Fic: 5 Most Memorable Cars Gene Has Driven..., green cortina, dakfinv
Title: The Five Most Memorable Cars Gene Has Driven (and Why They're Memorable)
Author: dak
Word Count: 906 words
Rating: green cortina
Warnings: mild angst
A/N: For
hambelandjemima
1.
1941 Sunbeam-Talbot Ten
It was 1945, just after the war ended, when Gene watched his father pull the car up to the front of their house. The Hunt’s never needed a car before, but when his father took a farming a job a little ways out of town, he wanted something to get him there and back again. He was tired of riding the bus with all those “damn Paddy bastards,” Mr. Hunt would tell his sons (when he was sober enough to speak.)
Stu and Gene were under strict orders not to go near it, unless they had their father’s permission. This, both sons knew, would never be given. While Stu seemed generally unconcerned with their family’s new addition, Gene couldn’t get the Talbot Ten out of his head. He had yet to drive any sort of car and was itching to get his fingers wrapped around that wheel. But, Gene Hunt was no fool. He knew exactly what was in store for him if his father so much as saw him sniffing round his motor.
Swearing Stu to secrecy - he could always rely on Stu - Gene carefully snuck the keys out of his father’s jacket pocket while the old man was passed out in his armchair with a bottle of J&B. Very, very quietly, Gene slipped into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Beyond starting the car, Gene had absolutely no idea what to do. He drove forward so slowly, the car barely moved forward. Oh, but it was so bloody brilliant. The way she purred, the way she handled - right then, Gene knew he’d do anything for a car as gorgeous as her.
He risked two trips around the block, then tried to park it exactly as his father had - at an angle, halfway on the pavement. He snuck back inside, earning a sly wink from Stu, and returned the keys to their rightful pocket. His father never knew he had gone. It was a shame the drunken bastard crashed her into a telephone pole only two months later.
2.
1950 Alvis TA 21
He wanted to drive away from the church in style, and the 2-door drophead was the perfect little beauty. Gene was able to borrow it at a decent price from the brother of shopkeep who owed a favor to PC Geary, Gene’s partner on the beat. It wasn’t the most flash car out there, but it suitably impressed his new father-in-law.
As Mr. Potter watched his little girl - a broad smile plastered across her face - climb into the shining coupe, Gene noticed the man wiping an embarrassed tear from his eye. He nodded back at him, making a solemn promise to take care of his daughter as well as the car, then hit the accelerator and sped off. It didn’t even rain on their drive to the Lake district and they drove the whole way with the top down. Gene almost wished he’d spent more of their honeymoon in the car rather than their room. Almost.
3.
1963 Hillman Imp 2-Door Saloon
It was two years old when Gene bought it, but still drove like brand new. She was all black with not a scratch on her. When Gene first saw her there on the lot, he knew he had to have her. His father-in-law had been offering for years to lend Gene the money for a new car, and Gene had always (politely) refused. He didn’t need the man’s money. He could provide for his wife on his own.
The “tips” he received from the local businessman, especially that new one - Warren - had increased significantly since he made detective and, after checking his account, Gene saw he had just enough saved for the gorgeous gal. He went to the dealership the next day and paid cash. Just like that, she was all his. He couldn’t wait to get her home and show her off, after a stop at the pub, of course.
Like father, like son, Gene thought a scant six hours later as he watched the Hillman get towed to the junkyard.
4.
1967 Ford Anglia 105E
It was an average car belonging to the Lancashire Constabulary. It didn’t drive particularly well. It wasn’t particularly nice to look at. It was terribly uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time. All in all, it was remarkably unremarkable.
If Gene hadn’t used it to transport Stu’s body from Canal Street to the morgue, he probably would have forgotten all about the Anglia.
5.
1977 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
She was incredible - fast and sleek, and it was rumored she could reach up to 170mph. Gene had never driven anything like her before, and nothing, not even the Cortina - God bless her - could match it. She was truly Britain’s First Supercar and, by God, Gene thought nothing would ever top her.
His driving gloves secure and special sunglasses in place, he drove her out of Manchester and onto the twisting country roads where he could really let her go. She was such a magnificent ride, only one thing kept Gene from running off with her permanently. He desperately wanted to see the look on Tyler’s face when Gene returned his precious, new baby. Gladys was probably already panicking, sending out every plod to track her down.
Gene grinned at the thought and pressed down on the accelerator.