eBay have selected the three winners of the eBay Car Challenge. The restorers will each receive £4,000 to spend on parts and accessories from eBay UK to complete their classic car restoration.
With nearly two thousand entries (double the number of entries compared to 2016) competition was fierce, demonstrating just how well eBay is penetrating the DIY car restorer market. eBay aim to ignite the passion of these car owners, many of whom have had a restoration project sitting in a garage for years. Not only do they want to show that a DIY restoration is possible and achievable on a relatively low budget, but also to engage the DIY restoration audience with buying parts on eBay.
Matt Wilkin, from the eBay Motors team, tells me that the restorations in the eBay car challenge aren’t meant to be hundred thousand pound concours restorations, the aim is to turn a much loved wreck into a road worthy daily runner which was achieved by all three restorers in last year’s eBay Car Challenge. At the same time it makes great social content which is really engaging and people can watch along as the projects progress.
Ultimately the aim is encouraging DIY restorers to get projects started or finished and of course to highlight eBay as the premier destination for both new and used car parts and accessories in the UK. If you’re wondering how important motors are to eBay, take a look at the browser meta names that eBay specify – ‘eBay, electronics, cars, clothing, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods, digital cameras, antiques, tickets, jewelry, online shopping, auction, online auction’ – Cars come second after Electronics.
This year three completely different projects have been selected for the DIY Wheeler Dealer type treatment. A classic car, a camper van and a 4×4.
Alex and his 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto
The rarest of the three cars, Alex Morris’ 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto has only had one other previous owner. As a child, Alex was always gripped by rare cars but developed a true love of Alfa Romeos as soon as he could drive – appreciating their ‘under-stated style’.
The restoration will be the first full project Alex has undertaken and describes it as his ‘baptism of fire’. With the engine needing a full repair, and new upholstery, a nose replacement and a full strip and repaint required, the task ahead is a daunting one. But with youth and enthusiasm on his side, Alex is confident he’ll be bringing a bit of ‘Italian chic’ to the Dartmoor roads come July.
Carl and his 1974 VW Shorty Camper Van
eBay’s second restorer is on a mission to merge the old with the new. Carl Pickard is obsessed with finding authentic items and plans to add a contemporary twist to a classic 1974 VW shorty camper van.
He’s planning to install a Subaru engine which he claims is more fuel efficient and reliable than the original, do a complete new wiring job, and put a large speaker system in the back ‘to wake the dead’. He’s always on the hunt for design classics and Daisy D is his latest passion which he’ll tackle in his unique workshop space – a converted old car park in the middle of Southampton.
Dan and his 1964 ex-military Series 2a Land Rover
Finally meet Dan Goude’s 1964 ex-military Series 2a Land Rover ‘Bertha’ which he bought at the tender age of 18 as his first car.
Following a number of setbacks and false starts over the years, the Landy sat unused in his garage for over 20 years. The plan was to dust her off in time for Dan’s 40th last year, but alas the party excitement was too much for Bertha and a blown head-gasket landed her back in disuse.
Following a health scare of his own last year, Dan says that period was a ‘rebirth for the car and me’ as his partner and parents got the vehicle into a drivable condition to collect him from the hospital. Dan now plans to replace both the bumper and cross member with the military originals but admits that he is most excited to see the replacement bodywork go on. With eBay’s help, Dan might finally be able to realise his teenage dream.
