Frinton-on-Sea UK, August 2011

Lavenham, UK

"I worked with Mr. R. J. Buttfield in East Dulwich from about 1962 to 1968. He owned this car when it was registered MLP 821. The car was still owned by Ronald Buttfield when he died in 1973. He was unmarried. I think it was passed to a relative. I regularly worked on it and drove it. I feel very privileged to have driven this wonderful car.

It was not particularly easy to drive and required techniques unheard of today, especially with gear changing. Stopping from high speed required careful planning! My last drive was at a TEAC (Thames Estuary Auto Club) event in Basildon in the late 1960s or early 70s. Buttfield died in 1973 and I lost touch with the car.

It looks very different in the photos from 2011. I knew it was lowered in its past. The top of the bonnet was very close to the cylinder head then! I would not recognise it apart from your mention of its prior registration number, MLP 821. I’m biased but I think it looked better with the lower and shorter body, but it was, of course, less original.

Buttfield also owned a 1929 Jowett tourer DF 7968 which is still on the road. I learnt to drive on this car. I also lost touch with the Jowett when he died."