AP: What is your most enjoyable moment involving a car?

Arthur: Going for "Sunday drives" with my eldest son in my Triumph Spitfire

AP: Best road food?

Arthur: Slurpee on a hot day with the roof down

AP: How would you define a ‘classic’?

A car that inspires passion from people

AP: What in your opinion, is the worst car regarded as a ‘classic’ and why?

Arthur: I love all sorts of cars for all sorts of different reasons. That said maybe a Caprice Classic.

AP: What in your view will be a future classic?

Arthur: 1st generation Mazda Rx-7 – drop dead gorgeous looks, smooth engine and excellent handling.

AP: What question would you like to ask and who to?

Arthur: Don’t know …

AP: What car publications / car websites do you regularly read?

Arthur: Autopuzzles.com , Carnuts.us , CanadianDriver.com , TheTruthAboutCars.com