MARC Priestley is beloved to fans for bringing old bangers back to life on Wheeler Dealers, but he has also built up quite the collection of classics for himself.
The TV star, nicknamed Elvis, revealed how he started out in a humble, but popular, runaround before graduating to some more lavish motors.
InstagramWheeler Dealers star Marc Priestley has enjoyed a selection of lavish cars over the years[/caption]
A former F1 mechanic and current motoring presenter, he’s certainly a committed petrolheadDiscovery
VW Beetle
AlamyHis first car was 1975 VW Beetle (stock image)[/caption]
Marc’s car journey started out in a VW Beetle, one of the most popular models on the market.
It’s exactly the sort of car he might encounter on the show, with Beetles beloved of classic car enthusiasts the world over.
Indeed, the forerunner to the Beetle was the first “People’s Car” (or “Volks Wagen” in German) to be produced by Porsche, setting the stage for the colossal global brand we know today.
The one owned by Marc was a 1975 model, which he told Car & Classic that he “loved”.
They have also held their value remarkably well, with second-hand examples available for around £11,000, roughly equivalent to what they would have been sold for in the ’70s.
Tesla Model 3
GettyMarc’s current daily drive is the £30,000 Tesla Model 3 (stock image)[/caption]
It might surprise some that Marc, a former F1 mechanic and renowned petrolhead, counts a Tesla as his “daily drive”.
The £30,000 Model 3 is the most affordable option the Elon Musk-helmed brand offers but still provides five-seater comfort and tech-heavy luxury.
Marc opted for the Performance spec, with a top speed of 145 mph and its range boosted to 315 miles.
And he seems to be fully on board with the EV revolution, suggesting it could be the future for modern and vintage rides alike.
He said: “I think, and really hope, that the classic car industry might be saved by the advent of sustainably produced and even eventually zero-emission fuels.”
Mercedes 350SL
AlamyIn 2023 he bought his ‘dream car’ – a 1979 Mercedes 350SL[/caption]
Dubbed his ‘dream car’ Marc snapped up the 1979 sedan last year.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, he admitted breaking his own ‘number one rule’ to get his hands on it.
He recalled: “I present one of the world’s biggest car shows on television.
“Every single week I give people advice and tips on how to buy a second-hand car.
“It’s great advice, advice that I stand by…that I would give anybody and believe in.
“Yet I’ve just bought my dream car…without taking any of that advice.”
Thankfully, he bought it freshly restored from a trusted friend and “wasn’t disappointed” by what he received.
He added that the gorgeous, Inca red 350SL put a smile on his face and that of “every other person he drove past” when bringing it back to his house.
As for the future, Marc named his “dream drive” as a road trip along the Great Ocean Road in Australia in an Aston Martin DB5 with the late great racer Ayrton Senna so you never know – that car could be next on his list.
Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer shares agonising update on stolen Ford Fiesta
Mike Brewer has updated fans on the plight of his stolen Ford Fiesta.
He and Marc restored the MkI car themselves, spending over £11,000 on it before it was pinched in June 2023.
Asked on X if he had any luck in tracking it down, he replied: “Fiesta still stolen.
“If it’s recovered, which I very much doubt now I would shout about it on social media.”
The presenter even offered a £5,000 reward for those who could help him recover the beloved car.
AlamyMarc’s dream drive is an Aston Martin road trip in Australia[/caption]