A rare Second World War car, believed to have been used by Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain in their times as Prime Minister, has been sold by a Beccles collector.
The 1939 grey Humber was bought by 71-year-old Terry Boast about three years ago and is in immaculate condition, having been restored by a film company.
Mr Boast is particularly delighted that the car has been bought by Colin Brooks-Williams, a man who resembles famous soldier Field Marshal Montgomery.
The Humber Super Snipe with a top-loading boot is an extremely rare model and was made in 1938, but registered in 1939. It has been carefully looked after by Mr Boast and his partner Sila at Boasts Industrial Estate in Worlingham, making the odd trip out to hangar dances and classic car shows.
However, now in his 70s and with a number of other classic cars in his collection, Mr Boast felt it was time to find the historic vehicle a new home.
He said: 'It was believed to be a government pool car during the Second World War and Churchill and Chamberlain are thought to have ridden in it, although there are not any photos to prove it – probably for security reasons.
'It would have probably been seconded from a lord or somebody with money during the war.
'I have resisted sales from Germany in the past because I feel very strongly that it is a part of our history and should stay in this country. I want to save it for the nation.
'So when I was contacted by the Field Marshal Montgomery look-alike I knew it would be a good place for it to go.'
Bernard Montgomery, nicknamed Monty, was the most well-known British general of the Second World War, famous for his victory at the Battle of El Alamein in November 1942. He was promoted from General to Field Marshall in September 1944, and died at his home in Alton, aged 88, in 1976.
Colin Brooks-Williams has been working as a Monty look-alike and impersonator for the past five years.
After visiting a number of military shows in his Second World War jeep, he decided he needed a uniform to wear and was told he looked like the famous British commander.
He said: 'I looked him up in greater detail and realised I did look like him.
'I invested in a few bits of uniform and went to some shows and it went down really well.
'When I saw the car for sale I knew I had to have it because Monty had a Humber but a military version with an open top. But this is the closest I am going to get to it.
'It is going to be pampered and taken on a trailer to shows.'
Mr Brooks-Williams travelled on the train from his home in North Wales to collect the car and hired a trailer to take it home.
The 55-year-old is a retired cinema manager, but has taken on the role as a full-time interest.
He said: 'I have been researching Monty every day for the last five years.
'There is so much history about him. He was a very effective soldier and knew the art of soldiery well. He was quite a charismatic chap.'
Mr Boast would not say how much he bought and sold the car for but added: 'I sold it for less than its value because I wanted it to go to someone who would preserve it, show it off and keep it in this country.'
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