A DROITWICH man is in a race against time to get a 1957 MG MCA car ready to take part in the return of the Hill Climb at the Chateau Impney next month.

Chris Bond has been working on the vintage car for many years, carrying out a complete restoration from the ground up, but he’s been inspired by the Chateau Impney’s plans to relaunch the Hill Climb event, and now he’s spending every spare moment working on his project, so it will be ready in time for the event on July 11 and 12.

He said: “While I am working hard to make the meeting it will be touch and go to get it ready in time, but I’m going to do my best to make this prestigious meeting, which is right on my doorstep.”

Chris started off with a rusty shell 25 years ago, and he has been working on the project on and off ever since. He’s modelling the car on race cars of the 1950s and 60s, with no bumpers and racing front valance, so he’s hoping it will look right at home at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb event.

He added: “My original plan was to do a straightforward restoration of the car, but changed my mind some years ago and modified the car to run MGB V8 drivetrain and running gear.

“This has obviously taken much more time, and money, than the original restoration, but will give me a vehicle capable of coping with modern traffic conditions, whilst retaining the classic MGA looks.”