Classic car fan Martin Smith couldn't believe his eyes.

Reunited - the Smiths with their Ford Escort

There, on the vast computer auction site eBay, was the first new car his father owned more than 30 years before. And now, after successfully bidding to buy the 1972 Escort 1300 Sport, all three have been reunited.

Martin, of Rochford Way, Frinton, who is a trained motor mechanic but works as a postman, said: "I was looking at cars on the classic cars site on eBay. I knew dad had had one and I asked him what his registration was. I just had that feeling and it was the same."

As it happened, the car wasn't too far away, in Marks Tey.

"We went to see it and bought it," said Martin, 21. "I could not believe it I was really shocked."

His father, Paul, 56, also of Rochford Way, Frinton, said: "I could not believe it was still going."

Published Thursday, September 9, 2004

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