FREE RESTOS ONLINE

Auction website gives three young drivers £4000 to fix up their classics

The popularity of classic restoration has been recognised by eBay with the setting up of two restoration challenges. The first, the eBay Car Challenge, granted each of its three participants £4000 to buy spares online. As a result, a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle, a 1968 Riley Kestrel 1300 and a 1973 Triumph GT6 MkIII were all brought back to life. The second challenge, Restoration Live at Silverstone Classic, involved a three-day restoration of a 1983 Range Rover. Gillian Carmoodie

CHARLIE RENWICK 1968 RILEY KESTREL 1300

In Essex, Charlie Renwick worked on restoring a 1968 Riley Kestrel 1300. He says: ‘ The real shocker was when I came across a big tear in the rear subframe. It would have eventually ruined the car if I’d left it.’ To complete his inherited motor, Charlie bought a new fuel tank sender, a engine mounting and rubber piping, a walnut gearknob, a 1300 badge and BMC paint.

ROBYN AVIS-SMITH 1971 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

21-year old Robyn Avis-Smith, an engineering student from East Sussex, was the Challenge’s youngest competitor as she worked to restore her 1971 Volkswagen Beetle known as Godfrey. The Beetle was upgraded to 1600cc specification following an engine re-build with new pistons, barrels and heads. Robyn says: ‘Having Godfrey finished means so much to me.’

DAVID NEWELL 1973 TRIUMPH GT6 MKIII

David Newell of Buckinghamshire brought his 1973 MkIII Triumph GT6 known as ‘Little Red’ back to life, thanks to eBay. David obtained windscreen surround parts from a Spitfire, replacement wing-mirrors, a new distributor, coil, starter motor, steering gaiters and a Blaupunkt radio. David says: ‘I want younger people to know they don’t have to have a silver Mondeo.’