I rescued abandoned 1929 Singer car I learned to drive 65 years ago after it was left to rot – now it's as good as new
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A WOMAN, 81, has been reunited with the car she learnt to drive in six decades after he father saved it from a scrapheap.
Merriel Gallifant's father, Harry Booth, bought the 1929 Singer Junior from a scrapyard in 1961, and the teenager, then 16, used it to learn to drive.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Merriel Gallifant grinning with her first love in 2025
Credit: SWNS
5
The 1929 Singer Junior kept popping up throughout her life
Credit: SWNS
Quickly becoming a grease monkey, she fondly remembers practising gearstick changes in front of her father's Old Cottage Paint shop in Stanway, Essex.
Sadly, just a year later, her Dad flogged her beloved wheels to David and Sylvia Rouse for a fiver.
Astonishingly, Merriel was reunited with her old flame at a classic car rally thirty years later.
The Rouse's were displaying the well-loved wheels at a car rally when Merriel spotted the old banger.
She exclaimed, 'That's my Car!' and showed the couple a snap of her teenage self sitting on the bonnet back in the day.
Mr Rouse was very attached to the Singer, using it daily, taking it for spins at vintage car club events, competing in hill climbs, driving tests and navigational rallies and tours.
The couple kept their bargain motor for 57 years before David died in 2017.
Mrs Rouse sold their vintage car collection but kept the Singer until Merriel approached her, buying the token from her childhood back in 2019.
Selflessly, Merriel waved goodbye to her four-wheeled first love once again, selling it at auction for £4.1k and donating every penny to St Helena Hospice.
Auctioneer, Lewis Rabett from auctioneers Reeman Dansie, said: 'It's a beautiful little car with a heart-warming story.
5
The classic car was sold for just a fiver in 1962
Credit: SWNS
5
It's pristine interior could have come out of a time machine- it is almost completely unchanged
Credit: SWNS
5
Merriel at 16 perched a top her first love
Credit: SWNS
'A proper full-circle moment. There's even a photo of Merriel with the car now and back when she was a teenager – not much has changed!'
He added: 'It's a niche buy, but for the right person, this car is an absolute gem. It's been loved and lived in – and it shows.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Late Queen Elizabeth's iconic Range Rover fitted with mascot & enhanced security goes on market for £70,000
The vehicle is described as being in 'exemplary condition throughout' with just 120,000 miles on the clock MONARCH'S MOTOR Late Queen Elizabeth's iconic Range Rover fitted with mascot & enhanced security goes on market for £70,000 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LUXURY Range Rover once driven by the late Queen Elizabeth II is set to go under the hammer – complete with its royal mascot and bespoke security features. The 2006 L322 model was exclusively used by Her Majesty between 2006 and 2008. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Queen Elizabeth's personal 2006 Range Rover Supercharged is up for auction Credit: SWNS 8 The uniquely specified edition was prepared for its regal duties, boasting a host of bespoke features including enhanced internal wiring for security and communications Credit: SWNS 8 The 2016 range rover is in incredible condition, sparingly used on Royal duties, covering 2,586 miles in a couple of years of service before being sold in the LR dealer network Credit: mediadrumimages And it's expected to fetch up to £70,000 when it goes on sale at the Silverstone Festival on August 23. The monarch famously took the wheel at events including the 2007 Royal Windsor Horse Show, with the vehicle specially kitted out for royal duties. It boasts enhanced internal wiring for security and communications, bespoke side steps, mud flaps, and even a made-to-measure dog guard – a nod to the Queen's lifelong love of dogs. Rear grab handles, since removed but with traces still visible, were once fitted to help her Majesty in and out. Perhaps its most charming feature is the silver labrador mascot, an emblem reserved only for the Queen's personal fleet. Adding to its rarity, the car is believed to be the only L322 Range Rover owned by the Royal Household fitted with the Jaguar-derived 4.2-litre Supercharged V8 – delivering performance as commanding as it was dignified. With just under 120,000 miles on the clock, the vehicle is described as being in 'exemplary condition throughout.' Rob Hubbard, Managing Director and Principal Auctioneer of Iconic Auctioneers, said: 'Vehicles with such distinguished provenance rarely enter the market, making this an exceptional opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike. 'Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's personal Range Rover combines automotive excellence with an unmatched historical significance. 