A Llanbradach car enthusiast is hoping to make it through to the final of this year’s Classic Car of the Year competition.
Barry Chillington, the proud owner of a stunning 1953 Bristol 401, is hoping to make it to the shortlist of five finalists for the competition.
The five shortlisted cars will go head to head at the Footman James Classic Motor Show, at Birmingham’s NEC next month where an outright winner will be crowned.
Barry said: “I was drawn to the Bristol 401 by its shape, which was streamlined by an aircraft builder, and its sporting history.
“I searched for this model for several years as it is quite rare and they don’t come up for sale very often. Then a breakthrough came as a tip off that a person who raced and owned a Cooper Bristol racing car had one and may sell it. I went to see the car and it seems it was obtained for its engine which they would have rebuilt and used for spares for the Cooper Bristol. The only problem was that ‘Muffin’, as they called it due to its number ‘MUF S75’ had a cracked block, which made the engine useless for a racing engine.
“Anyway, I felt sorry for the car and paid the asking price and got it home on a trailer. This all happened 22 years ago and I stripped the car to a shell. Over the 22 years, in between working abroad, I have virtually rebuilt every nut and bolt. I retired ten years ago so was able to work on it a little more. There is still some trim work to finish through the winter but the car passed it’s MOT and became roadworthy in July this year. I’m still testing and sorting out a few running problems, which I expected after 22 years, but ‘Muffin’ has stuck and everyone calls it that even after 22 years.”
Readers can help Barry get through to the shortlist by voting for the car on the competition’s website.