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Man, 94, finds father's beloved classic car on auction site

Justin Dealey/BBC Malcolm Stern standing in front of a classic car, holding a 3D printed version of the carJustin Dealey/BBC
Malcolm Stern bought the car in 2020 at auction after finding it when he was trying to make a 3D printed model

A man who discovered his father's beloved classic car on an auction website has completed its restoration after three years of graft.

Malcolm Stern, from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, chanced on the 1930s Talbot Darracq while trying to recreate a 3D model.

He said he could not believe it was the very car his father owned, although it had become a "right wreck".

The 94-year-old said taking it to the road again was "terrifying".

"Many people get old cars but this one is different, because it was my father's car, it makes it a little bit special," he said.

Mr Stern bought a 3D printer before lockdown and wanted to make a model of the bright yellow classic car his father owned and drove when he was growing up.

When looking for reference pictures on the internet, he found the actual car being sold at auction.

Justin Dealey/BBC 3D printed model of the 1930s classic carJustin Dealey/BBC
The 94-year-old was researching the classic car to create a 3D model when he discovered his father's original for sale

He said his father, Alec Stern, acquired the car in 1935, adding: "He drove that car to work every day, and he took us on picnics.

The yellow classic car was manufactured in 1930 and is nearly as old as Malcolm Stern himself.

When Mr Stern and his wife went to visit the car, they said it looked a "right wreck" but decided to buy it for £6,000 because it was so special.

"For sentimental reasons I thought I would buy it... then we brought the car home, and that was in September 2020 and I've been working on the car three years since," he said.

"The original engine was smashed up in a rally... I reckon that the renovators did about 2,000 hours work and I reckon I did about 1,000."

Justin Dealey/BBC Malcolm Stern holding a family photograph whilst sitting on the running board of the carJustin Dealey/BBC
Mr Stern remembers sitting on the running board on the car and having his photograph taken as a child alongside his sister

Mr Stern now hopes to spend another six months renovating the interior, saying the restoration project had been "difficult" and "expensive".

He said: "I'm still very excited, very surprised that I'm 94, able to be here and do this and still be fit enough to go out in the car for a ride.

"I think my father would be very proud, he'd be very excited as well," he said.

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