Ewart marks 88 years on roads

After covering more than a million miles in 88 years of motoring, he has never had an accident or been nabbed for speeding. But the former professional chauffeur, who has never taken a driving test, thinks the time has come to sell his Jag and let his grandson drive instead.

Mr Whear, of Newfield Court, Trench, reaches 100 on November 4 and believes he is Shropshire's oldest driver. Born in Cornwall, he learnt to drive in 1918 at the age of 12, with a variety of cars, and motorcycles on his family smallholding and local lanes.

"The first car I drove was a Model T Ford. It didn't have lights so I strapped a lamp to the side," he said. "We were only 17 miles from Land's End and never saw any police in those days.

"I was a very capable lad and could do anything mechanical. Men used to come from all around to our village for me to put their cars right."

Mr Whear, who rapidly developed a skill to drive "anything with four wheels", became a chauffeur, at first driving Bentleys for a local landowner and then for the Hayle Brewery.

He was a munitions worker during the Second World War and then bought the family land to run a glasshouse business. But he continued to be obsessed with cars, with a preference for the luxury motoring offered by Armstrong Siddleys and Jaguars.

And after moving up to Telford where he lives near his grandson Christopher, he is still driving after having his eyesight tested and convincing the DVLA he is up to scratch.

"I did think about driving back to Cornwall for a visit, but everybody said I was too old," he said.

"I use my Jaguar for going to the shops and hope to take it out to see a bit more of Shropshire if the weather's fine.

"I did all my servicing back in Cornwall - even re-boring a Jaguar and fitting new pistons - but I don't have the facilities here in sheltered housing."

Mr Whear used to display his collection of motoring badges - including Institute of Advanced Motorists, AA, RAC and Veteran Motorists' Club - on the front of his Jaguar, but Telford's yobs put paid to that.

After thieves tried to prise off his badges, he now has them on display in his living room alongside back copies of his favourite magazine, Jaguar World.

At the age of 94, Mr Whear flew in a helicopter, briefly taking over the controls, in a flight organised by his grandson who works at RAF Shawbury. A similar treat is planned for his 100th birthday.

Do you know of any evergreen motorists who can beat Mr Whear's record? If so, contact the Shropshire Star newsdesk on (01952) 242424 or email us at newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk

Behind the wheel

Mr Whear has owned or driven hundreds of cars over the past 88 years, covering virtually every letter of the alphabet. Here is a selection:

• Alvis Speed 25, three Armstrong Siddleys, Austin Seven, several 4.5 litre Bentleys, Bean 12hp and 14hp models, Clyno Tourer, Daimlers, Studebaker Erskine Six, numerous Fords including a Model T, Triumph Gloria, Humbers, Invictas and eight Jaguars. Lancaster, Morris, Nissan Micra and three litre, Opel, various Rovers, Standards, several Triumphs, Toyota, Vauxhalls, Wolseleys and a Ford Zodiac.

• He has also driven a steam roller, a traction engine, cultivators and ploughs and many motorcycles - and he says he much prefers petrol engines to diesel engines.

By Peter Johnson