Budding young mechanic takes charge of classic car fleet

A budding young mechanic has taken charge of a fleet of vintage cars.

Despite being in the process of learning to drive herself, 18-year-old Tianna Rawlings (pictured) will be in charge of maintaining a fleet of three cars - a Vauxhall VX490, Morris Minor and Austin 7 - whilst being overseen by her father, Wayne Ward, who currently looks after the standard Young Driver fleet of new Vauxhall Corsas.

Tianna, who lives at Kingshurst, is studying to be a mechanic, having completed two years of a three year course at Solihull College.

She commented: “I knew I wanted to be a mechanic from age 11 and I 've always helped my dad out with jobs under the bonnet.

"When I met with the team at Young Driver, we got talking about the classics, which are amazing vehicles. I was over the moon to be asked to look after the maintenance of the cars, with support from my dad.

"I have an interest in classic cars so it 's a great opportunity for me to put some of the things I 'm learning at college into practice. Obviously the classics are very different vehicles to modern cars on the road now, so you learn lots of new skills. ”

Tianna 's own learner driver education was put on hold due to Covid, but she has been carrying on lessons with training school Young Driver, which teaches 10-17 year olds, and hopes to be back learning on the road shortly.

Sue Waterfield, head of marketing for Young Driver, said: “When we launched the classic car experience last month at the British Motor Museum we were delighted with all the positive feedback we got.

"It 's great for young people to be able to experience what cars used to be like and the way they drive - which gives you a better understanding of the mechanics, compared to the very slick and computer-based cars we all drive today.

"So, it 's great to now have Tianna, as someone of that generation, maintaining the fleet, whilst also helping her with practical experience for her college qualifications. We 're sure she will do a fantastic job! On the first day she was taking the starter motor off the Austin 7 to put a recon unit on! ”

Young Driver, which offers driving lessons to 10 to 17-year-olds at 70 venues across the UK, has its head office in Balsall Common.