fordconsul.co.uk

 

August 2001 - I spotted the Consul in the club magazine 18 months after joining with the intent of purchasing a MK2. Previous to this 1959 Hi-Line my father had owned a Consul 375 (Registration 553 YTB) and I was anxious to return to the big Fords. Following up the advert with a visit to see the car on route to the national at Drayton Manor. Stopping in Northampton (actually a small town on the outskirts called New Duston) I was genuinely impressed at the overall condition of the vehicle. 

Unsurprisingly I wasn't the only candidate for the car and Mr Wingrove (the previous owner) wished to see all the candidates before making a decision. I received the phone call to say I had been successful two weeks later but was on route to Poland at the time and had to post a cheque and say I would collect the car in a months time.

I collected SRP 463 from Northampton on my return from Europe,  supported by my father and uncle who also provided the 'A' frame for moving the car.  

Mr. Wingrove, (pictured above) said his final goodbyes to the car and drove her onto the transporter. Now only a few hundred miles home to Newcastle! 

On route home we stopped at a Ford dealer for petrol and were provided with complimentary hotdogs and Burgers as part of a promotion - well we did have three cars to fill with fuel.

September 2001 - Having replaced the broken brake cylinder on the front offside wheel and changed the oil she passed the MOT with only one tyre needing replacement! On the road for the first time we went down to a family wedding in Andover an incident free 700 miles and really enjoyable drive. The car is now off the road for the winter with a few jobs to do before I hopefully take her to France next year.