Meet the man who uses his F1 car for weekly shopping and trips to Greggs

26 November 2023 , 22:14

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Alan Thomson drives a replica F1 car around the streets of Glasgow

A Scottish mechanic has taken his weekly shopping trips to a whole new level by using his Formula One car.

Alan Thomson, a motoring enthusiast, drives the bright yellow vehicle around motorways and city centres. The 54-year-old even takes it to the supermarket or to his local Greggs for a sausage roll and coffee, although there is not much room for his shopping bags.

Alan bought the handmade Furore Formula car in London and had it transported back to his home in Glasgow. He is often stopped by people who want to take photos or sit in the driver's seat. The Furore is one of only six in Britain made by famed car engineer Russ Bost. While it has not participated in races, it is equipped to do so.

He gets his shopping in it (No credit)

Alan said: "The car certainly attracts a lot of attention when I am out on the road or parked up. It is something that I have just had to get used to. The most common question I get asked when I am out shopping is where do I put my messages. I have a space behind the driver's seat which can also take a passenger.

"I had no problem getting insurance for the car but my company have insisted I take windscreen cover, though the car has no windscreen."

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Alan, a classic car enthusiast who once owned a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, now drives the Furore. His first car was a Volkswagen Beetle, which he bought for £50 in 1988 and sold three months later for £1,500. The Furore has no roof, so Alan can only drive it when the weather is good. He usually keeps it in a garage during winter.

Cars like this, driven by stars like Lewis Hamilton, only get about four miles per gallon, but the Furore can do 30 miles to the gallon. It has a full MOT and meets Glasgow's Low Emission Zone standards. The petrol-driven racer can reach speeds of up to 170mph and does 60mph in less than four seconds.

Alan Thomson who drives a replica F1 car around the streets of Glasgow. (Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)

Alan, who always wears a helmet when driving, never parks the car far from his sight. He was once stopped by traffic police in Glasgow city centre who just wanted to see the car close up. Recently, Alan hasn't been able to drive the Furore as often as he would like because he is now a full-time carer for a family member. When the weather is bad, he uses an eight-year-old Land Rover Discovery instead.

Alan said: "I enjoy getting out in the car in the fresh air and putting all my problems behind me for a few hours." He added, "It is the ultimate driving experience." He did not say how much he paid for the car - but while a real Formula One car can cost millions of pounds, a Furore is thought to be worth about £36,000.

The motor is a big hit at vintage car shows. Alan has recently taken it to events at Glamis Castle in Forfar and Thirlestane Castle in the Borders. You can also see Alan's F1 car on YouTube via the Auto Shenanigans channel.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Norman Silvester