After his death last year, Bamforth's widow, Lucy, commissioned Jackson Bridge-based IK Classics owner Ian Kellett to restore the Bamforth-Chevrolet `Challenge Special,' which had been languishing in a field at Mr Bamforth's home near Wilshaw.The car, which is powered by a massive 6.5 litre V8 engine, beat off competition from some of the finest examples of motoring art in the world, including legendary factory prototypes, coachbuilt Ferraris and even one of the Queen's Rolls Royce Phantoms in the Style et Luxe category.

"When I discovered the stock car, I said to Lucy that a car with such a great history should be restored," said Mr Kellett. "We had only 15 weeks to get it ready, but thanks to a lot of work and a whole host of people, we got it done." He added: "I couldn't believe it when I heard the car had won.

"We were up against both British and American stock cars from the 50s and 60s, prepared by professional stock car drivers."I don't know why we won, but we did try to keep to the spirit of the original. After all, it is a genuine world champion car."I had just been looking forward to the atmosphere and seeing one of my cars on the Goodwood lawn next to some of the finest cars in the world, so it was unbelievable to win."

The panel of judges were a wide-ranging selection of media, design and motoring personalities including presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Johnnie Walker, Sir Terence Conran, film director Nicolas Roeg and vice president of design at Ford, J Mays.

Before & After Picture Gallery