A DARWEN car enthusiast is hoping his lovingly-restored 1930 Chevrolet Sports Roadster will take pole position in a national contest at the weekend.

Visitors to the Classic Motor Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday to Sunday, will get the chance to vote Peter Hampson’s rare vehicle as the winner of the Grand Prix in the hotly-contested ‘Pride and Joy’ category.

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Out of 80 contestants on the starting grid earlier this year, just 20 will line up for the main prize.

Mr Hampson has said he is delighted to be at racing speed in the final lap of the contest.

His Chevrolet is right-hand drive despite not being built as a UK car.

Constructed in Argentina for Uruguay, it was originally supplied with the steering on the right as both countries drove on the left in the 1920s and 1930s.

Mr Hampson said: “As far as I can establish my car came to England in the 1970s and was part of a notable Scottish collection of classic cars owned by William Cunningham.”

Mr Cunningham died in 2013, aged 84, and his collection was sold the following year.

Mr Hampson said:“It was sold with the rest of his collection in 2011 when Mr Cunningham died and I bought it in need of quite a lot of work about three years ago. In the end the car had a complete off-body restoration.

“It’s been fitted with new trim and a new hood, given a bare metal re-spray and all the brightwork has been re-chromed.

“It’s won awards at a number of events and is now in pristine condition.

“As far as I’m aware it’s the only right hand drive 1930 Sports Roadster in the UK and I’m thrilled with it.”

Darwen Town Council Mayor Brian Taylor, who drives a modern Alfa-Romeo Giulietta, said: “Darwen is a historic town full of people like Peter who love heritage.

“I hope he wins and spreads the fame of Darwen a little further in classic car circles.”

Richard Morley, divisional head at Lancaster Insurance, said: “We know how enthusiastic people are about showcasing their classics and Peter’s Chevy is a great addition to the final.”

The winner, voted for by the show’s 70,000 visitors will be announced at 1.30pm on Sunday.