Meet the loosest unit on Australian roads

The cars Tilly Whitfield drives - and occasionally - crashes

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So you might know the name Tilly Whitfield if you’re a fan of Big Brother. She was on the show back in 2021, and quickly became a crowd favourite. It’s no surprise. She had the three reality TV golden qualities:  Hot, fun, and kooky. 

I personally got to know Tilly when she pitched a podcast to me at my non-car-related day job. 

Before our meeting, I checked out her Instagram. I was expecting the usual influencer fodder. Cute photos, product endorsements, Hello Fresh codes. You know the deal. 

And yes, there was a bit of the above. 

But the video which really caught my attention was a live stream with friend and fellow contestant Marley Biyendolo. I watched slack-jawed as Tilly - on a whim - decided she wanted a new piercing. Using the phone’s camera as a mirror, she shoved a questionably-sanitised needle through her own earlobe while blood poured down her arm. Marley was horrified. Tilly was unphased. 

I was in awe. 

We’re still working through podcast ideas, but in the meantime Tilly has become one of my favourite Australian celebrities. Yes, she’s hot and kooky. But she’s also warm and extremely unpredictable.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tilly also has a somewhat chequered driving history. Which brings me back to the Car Pit.  

I had a chat with Tilly about what she’s driving. During the interview, I got to hear the story of how she managed to crash her car three separate times within the span of just 10 days. You can read the interview here. I also highly recommend you follow Tilly’s Instagram page. It’s a much wilder ride than any car you’ll be hopping in today. 

Speaking about hopping into cars, I got to fang around in the Volkswagen Golf Life a few weeks ago. 

I wasn’t initially excited by the Golf as it strikes me as a pretty utilitarian vehicle. Safe, practical… boring. But it’s actually much more enjoyable than the dull exterior would have you believe. 

The interior had a few fun gimmicks like customisable internal lighting, big infotainment screens, and a very solid sound system. I dubbed it ‘the disco car’. 

But was the Golf all style and no substance? Perhaps. If you want the full review, you can read it here.

And if you’re still looking to kill time, there’s a guide to the most objectionable food outlet known to man: those trucks which sell dagwood dogs at music festivals and race tracks. 

I briefly had a job working in one back in my 20s. I learnt a lot that day. Yes, mostly about why I should be less impulsive accepting work. But I also discovered a few carnie trade secrets about the food — I am now generously passing them on to you. 

If you haven’t already, make sure you follow the Car Pit’s Instagram. I’ve got a few video reviews up there now which seem to be doing particularly well with teenage boys from Eastern Europe. Maybe you’ll like them as well.

I’ll talk to you next week. In the meantime, make sure you stay on the Car Pit.

Steph Coombes