Ron Billing is a busy man. Although he’s 79, the retired aircraft engineer is as active as ever.
As well as taking care of his 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider 2L, he is also a member of the Moray-based Historic Wheels Club as well as volunteering for CLAN, which offers help to those affected by cancer.
This month Ron will have the chance to combine all his passions with the first event of its kind.
He has decided to organise a sponsored car run using classic cars to raise money for the CLAN charity and spread the word about the wonderful work it does.
Setting off from Elgin on July 31, the calvacade will make their way across the north-east and visit the charity’s drop-in centres in Aberdeen, Inverurie, Stonehaven, Banchory and Ballater.
“This is the first time it has been done and there is quite a lot of interest already,” Ron said.
“It’s a nice 180-mile round trip and we already have around 20 cars signed up. We are hoping that each car will be sponsored for around £100 so we should make a nice sum for the charity. There is a good range of marques as well. There is going to be Aston Martin, Ferrari, AC Cobra.
“It’s not only open to classic car owners. Anyone can come along. It would be great if it could become an annual thing.”
Also joining the range of cars will be Ron’s Alfa, a car that he bought nine months ago to replace his Morgan 4/4.
He decided to swap in his classic car for another as the Morgan was getting too difficult to get in and out of. The Alfa, he said, is more “age-friendly”.
Ron, who lives in Portgordon with his wife Mary, is no stranger to the Alfa Romeo marque though.This is the ninth one he has owned.
He said: “When the sale for the Morgan was confirmed I had a pile of money in my hand and thought to myself ‘what about another Alfa?’ So I spoke to my wife, she always liked the Alfa, so she was keen on it. So I had a look on Ebay and I found this one, it looked quite attractive so I phoned the owner and agreed to go down and look at it.
“I flew down to Leicestershire, and arrived at the airport at 3.50pm. I was back on the motorway in my new car by 4.40pm.
“I liked the condition of it and it wasn’t too expensive. It had new tyres and an MOT, new upholstery and a low mileage. It was better than the owner described and I was very happy with it.”
The Alfa is one of a long list of classic cars Ron has owned, explaining that he can’t stand modern cars because he likes to be able to fix them himself.
The Alfa marque was a particular favourite. “They are great fun to drive,” he said. “It’s a two litre two seater, it’s just a clever little car. It goes like stuff off a shovel.”
It turned out that this car had an interesting history. Along with the car Ron was given a score of papers including past bills and other documents. Ron started to contact the people mentioned on the documents to find out more about his car.
It was during this time that the car once belonged to Camilla Sainsbury, daughter of Sir Timothy Alan Davan Sainsbury, of the supermarket chain fame and wife of MP Shaun Anthony Woodward.
“She confirmed in a letter that it used to belong to her,” Ron said.
“I was chuffed when I discovered it. It can’t do the car’s value any harm.”
Ron said the car will now be used for occassional days out and shows. He drives it to Historic Wheels Club rallies.
“Nobody ever knows what it is, they always take a second look and say ‘what’s that?’,” he added.
To view the car and many others, don’t miss the sponsored car run on July 31. The team will be leaving the Moray College car park in Elgin at 10am.
Anyone who wants to take part or find out more information, e-mail oscar@rabilling.plus.com