The unique Allard M1 offered here was first owned by a man of some stature in Devon, for Arthur Ferguson-Davie was not only a baronet but also a clergyman, an Army chaplain and an enthusiastic motorist.

'LTA 300' was supplied new by Hughes of Exeter, then one of the country's largest Ford dealerships and also an agent for Allard.

This arrangement made sense as the major mechanical components of most Allards were supplied by Ford.

The car was delivered finished in black with maroon upholstery.

Its original logbook reveals that the Allard first changed hands in November 1954, passing to inventor John George Pax Weatherlake, patentee of a novel type of sextant.

'LTA 300' was acquired in Somerset as a 'barn find' in 2006 by the current (third) owner, internationally renowned furniture designer Mark Wilkinson, OBE, though he had been aware of its existence for over 30 years.

Mr Weatherlake generously parted with it as a gift.

Complete but obviously requiring full restoration, the car...