A CLASSIC car owner whose vehicle suffered a £10,000 prang at the biggest vintage car show in the world has returned in triumph a year later to scoop the top prize.

The back end of Rob Sargent’s Savage V6 Cortina MK2 3000E was damaged when a winch broke getting it off the truck at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham last year, leaving the Lydbrook 57-year-old “heartbroken”.

But he was back at the 2018 Lancaster Insurance National Classic Motor Show after months repairing his pride and joy, where the 49-year-old blue coloured motor saw off the likes of a Porsche 911, a Ford Mustang, a Ford Escort Cosworth, a Masarati 3.5 GT and a Lotus Esprit to land the flagship Pride of Ownership award.

“I’m absolutely delighted to win the nation’s top classic car prize at the biggest show,” said Rob after winning a public vote to scoop the title.

“I’ve had a tough time breaking my neck at work when I fell off a step ladder in May 2016, and then the accident right next to the display stand last year, so to return and win this time is just incredible.”

More than 71,000 people attended the three-day event from November 9 to 11, with a record 3,000 cars making it the biggest gathering of Classic Car Clubs ever seen. 

And dad-of-two Rob, who spent six years restoring the car after buying it in 1990, said: “I’ve got a real passion for classic cars, ever since I bought my first Cortina in 1981.

“I won the British Classic Car award beating a £3.5m Ferrari 250 Europa in 2009, but this is the biggest of the lot. I’m stoked, especially when you consider how many car owners apply to be in the contest, which was whittled down to the 20 cars displayed at the NEC final.

“Having made the display stage last year, only for it to shunt into a vintage racing car before the judging, the organisers kindly invited me back this time, because you are not supposed to enter again for five years,” added the carpenter and glass technician.

“I thought I had a chance, but when I saw the other 19 cars I knew there was going to be a lot of competition, and I thought the Masarati 3.5GT, which was a stunning vehicle, might win.

“Compere Ant Anstead, who presents Discovery TV’s Wheeler Dealers, called out third and second, and when he announced that I’d won, I was just over the moon.”

Announcing the winner in front of a large crowd, Ant said: “The award can only go to one person. Let’s go crazy and raise the roof. I know this guy and he’s a legend and it’s Rob Sargent. His car is absolutely unbelievable.”

It was a completely different feeling to 12 months ago, when Rob’s Cortina rolled straight into the vintage car at the display stand.

“I still showed the Cortina, but it was in a sorry state and I spent hours telling people the story of what had happened just 10 feet away. The boot and trims were stoved in and the number plate smashed, which was heartbreaking, as I’d just recovered frrom breaking my neck, and it cost £10,000 and took four months to repair.

“I’ve owned it for 28 years and drove it all the way to Italy in 2012 for the 2,500-mile round trip Cortinas to Cortina 50th anniversary and didn’t even have a stone chip.

“To have it badly damaged at the biggest classic car show in the world was devestating, but winning it this time really makes up for that.”

Rob, whose CAN 187H-plated car was front page in last week’s Classic Car newspaper, will be making a return to the show next year with his motor taking pride of place at the entrance.

To read more about Rob and his car, which was built and created by race legend and Ford race team manager Jeff Uren, see www.urensavagev6cortinamk2.co.uk or visit the event’s Lancaster Insurance NEC Facebook page.