Looking around at new cars recently got me thinking about something I first saw more than 20 years ago, the idea of "Durable Car Ownership". My memory suggests that this was something floated by Charles Ware at the Morris Minor Centre in Oxford - it boiled down to buying one car and keeping it fully repaired forever, no bodging, no short cuts, treating it like antique furniture or a stately home!

For all the greenies out there, yes I appreciate that running any car is hardly green, but realistically I cannot earn my living without a vehicle. I fail to see the point of buying expensive consumer goods every few years, spending a fortune on expensive dealer servicing and then maybe getting 50% of its original purchase price on trade in all for a bit of shiny prestige metalwork. Experience with Maria's beetle also suggests that "peace of mind" associated with a modern car and a warranty is also a fleeting, fragile feeling!

I own and operate two older cars, a restored 1972 Morgan 4/4 and a 1989 Land Rover 110 CSW, (a proto-Defender). I can see little reason to change; I like them to drive; they are mainly reliable; my clients go "Oh, how interesting" rather than "so that's how you spend my money"; and they meet the ethos of Durable Car Ownership. (Every bit is available or can be fabricated - the vehicle can be kept in working order indefinitely).

On the 31st May, the Land Rover will be taken off the road for three months to be taken apart and rebuilt to something close to new, certainly enough to last for the next 20 years. I'm using a local tradesman and will try not to skimp without spending all of my cash. High up the list of improvements is better rustproofing for all the steel parts, a gearbox overhaul, (both main and transfer box, 190,000 miles has taken its toll), a respray and a twin tank cooking oil conversion.

It's motoring, but as green as I can make it. It should also save money, but I won't hold my breath - the current 2500l road fuel duty concession could well be removed.