Classic car from 1974 found in dusty garage with just 86 miles on it

By Sophie Watson via SWNS

A time-warp 1974 Vauxhall Victor FE with just 86 miles on the clock has been discovered in a dusty garage.

The classic motor was bought brand new but was virtually unused by its proud owner, known only as Mr. Milner.

Before the pristine car was locked away in an outbuilding, its moss-green bodywork was oiled and the seats were covered in polythene.

Bizarrely, a dozen empty red fuel canisters along with a 1974 Haynes manual, were put in the trunk.

The car was found locked in a garage following Mr. Milner’s death around ten years ago.

After being sold to a collector by the executors of Mr. Milner's estate, it was bought by The Great British Car Journey museum in Ambergate, UK, last November.

Staff recently posted pictures of the car on Facebook in a bid to discover more about its history and the mysterious Mr. Milner.

Documents found in the glove box show Mr. Milner bought the car from Mercury Garage, in Ilkeston, UK, on April 12, 1974.

Six years after the car was purchased, Mr. Milner took it to Derby for Ziebart rust-proofing.

It then had its cream leather seats covered in protective wrapping and a number of spare parts, including an exhaust pipe and fuel cans, put in the boot.

The car is thought to have sat untouched for decades before it was finally unearthed during a house clearance following Mr. Milner’s death.

Richard Felkin, who bought the car from Mr. Milner’s estate, said: “The car was originally found by Dez Dexter who does demolition work – we buy all the reclaimed bricks off him.

“He was asked to clear this land by the executor of the will for Mr. Milner when he passed but he didn’t know the car was there.

“I was collecting bricks and ended up buying the car from him.

“When I found the car, all the chrome and lights had been removed and stored in the car.

“What couldn’t be removed was covered over to protect it.”

With no family or friends to ask, the museum is hoping those who lived nearby at the time may be able to provide some information about the car's history.

The car has the registration plate SRB 705M and has a top speed of 110mph.

Museum founder Richard Usher said: "We would love to know more about this Victor and why the owner never used it.

“It really is a one-of-a-kind story that we're desperate to know more about.

"If the name of Mr. Milner or the car description rings any bells, please get in touch with us, as we would love to solve the puzzle of this mystery car."