gearstick

"Paul Newman backed my first play after a major theatre told me that no one would pay to see a play about lesbians," says Gearstick. That play.

The interior offers surprising luxury and features grey leather seats with blue details and an embossed logo, leather steering wheel trimmed in blue and a metallic Gordini gearstick.

Q I HAVE a 1998 Mercedes SL500, which has Brabus markings on the steering wheel and gearstick and Brabus badges outside.

The short shift gearstick in alloy and leather also looks the part while sun visors on each side boast side-lit mirrors.

Hence the upright driving position, the appalling low-set sat nav placement and the siting of the gearstick miles away from where you'd ideally want it.

I jump into the driver's seat and immediately feel stately - you forget how upright classic cars can be and this one has a long, spindly gearstick.

Meanwhile, Nick yesterday revealed boss Simon nearly caused a traffic accident in North London by moving the car gearstick as Caroline Flack - who co-presents X Factor with Olly Murs - drove the team to Wembley.

This year's plays, being performed on July 17-18, are John Maines' fashion industryinspired Party of Three; Gearstick, by Stuart Crowther in which the year is 2052 and being female is prohibited; Room Circus from C J Ehrlich,, and Wes Williams' comedy Glowboys.

Kate Kinninmont, chief executive of Women in Film and TV, said: "Peter Davison was a brilliant Doctor Who but I think his time travel gearstick has got stuck in reverse."

Inside, the all black sports seats boast extra side support and both Monte Carlo Tech versions come with black roof lining, a perforated leather steering wheel with red stitching plus a leather handbrake and gearstick gaiter.

Inside there are black and red sports seats, a three-spoke leather steering wheel with red stitching, leather handbrake and gearstick gaiter with red stitching and matching floor mats while a two-tone grey and black dashboard adds to the appeal.

It had the obligatory radio and CD player, but aside from that it was a steering wheel, three pedals and a gearstick.

The model features revised taillamps and rear bumper, white illumination on the gauges, perforated leather seats, an updated automatic gearstick, Bluetooth audio, 5.8-inch LCD multi-information display, USB audio input and HD radio.

The vehicle has been unused for over 40 years and still has its original gearstick, floor-button starter, Dunlop tyres and Lucas battery from 1968.

He said she had been left angry by the driver twice telling her to move her leg away from the gearstick as he drove.