A FAMOUS funny man has revealed how two Essex garages helped fuel his love for retro cars.

Comedian Jon Culshaw is famous for his side-splitting impressions, starring in the Dead Ringers Radio 4 show as well as other hilarious projects.

But Jon is also an avid car enthusiast and one of his big passions is collecting vintage vehicles.

Speaking on popular motoring podcast Fuelling Around, Jon revealed how a specialist garage in Halstead helped him realise one of his car dreams.

Jon said: “I do love Fords. I think it harks back to the love of the 1970s, sparked by watching Life of Mars with that wonderful GXL Cortina.

“I started to think it would be really interesting to try and find a 1970s Ford.

“Eventually I found a place in Essex called Affordable Classics which had a few.

“I got a Mk1 Ford Granada first, or a Consul, I should say.”

Jon then took his new pride and Joy to Carisma Auto Design in Colchester.

He said: “I tracked down the place that did all the restorations on Pimp My Ride UK which is over in Colchester.

“A wonderful chap called Ronnie resprayed them and just retrimmed them.

“I had a 1974 Consul and a 1972 Mk3 Cortina through the same garage.

“I had a Mk1 Granada Gear from 1974 as well which had once been owned by Practical Classics magazine.

“I think a vicar once owned it and he sold it to Practical Classics and they then drove it to Poland I think, filled up the boot with pork pies and drove it back.

“It was a lovely gold Mk1 Granada with lovely velour seats.

“Now I’ve got a Mk1 Ford Granada, a ‘74 silver one, which was actually used in the TV show on Channel 4, The Curse.

“I’ve got another in Colchester, a Mk 1 Granada Coupe in Miami blue which is with Ronnie being restored at the moment.”

The impressionist had co-host Dave Vitty and Jason Plato in hysterics during the episode as he mimicked Patrick Moore, David Attenborough and Jeremy Clarkson.

To hear more, including a cracking tale about Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno, visit fuelling-around.adrianflux.co.uk/.