Capitalising on the booming restoration market, eBay Parts & Accessories recently helped three lucky classic car enthusiasts restore their classics – of varying degree – back to better than new. A £4,000 budget was offered to each of the chosen three to spend on the online marketplace site, with three months to finish the job.
The cars? A Triumph GT6 Mk3, which you can see at this weekend's Silverstone Classic on the Restoration Live stand, a VW Beetle and a Riley Kestrel, of all things.
David Newell has a dream: "I want little boys to think, 'you know what, I dont have to have a silver Mondeo. I can make interesting choices and keep the roads an interesting place to be and celebrate the classic car heritage we have.'" His means of realising that dream is a Triumph GT6 Mk3 that's seen better, less rusty days. Until now.
Apprentice test engineer Robyn, 21, has always been a Beetle fan. So follow her journey from a little more than a rolling shell of a 1300 to a personalised and upgraded Beetle, with an extra 300cc.
A surprise birthday present for owner Charlie's 21st birthday, and the more obscure of the trio: a Riley Kestrel 1300. "Driveable, but bland", he says, and so – naturally – white wall tyres are bought along with plenty of small touches to return the car to its 1960s pomp. And, more importanly, all of the leaks are plugged.
123ABC
The 2025 Japanese GP showed a much more extreme change than next year's technical regulations is needed to make racing at classic F1 tracks interesting
Max Verstappen looks set to be pitched into a hectic, high-stakes battle for F1 victories in 2025, between at least four teams. How will fans react if he resorts to his trademark strongman tactics?
Red Bull has a new team-mate for Max Verstappen in 2025 – punchy F1 firebrand Liam Lawson could finally be the raw racer it needs in the second seat
The 2024 F1 season was one of the wildest every seen, for on-track action and behind-the-scenes intrigue – James Elson predicts how 2025 could go even further