Net gain as Buick bought on eBay up for car of year award

He has spent 18 months lovingly restoring his 1949 Buick Roadmaster, estimated to be worth $120,000, and now he could scoop an award at a classic motor show.

Mr Westwood, 56, from Pontefract, has been interested in old American cars and he had only seen a photograph of the Buick on the internet before he decided to part with his cash and have it shipped over from the United States.

“I bought the car over the telephone two years ago having spotted it on eBay.

“Considering it hadn’t turned a wheel since the 1960s, the restoration went quite smoothly.”

He says it can cost up to £60,000 to restore a classic car like this. He keeps it in storage along with two other cars.

Mr Westwood, who is a builder, has already tasted success by winning heat two of a competition held at the American Auto Club International Summer Nationals, in Northampton, in June.

Later this year his car is entered in The Footman James Classic Motor Show, in Birmingham, where it could win Car of the Year. It takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from Friday November 11 to Sunday, November 13.