Northern Echo Friday April 24th 2009

One of the World's rarest Cars has been sent to a Teesdale workshop to be restored.

The 97 year old Alldays & Onions 4 Cylinder open Tourer is being Restored to as near its original condition by Dick Francis And Steve Layton at their Carrosserie workshop in Barnard Castle.

As work started on it, they revealed that the credit crunch was giving their buisiness a boost, with some wealthy people putting money into Vintage Vehicles rather than other investments.

The Car is only one of Four left in the world, and one of 25 various types which still exsist from a range made by Alldays & Onions in Birmingham between 1904 & 1915.

Mr Layton said "We have been busy for the last few years, but the recession has bought us even more buisiness. Investors know that if they put their cash into special cars like these they are certain to increase in value."

The Tourers owner, Mr Richard Dover, would not reveal the exact price that he paid for it 18 months ago, but said that it was worth "tens of thousands of pounds" and added. "Its value has doubled since then owing to the credit crunch."

The car lay in bits in South Africa for years before someone bought it and tried to restore it.

It was eventually sent back to britain and had several owners before being bought by Mr Dover of Glasgow. He added: It has a top speed of 40 mph downhill. It is best at about 25 mph, but some people find it too frightening to travel in.

"I am looking forward to seeing it done up nicely and driving in it. Driving is seriously mindbending. Starting it is complicated enough but then you have to contend with the sheer panic of getting in and moving without stalling." 

It is now being fitted with a new Ash Body Frame. This will be skinned with Aluminium and new curved seats will be made.

By Jim McTaggart