The vendor bought the car earlier this year, has had it stored away ever since and, as if often the way with such things, then found himself not using it or doing anything he’d imagined he might be doing with it.

The reason is ergonomics, because it soon became apparent that the car was really better suited to someone rather shorter (he's 6' 3").

So, it’s back on the market and his loss could turn out to be your gain.

The previous owner bought the car in 1985, kept it for nearly 40 years and, during the 1990s, had it pretty much rebuilt from the ground-up and optimally specified for racing events.

The extent to which he succeeded may be measured by the size and quality of his trophy cabinet, which includes HSCC Historic Roadsports and 1970’s Roadsports class wins among numerous other accolades to be found on shelves buckling under the weight of cups, medals, gongs and rosettes.

Even when it’s filled to the brim with oil, water and other life-giving fluids, this stripped-down GRP r...