When I started BabyDrive I had no idea that one day I would have the privilege of interviewing hardworking car journalist, Mum and Carsales.com.au Consumer Editor Nadine Armstrong. I was keen to find out a little more about her role as Mum, her family and where her love of cars began! Enjoy! I certainly did 🙂
• In case you missed it: Mother's Day with Pinky McKay
What inspired you to become a motoring journalist?
My motoring life stared with dirt bikes at a very young age and the love of cars grew from there! I loved being pillion on my Dad’s old Kawasaki bashing through the Wombat State Forest before I got my own two wheels. I also recall being envious of my older brother’s bright yellow Ford Escort RS 2000. A car which I later blamed for me never getting my dream first car, an 80s Alfa Romeo GTV… something about reliability my Dad said.
What does it mean to you to be a working mum?
Compromises. Often, lunch orders! It’s a constant juggle and I have to always remember to not beat myself up or feel guilty about that. I have a very supportive husband, an amazing job and even more amazing children… that’s about as balanced as I can wish for.
How many children do you have?
I have three kids. My stepdaughter (currently studying overseas) is 21 and then I have Emily (aged 9.5) and Oscar just turned eight!
What is your current family car?
Would you believe I’m currently without a car! We just sold our Audi S3 and are in the market for something a little bigger… because the kids refuse to stop growing. I suspect a medium sedan is on the cards… the AMG variety if all goes to plan!
What are your family's funniest or biggest car disasters?
I can’t think of one… but that seems hard to believe! If it involved spiders I’m sure to have wiped it from my memory.
What was your first car?
I learned to drive in the family Ford Fairmont Ghia in about 1989 and my first car was a Nissan Pulsar Sport. I loved that little white hatchback more than life itself.
What car did your parents have when you were growing up?
My earliest memory is of a late seventies Holden Kingswood wagon and then we switched to Ford. I recall getting our second family car for my mum, it was a late 70s silver Mazda 323 hatchback. Later in life, they bought a dark blue early 80s BMW 318i and I’ve forever been partial to a Euro badge!
What do your children say about your car or your driving?
They’re incorrigible where the crackle of a good exhaust is concerned – aren't we all. The kids know every Wednesday is when we receive a new press car and they love checking out the weekly wheels. Oscar is mostly disappointed it’s not a McLaren or Lamborghini. At the moment anything with a third row or bespoke interior lighting is king… but nothing quite beats a dual-cab ute in their eyes. If they could choose our family car it would be the Ford Ranger Raptor… tempting!
If you could wake up on Mothers Day and have any car what would it be?
If someone could hook me up with a Ferrari 308 GTS or a Dino I’d be forever grateful. 🙂
What does mother's day look like for you?
Mother’s Day is coffee delivered to bed and a game of UNO (they may even let me win)! Breakfast at home and homemade cards and gifts from the kids… along with some treasures they will have picked up at the school Mother’s Day stall!
Nadine is on Instagram: @nadine_drives
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