'We anticipate considerable interest in this vehicle as has been the case with other Royal vehicles we have offered.' George Foreman's 1995 yellow convertible Mustang is on sale for under $15,000 - and it only has 728 miles The regal ride is tipped to achieve between £50,000 and £70,000 when bidding opens – giving one lucky buyer the chance to own a piece of motoring royalty. But the Queen's former Range Rover isn't the only eye-catching lot hitting the block this summer. A 111-year-old Ford Model T with serious screen credentials was also up for grabs earlier in July – for a fraction of the price. The vintage motor, built in 1914 just months before World War One broke out, has appeared in Downton Abbey, Peaky Blinders and Mr Selfridge, as well as the blockbuster films Lady Chatterley's Lover and 1917. Shipped to the UK in the early 80s and later snapped up from a Ford showroom, the car boasts a 2890cc side-valve four-cylinder engine and can reach speeds of up to 45mph. 8 The vehicle was exclusively used by Her Majesty between 2006 and 2008, including at events such as 2007's Royal Windsor Horse Show Credit: SWNS 8 It also retains its silver labrador mascot that only adorned Her Majesty's personal vehicles, representing her love for dogs Credit: SWNS 8 The late Queen pictured in her Range Rover at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 14, 2005 Credit: Getty With over 15 million Model Ts built between 1908 and 1927, Henry Ford's creation once dominated roads worldwide. By the 1920s, more than half of the world's cars were Fords – and they cost as little as $260 new. The classic, which comes with a guide price of £15,000 to £20,000, went under the hammer at Historics in Buckinghamshire on July 19. For those on a tighter budget, The Sun has recently revealed the top 10 classic cars to buy for under £3,000. Meanwhile, classic car enthusiasts can also check out Top Gear's list of budget-friendly motors currently on the market. We've highlighted ten much-loved family cars from the 70s through the 90s that continue to hold strong value in 2025. Among them is the Ford Escort Mk2, now fetching thousands, with its Fast Ford racing and performance editions still turning heads today. 8 The vehicle is believed to be the only one fitted with a 4.2-litre Supercharged V8 engine Credit: SWNS
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I could get £10,000 back due to car finance scandal despite judges landmark ruling – but I'm devastated for others
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PIZZA delivery worker Roy Turner could be set to get £10,000 back in car finance compensation despite a landmark Supreme Court ruling in favour of banks. Roy, 57, from Tayport, bought a BMW 118D in 2016 to help his disabled wife, Elaine, with her mobility issues. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Roy Turner bought a car in 2016 to help his wife Elaine with her mobility issues Credit: Supplied He is one of millions who could still be due back cash as part of the car finance scandal as banks will still be liable to pay out claims for those hit with excessive interest, which dealers earned commission from. The UK's highest court was considering an appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling made in October last year, which were about three different claims from people who had each bought a car on credit. In each case, the car dealer made a profit on the sale of the car but also made commission for introducing the business to them - which the three people claimed they did not know about. These were known as "commission disclosure complaints" and could apply up to 99% of car finance loans. The Court of Appeal ruled in October that the firms broke the law by not telling borrowers about 'secret' commission payments. Two lenders, FirstRand Bank and Close Brothers, challenged the ruling in April, calling it a "egregious error". Today, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling in two of the cases but it does not entirely close down the path for compensation for drivers. Firstly, it upheld the judgement in the case of Mr Johnson, who was an extreme example of where excessive interest had been charged. But the UK's highest court ruled that banks are not liable for so-called secret commission payments. However, they will still be liable for discretionary commission arrangements, which applied to 40% of car finance deals. The city watchdog - The Financial Conduct Authority - has been considering a financial redress scheme for drivers over PCP and hire purchase agreements from before 2021. It is where brokers and dealers could increase the amount of interest they charge without telling them. If they did, they got increased commission. The Supreme Court ruling had put these claims on hold - but now the FCA is set to reveal within six weeks whether it will launch an industry wide compensation scheme. It is deciding whether this scheme will involve automatic compensation refunds or whether drivers will have to "opt-in". It is also looking at the interest rates for compensation payments. Payouts could have been as high as £44billion for the scandal in total if the Court of Appeal decision had been upheld, but now they are now expected to be around £20billion. This will be a big win for the banks and disappointing for affected drivers - but you could still get cash. Roy had a discretionary commission arrangement for his car, so could still get a payout. Commenting on the ruling, he said: "These companies have been robbing the poor to benefit the rich. I'm devastated for others." Roy bought his car for £8,650, but the cost of the credit was an eye-watering £9,356, bringing his total bill to £17,996. He said the car dealer, John Clark Aberdeen, did not do an affordability check to see if he could afford the monthly repayments, even though he had a bad credit rating. The monthly repayments were £157 a month, and he was charged an interest rate of 39.1% APR. The term of the loan was five years. Roy said that he cannot remember having a conversation about any commission he would have to pay for. 