Corgi VA10311 Ford Cortina Mk3 2000 GXL Sapphire Blue 1:43 Scale

The GXL modelled was made at Dagenham in October 1971, a year after the Mk3 Cortina's launch. It was briefly displayed at Ford dealers Doe Motors, Maldon, Essex before being registered in November 1971 when purchased by Neil Renwick, whose family kept the car after his death in 2008. In 2011, Southport-based Cortina enthusiast Pete Crompton saw a picture of it on the net sitting in a waterlogged field in Essex (hence nickname 'Swampy’), where it had been for twenty-four years and scoured Google Earth until he'd fathomed its location. The original owner's brother, Grahame, then agreed to sell Pete the car, realising he seriously intended to restore this rare but very rusty Cortina.

Pete stripped what was left of the extremely rotten shell, braced it, then had it chemically dipped to remove dirt and rust. What came back was not pretty, the cabin floors, inner and outer sills, inner and outer wings, boot floor, engine bay and roof all needed replacing or extensive welding. Undaunted he made a detailed plan then just got on with it, keeping a log of his work (4400 hours in over two years) and posting regular updates about the project on YouTube. With help and support from a team too big to mention he was able to finish the car, with a number of subtle improvements such as extra sound deadening and stiffer suspension, for the Three Counties Ford 'Cortina Day' 2014.

Engine: 1993cc 4IL SOHC

Power: 98bhp@5500rpm

Torque: 111lb.ft@3500rpm

0-60mph: 10.7 seconds

Maximum speed:105mph

Unladen weight: 2346lbs