Matthew Vale attended Yateley Comprehensive School, where he was made Head Boy, and then spent two years at the University of London Goldsmith's College failing a Geology degree, but having a great time while doing it! He started work in the computer centre at the Military Vehicles Engineering Establishment, leaving in 1975 as a Scientific Officer. He then spent the rest of his career working in Computer Security, before retiring in the 2010s. He began writing in the mid 2000s, concentrating on books on classic British motorbikes and cars. He has now completed over twenty titles, with subjects ranging from BSA and Triumph motorbikes, through Triumph, Austin and TVR cars to Lotus and Aston Martin. His interests include restoring British motorbikes and Lotus cars while also helping to maintain his local canal.