Thank Heavens it's over...

No, I'm not talking about Christmas, well not yet anyway. No, I'm referring to the year of our Lord 2016 that has been tumultuous, to say the least. It's sure to be a year that we'll be talking about for quite some time yet.

We have said a final goodbye to numerous beloved celebrities and luminaries, more than one would expect in a normal year. In June, we gave a typically British two fingers to the EU and saw our dream of having a world-class football team comically ended: sacrificed on a wintry Icelandic alter.

Worse still, we now have the prospect of one Donald J Trump Esq. entering the White House as leader of the 'free world': something we're all going to have to contemplate and hope for the best!

As for me, as you know, I said goodbye to a good deal of cash as I finally decided to give the DS some overdue TLC. This draining process will no doubt continue into 2017 as we finish it off. There's an old joke which I'll paraphrase: How do you make a small fortune? Start with a big one then buy a DS. Finally, there is one final sting to my 2016 because during this tiresome year my personal odometer rolled over to 50. Oh the misery.

So onto cars. I thought given that I've hit my half-century that I'd find out which classic cars are joining me on this landmark occasion. There are quite a few and some of them quite remarkable. Let's see:

The Jensen Interceptor (1966 - 1976)

Yay! What a super cool car to share a birthday with and, better still, it’s a favourite of mine. A true British muscle car with a massive six-litre V8 engine and looks to die for. Much like my good self! Given unlimited funds, I'd have an Interceptor but the cost of insurance, fuel and maintenance would make the cost of looking after the DS seem like pocket change. Perhaps, if I had the wealth of America's President-Elect it might be an option but under current circumstances, this would be like taking my money and burning it on a Yuletide fire.

British V8 excellence

Toyota Corolla (1966 - present)

Most who know me would describe me as a reserved, sensible person with a tendency to be both taciturn and perspicacious. I'm OK with that. Apt then, that one of the most understated, low-key cars on the road was launched in the year of my birth.  And cars don't come soberer than the undramatic Corolla. Beloved of the elderly and as reliable as Santa on Christmas Eve these unassuming cars won't set the world on fire but they will always start and get you home in time for Christmas. In these topsy-turvy times, that's a good thing.

Fiat 124 (1966 - who knows)

For such a simple three-box car, this is arguably one of the most remarkable ever. Not for its engineering or performance or beauty but more for its longevity. Whilst Fiat stopped making the 124 in 1974, some of the licensed overseas versions are still being made today. One of its most recognisable incarnations is, of course, that Cold War classic the Lada Riva. It has also been made in Spain, India, Bulgaria, Korea and, most appropriately, Turkey. In fact, in its various guises, it's the second biggest selling car in automotive history. It’s a bit like your Christmas turkey; it just seems to go on forever. I kinda like that; I just hope I'm as resilient.

Daimler Sovereign (1966 - 1983)

Effectively a badge-engineered Jaguar 420 the Sovereign was a 2.5-litre V8 slice of little England. Graceful and sublime when wafting through the shires of the Home Counties but with a dark side when used by an underworld boss. With enough room in the boot to transport a gangland corpse to the foundations of an East-end skyscraper, these cars were, during their production, the crème de la crème vehicle of the moneyed classes (irrespective of how that cash was procured).

Dodge Charger (1966 - 1978)

What a treat. One of the few American cars I really like. The Charger is the muscle car's muscle car. Longer than a winter's night and just as cool. Its massive engine is louder than the squeal of kids on a Christmas morn.  Chargers exude menace, power and dark intent. Whether it's chasing Steve McQueen round San Francisco during a festive showing of Bullitt or yee-hawing around as the General Lee in The Dukes of Hazard the Dodge Charger is a true American icon with which I'm delighted to share a birthday.

You can feel the menace

After such a difficult year we all need cheering up a bit methinks and at this time of goodwill to all people finding out I'm of the same vintage as some brilliant cars has lightened my mood somewhat. I hope this gets you to check which cars share your birthday, you may be pleasantly surprised.

So now, it’s time to ponder what 2017 will have up its sleeve? Let's hope there's plenty to look forward to, especially in our classic car world, that put the indifference of 2016 firmly behind us.