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By Becky Hotchin

Driving on Pembrokeshire's rural roads you would expect to come across the odd tractor, a few sheep, maybe even the occasional herd of cows.

What you don't expect to encounter, purring around a country corner, are the smooth lines of of a 1957 Chevrolet Belair or the outrageous fins of a 1959 Cadillac Sedan de Ville. If 40-year-old Sean Armstrong is behind the wheel, however, that is exactly what you will encounter.

For Sean classic cars have been an obsession since he was a youngster.

"These are the cars I wanted when I was very very young," he said. "I've loved them since I was a child and always wanted one."

Six years ago Sean's dream came true when he found himself the proud owner of a 1951 Chevrolet Stepside truck.

In the following years he has added to his collection buying a 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a 1959 Cadillac Sedan de Ville and a 1957 Chevrolet Belair.

He bought both his Chevvys on e-bay and has acquired other motors from people he has met at race meetings and rallies.

For Sean these broad-beamed road giants are a passion.

"I love the Cadillac because it is so ridiculous," he said. "The grotesque shape, the chrome fins. It is a 50-year-old modern car, everything is electric and it has luxuries like heated seats. The sound of the big V8 engine is beautiful, a cross between a rumble and a purr."

"I use the two-and-a-half tonne Monte Carlo every day as a runaround. It is so reliable and has never let me down. It is so well made, everything is over-engineered. It's stronger than it needs to be. That's why it's still running so well after 50 years."

The cars have get a great reaction from people all round the country.

"Whenever we go out in these cars people stop, stare and point. When we park up people want to know what they are and how many miles they do to the gallon. Everybody loves the Cadillac and the Belair. We have kids on their bikes following us through town."

Despite the outrageousness of the Sedan de Ville and the popularity of the other two classics, the Chevvy pick up is still Sean's preferred vehicle.

"Without a doubt it's my favourite," he enthused. "It's so old-fashioned looking. You see them in all the old films. It was built to be a workhorse and I can still use it as a workhorse."

Sean is a self-taught mechanic who says he enjoys taking things apart and has learnt as he goes along. He has completely overhauled the pick-up in the last five years.

"I have modified it completely since I bought it. The only original part is the chassis. It's got a new engine, the roof has been lowered and it's got Jaguar front suspension"

It is the pick-up that Sean has decided will get him to the church on time when he marries fiancee Suzy Bartram this summer.

A cavalcade of classic cars is expected to join the bride and groom on the way to their wedding. All of Sean's cars will accompany the wedding party, and friends and family have promised to add their own showpieces, including a fleet of Harley Davidsons, to the procession.

With weddings in mind Sean and Suzy have launched Style Cars to transport other brides and grooms in style on their big day. The cars are decked out in ribbons to match the bride's dress, a bottle of quality champagne is laid on and 50's music, if required, plays on the cars' music systems.

Quite often the car is booked as a surprise for the bride and all the cars except the truck have purred down Pembrokeshire's streets with a bride-to-be in the back. Sean is marketing the truck as a groom's car, so both parties can show up to their wedding in style.

"These cars are 50 years old and still so reliable. You either love them or hate them and I'm passionate about them."

For more information on Style Cars visit www.stylecars.org.uk.

9:14am Tuesday 26th February 2008

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