Mike Healey's was broken hearted when his first car, a 1935 Morris 8, came to a sorry end in a confrontation with a tree.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mike Healey and his future wife with his wrecked 1935 Morris 8 after it hit a tree. Pictures supplied by Mike HealeyMike Healey and his future wife with his wrecked 1935 Morris 8 after it hit a tree. Pictures supplied by Mike Healey (Image: supplied by Mike Healey)

I was born in Norwich – I now live in St Ives, Cambridgeshire – and have a tale to tell.

I hope it gets into print because it will be testimony to my brother, who still lives in Norwich, and was instrumental in my first car ownership. It was an unwanted trade-in at the garage where he worked at the time.

My first car was a 1935 Morris 8 which cost me £5, acquired in 1963.

My brother upgraded it with parts from a 1938 model, which included sealed-beam headlamps, easy-clean wheels and also fitted a huge 'Brooklands' spoked steering wheel.

During my ownership it required a new road spring and cylinder head, but always started first time and never let me down.

Sadly, I parked it against a tree near Loddon some 10 months later. My girlfriend, now my wife, and I escaped without serious injury. It was a brilliant little car and left me broken hearted.

The photographs depict its plight and that's me and my girlfriend the next day looking forlornly at the wreck.

Do you have some tales to tell about your first car? The adventures, scrapes, breakdowns, mishaps and maintenance just to keep it on the road. Email your motoring memories with a picture of the car to motoring@archant.co.uk or post it to Andy Russell, motoring editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE.