I’m not into cars. I’m appreciative when one transports me to work or play without incident and I like playing “spotto”, but I have no care for brands, engine specs or the merits of electric v petrol.

So why did I recently travel all the way from my home near Byron Bay to Melbourne specifically to say goodbye to ROP, the nickname of the car I’ve owned for 23 years? It was because of love.

Vivienne Pearson with her children Summer, 10, and Griffin, 7, and their beloved car in 2015.

A big part of that love is for my daughter, who adopted our family car when she moved interstate for uni. I wanted to support her while she went to the wreckers to collect her personal belongings after the car accident that resulted in ROP being written off. But I also wanted – needed – to make this trip for myself.

I needed to say goodbye to the car that has been an integral part of my family’s life, including bringing both our children home from hospital, the trip north for our interstate sea change, both kids learning to drive, and then accompanying my daughter back south for her........

© The Sydney Morning Herald