‘An A40 was ideal as our first resto'

1958 Austin A40 Paul Skilleter, Hants. Adrian Boyd, Northern Ireland

Probably the most famous Austin A40 in the world, ‘Zoey’ was Pat Moss’s steed for the 1958 Monte Carlo rally before becoming the first ever Practical Classics restoration. Owned in 1980 by PC founder Paul Skilleter, ‘Zoey’ was sold to her current owner, Adrian Boyd, in 1991.

Paul, how did you come by Zoey?

'I first saw Zoey sitting in Big Healey specialist John Chatham's yard around 1976, but actually bought it from the late (and sadly missed) Philip Young over Christmas 1978.'

So she became the first PC resto?

'Zoey was ideal as our first Project Car restoration - a typically common old British saloon, often seen in everyday use, but unloved except by just a few enthusiasts. I felt an A40 on the cover of the first issue would convey the message that we were there for what is today called the 'unexceptional'.'

How involved was that rebuild?

'Zoey was also a very historic ex-monte Carlo Rally works car, so we were meticulous in preserving as much of the original metal as possible. It was a very complicated and lengthy process.'

And what did you do with her once she was finished?

'Paul Rosenthal and I developed the car for special-stage historic rallying, and it had a fairy-tale ending as we swept the board in the 1985 Coronation Rally on the wonderful closed roads on the Epynt ranges in Wales - winning outright plus best in class, best historic rally car, fifth fastest on stage times etc.'

Adrian, tell us why you bought Zoey and what you used her for?

'I loved the history of the car and was looking for a car that my son and I could both use for rallies. I bought her in September 1991 and immediately got stuck in to preparing her for stage rallying. We fitted bucket seats and harnesses and an FIA approved roll cage. My son, Jonathan, took her on the Donegall historic rally in 1992. Later that year, I competed in her on the Circuit of Ireland historic rally with Jonathan navigating.'

You’re quite an accomplished rally driver, I understand? When did you last use her?