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Dec 17, 2015
After interviewing with Fred, the New Jersey car show expert, we know many readers are interested in classic cars. That’s why we invite David Marchal, a long-time classic car enthusiast and a well-known classic car blogger, to answer some questions about his hobby and to give advice to classic car beginners. Take a look at the interview and share with friends.

1. Tell us about yourself. What is your name, what you do with the blog and offline, and your interest?

David the classic car expert
David’s Car Blog is run by – surprise – David Marchal. It’s my personal blog about classic and exceptional cars.
Professionally, I’m a freelance User Interface specialist for software companies and I also create 3D renderings (see www.david-marchal.com).

2. When did you start getting attracted to classic cars, and why?

I’ve been infused by cars from birth.

My parents owned a lot of the iconic cars made by Citroën: DS, CX, 2CV, GS, … During my youth I was fascinated by cars and how they were designed. I was so much into them that I could recognise the model year changes for most cars. For example if the outside mirrors received a design change for a certain facelift, I could identify that. I read a lot of car magazines and brochures in those days.
Becoming a car designer was a dream, but in the end I graduated as Interior designer. But my fascination for car design never faded.

3. You’ve mentioned your favorite classic car brand is Ferrari in your articles. Tell us about your favorite model and why this brand attracts you so much?

Ferrari is one of my favorite brands because they had such a diversified gamma throughout their history. From the early days with elegant Gran Turismo (GT) cars, which evolved throughout the years to be more sportscar-oriented. The baseline of Ferrari was that everything they did was racing-related. In the early days they made road legal cars to finance their racing efforts. And of course their design was and still is breathtaking.

My choice of desirable Ferrari’s: 250 GTO, 250 LM, 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’, Testarossa and the 288 GTO. The Testarossa was the ultimate sports car during my youth. Anyone how was a teen during the 80s knows Miami Vice, where Don Johnson drove that gorgeous white Testarossa at night through the streets of Miami.
David's Car - JaguarXJ40

David’s Car – JaguarXJ40

4. Many of our readers are interested in learning more about classic cars. Especially for our younger customers, they might not be able to have one now but would like to get their foot in the field. How would you suggest them to do?

I think the love for classic cars is something you develop when you’re younger when you grow an interest in certain models. And once you ‘grow up’, that car that you liked so much becomes obtainable.

Unfortunately, classic cars are nowadays considered to be good investments with great returns. Resulting in astronomical amounts of money being paid for the most wanted ones.
A love for classic cars doesn’t mean ‘expensive’ by default. Depending on your choice of brand and model, classics can be very reasonable priced.
Once you’re interested in a certain car, you should gather as much info as possible. The internet is your friend here. And if you like the more traditional way: there have never been so much classic car magazines as nowadays.
Don’t forget the classic car-clubs which are an invaluable source of information. It doesn’t matter which car you love, you’re sure to find an enthusiast forum about it.
And as with all cars, know your stuff when you’re buying one or get someone to accompany you that does. After all, it would be a pity if your classic car-dream gets shattered by an unfortunate purchase.

5. Why did you start David’s Car Blog? What’s your mission?

With my blog I want to write about the cars I love and share it with the fellow enthusiasts. At the moment it’s more of a hobby, but I wouldn’t mind to take it to more professional heights and be a freelance writer. But we’ll see how that turns out.

6. What else do you want to say to our readers?

Dare to dream! In my teens (late 80s) I totally loved the Jaguar XJ. It was the pinnacle of British luxury with very elegant lines. But unfortunately, in those days that car was very expensive and out of reach for most people.

As a result the XJ has been lingering in the back of my mind since then. And I often searched the internet for cars for sale, but never dare to buy one.
Until last year when my dad bought a 1989 XJ and I fell in love again. After a while he bought another car and I was able to purchase it from him. And a 1989 Jaguar XJ in burgundy red, was finally in my possession!