Canny motorists Wesley Turnbull, from Bellingham, knows a good deal when he sees one – especially when it’s a desirable pick-up truck, rust-free and with just 16,000 miles on the clock.
But the key feature clinching the sale was the vehicle’s age – 48 years old!
Wesley, 65 and a retired Jumbo jet flight engineer, is a life-long vintage vehicle fan and organiser of a major rally to be hosted by the Forestry Commission in Kielder Water & Forest Park on Sunday 10 May.
Over 100 machines from yesteryear - from the legendary Ford Model T to the 1970s Morris Marina, along with classic tractors and motorbikes - will park-up for the day at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre, offering a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era of motoring.
Making its debut at the show will be Wesley’s new pride and joy – a rare blue Ford Thames, newly restored and one of only 300 to survive anywhere in the world.
Widely regarded as the forerunner of the Ford Transit, over 188,000 were made and sold throughout the world.
It has taken Wesley three years to nurse it back to health, but as well as reaching for the oil can and spanners, he also had to recruit a carpenter! He explained:
“Like a lot of vehicles from this era much of the body work was actually built of wood. Luckily I’ve been able to call on the services of a retired coach builder from Hexham to help complete the overhaul. I’ve also stripped the truck down to its nuts and bolts, so it’s now in fine fettle and worth a heck of a lot more than it originally sold for.”
Wesley came across the truck in a barn in Durham where it had been stored for 38 years, which accounts for the amazingly low mileage. He added:
“It’s a really lovely runner and now its finished we’ll paint it in the livery in the family timber business and get it back on the road. It will be just one of scores of exhibits in a record turnout at Kielder Water & Forest Park. The show has proved incredibly popular, especially with cars this year, making it a great day out for the public.”
The vintage vehicle rally runs from 10.30am to 4pm. Entry is free. For further details contact Kielder Castle Visitor Centre on 01434 250209, or go to www.visitkielder.com.
Kielder Water & Forest Park is home to the largest forest in England and the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe. It was recently voted the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
Notes to editor
The Kielder Partnership is a public, voluntary and private sector collaboration working to develop Kielder Water & Forest Park as an inspirational place for leisure, exploration and fun. Partners are the Calvert Trust, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Northumberland County Council, Northumbrian Water, plus representation from community groups.
Media calls to:
Richard Darn (Forestry Commission) on 01226 246351. Mobile 0775 367 0038.
Philippa Clark, Communications Advisor (Kielder Water & Forest Park), on 0191 301 5538. 07970 897 756 or philippa.clark@nwl.co.uk