'It's been stressful - it was hard to afford the car loan,' he said. 'I was struggling to afford phone bills. If the car needed repair work or an MOT, I would need to borrow money from friends. It was very embarrassing. 'I wish I never took it out because of the interest rate.' Roy decided to ring legal firm Courmac Legal after watching an advert on television about the mis-selling scandal. The firm has put in a claim on his behalf, and says that while his lender, Advantage Finance, has not disclosed the level of commission charged, his claim could be worth as much as £10,000. 'I feel disgusted,' Roy said. 'I was completely misled by the dealer and lender when I took out a loan to buy my car. 'The financial impact on my family of the hidden commission was considerable and I've been fighting to get the compensation I'm owed. 'I felt like a fool for paying all that money for a car.' Roy's local MP, Wendy Chamberlain, said she was 'shocked' to hear about Roy's case. She said: 'Loans must be transparent practices, not riddled with hidden commissions for those who sell them at the expense of honest people's hard-earned money.' Advantage Finance and John Clark Aberdeen were contacted for comment. Who can claim? That has not been confirmed but anyone who had a car, van or motorbike on PCP or hire purchases before January 28 2021 could be due back £1,000s. More than 23million people believe they could be in line for compensation, polling by consumer law firm Slater and Gordon suggests. Consumer groups have estimated that motorists took out more than 30million car loans over those years. The FCA will decide who and how this will work within six weeks of today's judgement. It has said it may even do it without the need for people to reclaim, with firms ordered to make automatic refunds. It is likely that you won't be able to complain about agreements taken out before April 6 2007, as this is when the Financial Ombudsman took over motor finance complaints, but the exact rules are still being worked out. DCAs were banned after January 2021, so anyone who took out an agreement after this time wouldn't be able to claim. How to claim While we wait for the FCA to reveal it's plans you can still lodge a claim. If you think you should be compensated, consumer finance website has a free email template to help you complain to your finance provider. You can also complain directly to your provider without using the template. Anyone who took out car finance and could be eligible should file a claim, even if their previous one was denied. In your complaint, ask whether you were overcharged due to your broker receiving a commission and ask the company to rectify this if it happened. If you are not happy with the company's response then you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free. You have until July 29, 2026, or up to 15 months from the date of the company's final response letter to do so, whichever is longer.
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
M5 closed in both directions after horror crash with FIVE miles of traffic and hour-long delays
The motorway was closed after a lorry smashed into the central reservation TRAVEL CHAOS M5 closed in both directions after horror crash with FIVE miles of traffic and hour-long delays Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE M5 has ground to a halt in both directions following a horror smash. Lane three of the major motorway remains closed on both sides near Exeter Airport as drivers face five miles of traffic and hour-long delays. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Drivers are facing hour-long delays on the major motorway Credit: x/@HighwaysSWEST National Highways confirmed a collision had caused a "significant damage" to a barrier on the popular road. A lorry struck the central reservation, crossing over the road between Junction 28 and 29 at around midday. Motorists have been stuck for hours as the clean up operation continues on the motorway. The HGV has since been recovered, but cops are still dealing with damage to the barrier. Drivers have been warned to expect delays of up to 60 minutes northbound and 30 minutes heading south. Writing on X, National Highways said: "Lane 3 is closed in both directions on the M5 between J29 (Exeter) & J28 (Tiverton Dulford) due to a collision involving a lorry which has struck the central reservation. "There are long delays on approach to the lane closure in both directions. "Delays in excess of 60 minutes northbound and 30 minutes southbound (above usual journey times). "A lorry has crossed over resulting in significant damage. Traffic Officers & emergency services on scene. "Delays in excess of 30 minutes in both directions, approx. 5.5 miles of congestion." Passengers fumed under the post, telling how they had been held in stationary traffic for 30 minutes. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
