Family find car – after 25 years GETTING picked up from school in a classic roadster can be a memorable event – especially when the car was built by your grandfather, who sold it 25 years ago. As a 13th birthday treat for Narissa Merry, her mother, Rachel

Family find car - after 25 years

GETTING picked up from school in a classic roadster can be a memorable event - especially when the car was built by your grandfather, who sold it 25 years ago.

As a 13th birthday treat for Narissa Merry, her mother, Rachel, took the Classic Spartan Roadster to Abbey College, Ramsey, to surprise her daughter.

She had tracked down and bought the roadster that had been lovingly built from a kit by the teenager's grandfather, Gerald, in 1975 when he lived in Wales. Mrs Merry bought it back for £1,100.

It took him 18 months to complete and was his until 1981 when he sold the car.

The family thought the vehicle was gone for good until Mrs Merry, who lives in Ramsey with her family, decided to try to trace it.

"We had been looking at some old photos of myself with the car, which were taken when I was about 10, and we began to wonder where she might be now," she said.

"I never dreamed that I would be able to find her again, let alone become her owner.

"She's still in pretty good condition although we need to do some work on the mechanics before she is restored to her former glory.

"It was a lengthy business tracking her down. I contacted the DVLA, who would only make contact with the owner once I had provided them with proof of my identity and other security details.

"I corresponded with the owners by e-mail and they sent me photos of the car.

"I only asked to have first refusal if they ever came to sell her, I didn't really expect it to happen."

Narissa said: "I usually expect to walk home from college with my friends but mum had asked me to meet her outside.

"Everybody was crowding around the car gazing at her with envy. I can't believe that one day I might be able to drive such a cool car.

"I'm desperate to drive her and will do almost anything to get behind the wheel once I'm 17.

"I've even promised mum that I'll clean and polish the car regularly.