A former amateur rally driver who couldn’t afford the multi-million-pound price tag to buy the car of his dreams has been awarded a special trophy by bosses at The Lakeland Motor Museum – for his stunning scratch-built replica.
Burnley man Neil Calvert was awarded the accolade when his faithfully recreated SWB (short wheelbase) Ferrari 250 Berlinetta was judged to be the most ‘interesting or unique’ vehicle at the most recent ‘Drive & Ride-In Day’ at the South Cumbrian attraction. Neil’s car – which caught the judges’ eyes on Sunday 9 September, is the result of a two-year project by Grassbank Conversions to recreate the classic – original versions of which have sold for upward of £7.5m at auction.
Owners of classic cars and motorbikes descended on the heritage attraction at the weekend where drivers showed off their pride and joy while comparing notes with other like-minded enthusiasts.
After receiving the surprise trophy, Neil said, “Unless you’re extremely wealthy, these cars are simply impossible to buy these days, so the next best thing is to build one. The beauty of that of course, is that mine has all the mod-cons that the original versions don’t have. It’s got air conditioning, heated seats, a DAB radio with bluetooth, as well as front and rear parking sensors. It’s nicer to drive than the originals and is more economical too. I’d only just recently heard about the museum and its ‘Drive & Ride In Day’ and thought it sounded like the perfect time to go and check it out. I didn’t know vehicles were being judged, so it was a really nice surprise to have my car recognised like that. I was just over the moon!”
Neil’s car will also be on display at the coming weekend’s Classic Car Show at Manchester’s Event City, on September 15 and 16.
