Danny Hopkins – Ford Mondeo MkII

Proof that even modern classics can make excellent barn finds – although at 27 years old, this car is only 13 years off being a historic vehicle. 

This is the mid-cycle facelift Mondeo which was launched in October 1996 - known as the Mondeo MkII and it is about as posh as a Mondeo can get despite the mould and leaves! 

Yes, it looks like it belongs in a scrapyard but, hold on, check out that top of the range leather interior, under the dust and grime it’s absolutely mint. That is because this car is an ‘only just run in’ 51000 miles from new rarity.

The engine runs and sounds perfect and the car itself is in decent health apart from rear arches, which are just a welded repair away. Taken off the road with an auto gearbox fault it has lived in a hedge for 10 years which is why it looks the way it does.

As soon as it is back in the PC workshop (it is a Practical Classics magazine car) it will get the hosing down of its life…  and by the time the next Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show comes round again, barring major disasters, it will be on the road once more with Practical Classics editor, Danny Hopkins, sinking into the leather behind the wheel – follow the revival of this legendary motor in the magazine.

It will live again. And if you think that a Mondeo is as common as muck then how about this… our research has shown there are only five MkII 24v Mondeo Ghias registered and this one might well be the only estate left (unless you know different).