Long lost family car turns up - what are the chances???!!!!

[Mash]

I am absolutely dumbfounded

 

Went out with my dad to an event today near Doncaster and we took the Datsun out for a run. Went up M62/M180 and car performed faultlessly at 70+ but I thought I'd go back along the A614 instead for a leisurely run home to Hull. Now some of you will be familiar with the little garage at Gilberdyke that has a few old 'uns in and I slowed down for a look as usual. Hmm, black Daimler Consort there like the one grandad had. Caught the number out of the corner of my eye and a hasty U-turn had me straight back there.

 

By some unimaginable coincidence this is the very car that my grandad owned in the 60's and 70's! He sold it in about 1974, probably because of rising fuel costs and that was that. I thought it had gone initially to an enthusiast in West Yorkshire. Always fondly remembered in the family I have often looked out for it in vain at shows but alas it was not on the DVLA computer. No wonder! It turned up in Lincolnshire about 6 months ago and still wears its last tax disc from 1979. Here are a few pics then and now:

 

Grandad looking suitably cool with shades!

 

 

My uncle with the car:

 

 

As mum and dad's wedding limo in 1970:

 

 

And how it is today:

 

 

Unfortunately I interrupted their dinner so not much time to talk about it but I'm popping back next week with the pics hopefully. Of course now the cogs are going round in my head about acquiring it but depends on the price and whether he's holding the plate to ransom or not...

 

Sorry for the long post but I'm naturally quite excited by this!

 

 

[retrogeezer]

Wow!Now that is just fantastic!!I hope the seller can come to a deal with you - how great would it be to have your grandads car back - awesome.

[Mr Lobster]

Really hope you can buy it back, that would be superb!

[seth]

Amazing! Hope it can be acquired

[dollywobbler]

Excellent!

[VWPowered]

good luck very uber cool

[trigger]

Agreed and what a great story, Love the before and now photos.Hope it all goes well, and that the owner doesn't try and fleece you on the price knowing how much the car means to you.

[michiel]

How cool - get it!

[Mash]

Thanks for all the positive comments guys It would be amazing to have it back in the family but I am stacked out with motors at present! I do have plans to sell one this year but of course that might have to be two if this comes good. Just have to play it by ear, he mentioned doing some work but whether that's just getting it roadworthy I'm not sure.Consorts are not the most expensive cars even in top notch condition luckily, maybe 5 grand. As it is, I suppose it's worth about £1500 tops? Seems solid enough if a little scruffy.

[500tops]

awesome! it must be fate... all the very best of luck in getting the ole girl back.

[bigstraight6]

What a great story this is! I really hope you can get the old girl back Mash, and with a bit of luck it won't be 'plate raped'.

[seth]

Hey, Mash, if you can get the current owners consent send the story in to C&SC as a readers find. They love that sort of thing.

[dollywobbler]

Hey, Mash, if you can get the current owners consent send the story in to C&SC as a readers find. They love that sort of thing.

Oi! The scrutty weekly rag was 'ere first!

[trigger]

Hey, Mash, if you can get the current owners consent send the story in to C&SC as a readers find. They love that sort of thing.

Oi! The scrutty weekly rag was 'ere first!

Off Topic, I brought CCW today for the first time for ages as I'm looking for a car, Nice to see Geoff Philips in there with his Not a Capri.

[Station]

Is your grand-dad still around? I'd get a loan for that, it's fate, try and get it back!!

[Ratdat]

That's excellent... I'd love to find one of my old mans' old motors. Hope he doesn't try to fleece you on the price.

[scrappylad]

Nice story.What's the chances really... must be fate!Wish I could have the same fate with my old family car... but I think its probably long gone - you never know though...

[pompei]

Fantastic! I know the garage well but have never seen the owners. Hope you get the car - is it a runner? PS See they still have that Hawk there - been there for absolute yonks!

[mouseflakes]

Great story - best of luck with it - hope it comes home.Love the period shots!

[VWPowered]

it's fate, try and get it back!!

+1

[Albert Ross]

I can't see the plate being held to ransom, it surely has to be taxed and MOT'ed before a transfer can take place, or even put on retention?Get it!

[STUNO]

Absolutely stunnning. And it is in good nick too. NEEDS COMPOUNDING like the E bay pug

[pompei]

Off topic I know, but where was the photo of your folks' wedding taken?

[IanF]

Good luck with that. Would love to turn up a couple of my old mans cars at some point.

[seth]

Hey, Mash, if you can get the current owners consent send the story in to C&SC as a readers find. They love that sort of thing.

Oi! The scrutty weekly rag was 'ere first!

Sorry Ian C&SC "did" my Sun-tor so I always think of them in these situations.

[reallyloud]

Always good to hear a happy story. You have to get it - no questions. The seller will hopefully be a sympathetic type and see how much the car means to you. As Harry Hill would say, 'What are the chances?'Interesting to see the plates in the older pics are the modern reflective type, but obviously got changed to something more suitable since then.

[fotorabia]

thats awesum!..C&SC found my grandads injected V12 E-type..the owner rang me here in NZ from Glasgow...but unfortunately the E-types supercar status means ill never own it!...hope u get it..

[Spottedlaurel]

Amazing that it's survived and you saw it! Would be wonderful if you could come to a deal on it.

[Split_Pin]

Great story - I hope you'd sell it.If I ever found any of my parents or grandparents really old cars I'd sell most things to get them back.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Great story, you must get that car back!I know my grandad's beloved Consul was sold to an enthusiast back in 1982, but despite owning it for 20 years, there isn't a single picture showing the reg plate