Second Base

Owner hopes star vintage car will be a smashing hit

0 Comments | South Wales Evening Post, May 13, 2010

A GARAGE owner from Neath with a passion for racing cars is now set to burn rubber behind the wheel of a 48-year-old screen star.

Mike English, who owns a vehicle repairs garage in Neath, snapped up a vintage Rover P4 after spotting the vehicle on eBay and learnt of its famous pedigree.

“It has been used as a prop in shows such as Heartbeat and Bergerac,” said Mr English, of Melin, Neath.

The car was built in 1962 and has a 2.25 petrol engine and four doors.

“It was the family car of its day, and the sixties equivalent of the Ford Mondeo,” he said.

Despite the car’s celebrity credentials, Mr English said he picked it up for a reasonable price, and is about to put it to the test at a banger race contest in Oxfordshire on Sunday.

“It was coming to the end of its useable life for television, so I picked it up for a snip,” he said.

Contest However, Mr English said the vehicle required some tender loving care before being ready to begin its new career as a racing car.

“It was in a right old state and I had to patch it up, but now it is race ready,” said the 39-year-old.

He revealed that he would travel to Oxfordshire with his best friend and family, including 14-year-old son Liam, who raced in the junior classes.

Mr English said he also planned to fly the flag for his region at the event by sporting a Swan on the roof.

“It shows I am a visiting driver rather than a local one,” he told the Post.

Mr English said it was doubtful the car would look as good after the contest as it currently did.

“If I have had a good day I go for a destruction derby, which is the last race of the day,” he said.

Mr English said the derby offered the chance to win a trophy, as well as a cash prize.

“Because it is an old-style car and very well built I stand a good chance,” he said.

However, the event could spell the end for the car’s small screen looks.

“There will not be much left of it,” said Mr English.