Remembering the age of the great British car

Classic British marques like, Bentley, Land Rover and Lotus just roll off the tongue, and we will always associate them with romance, glamour and luxury.

Ironically many of these iconic brands were born in towns that we don't normally associate with glamour but their names became synonymous with the area and the thousands of local people who helped build them into global icons.

The old factories have either gone or been replaced but many of those old models still live on. If you dream of ever owning a classic British car you might think given the current global financial meltdown, those dreams look further and further away... or are they!

There are bargains to be found gathering dust in old sheds and barns that could be yours. And if you want to own a classic British car, you have to know what you're doing... and if you do the right things, you might even make a pound or two!

Two people who are virtual gurus in this field are stars of the new Wheeler Dealers On The Road series, Mike Brewer and Edd China. Mike with his eye for a bargain is the man on the road finding that classic bargains, while Edd, like a youthful T-Bird in Grease, gets to grips with that overhaul!

Said Edd George, "Restoring an old car yourself can be hard work and challenging but it will reward you with the satisfaction of many hours (perhaps even years) of fun, a deep sense of pride and, because you are recycling, it will be good for the environment. You might even save money."

Mike & Edd's Top Tips

Before you buy, look at as many other similar cars as you can just to get an idea of what you are in for and what is a typical state for that model and year.

Join the owners club and talk to people who have already done whatever you want to do, ask them questions, chew the fat, that's half the fun!

Especially if you know it is going to fail, run the car through an MoT first, to help get a list of where to start.

Restoring a car can be daunting, start with the simple jobs to give you confidence.

When you get stuck or out of your depth don't be afraid to call in expert help, it is better to spend a few extra pounds early on than ruining your project and your enjoyment through stubbornness and embarrassment.

Be very, very good to your tea-maker, their support will be invaluable through the difficult times, (they might even bring you biscuits sometimes!)

Actually read the instructions! (and manuals) 20:20 hindsight after a disaster is of little comfort!

When dismantling your pride and joy take care to put the various screws, nuts, bolts and other small parts in well labelled bags or containers and where possible put them back where they came from as you remove each part.

When you finally come round to the rebuild (and it could be months or years away) a lost 'thingy' can cause a load of grief whereas everything where it should will be an absolute joy to reassemble!

Take lots of photos, it's great to have a dossier but also you may really appreciate the visual pointers later when you can't work out where that 'spare' part goes.

Finally, do it because you enjoy it, not to make money, you know we rarely do!!

Wheeler Dealers On The Road starts on Discovery Channel on 28th October

For more info visit discoverychannel.co.uk/web/realtime/