A car restorer working on a 70-year-old “barn find” is hoping Ely Standard readers can help him resolve a tricky, and unusual, issue related to the number plate.  

Bob Hale, 76, bought the virtually derelict 1953 Rover P4 last summer and has spent the last six months getting it back up and running.  

The car had been stored in a barn on a farm in Queen Adelaide, near Littleport, and had not been driven in decades.  

Even though the vehicle now has a MoT, Bob says he is unable register it with the original number plate DEB 261 because the vehicle’s DVLA records are no longer available.  

Ely Standard: Bob Hale, who is restoring the Rover P4, is asking for help to prove the vehicle's number plate is the original.Bob Hale, who is restoring the Rover P4, is asking for help to prove the vehicle's number plate is the original. (Image: Supplied by Bob Hale)

He said: “DVLA Swansea have lost the records and will not let me retain the original registration unless I can prove the number plate belongs to the car.  

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the log book or any previous tax discs. I’ve approached the previous owner, and he doesn’t know where the paperwork was kept.  

“This car is a piece of history, and I believe she deserves to keep the number plate she has had from the beginning."

Ely Standard: The 1953 Rover P4 had been stored unused in a barn in Queen Adelaide, near Littleport, for decades.The 1953 Rover P4 had been stored unused in a barn in Queen Adelaide, near Littleport, for decades. (Image: Supplied by Bob Hale)

He added: “I have some of her background and wondered if any Ely Standard readers recognise her? 

“All is the car documents, any old receipts or an old photograph that proves this has always been her number plate.”  

Ely Standard: The Rover P4 was originally purchased from T.H. Nice of Ely in 1953.The Rover P4 was originally purchased from T.H. Nice of Ely in 1953. (Image: Supplied by Bob Hale)

Bob, of Euston, near Thetford, knows the late Mr Ben Lee purchased the car new from T.H. Nice of Ely, in 1953.  

He also knows it has only ever had one owner and that it was used as a wedding car by one of the Lee’s family members, possibly a cousin. 

“Someone may have an old wedding photograph tucked in a family album somewhere,” Bob added.  

  • If you can help, call Bob on 07747 102305 or email bmbowregard@gmail.com. He is also documenting the restoration on his YouTube channel ‘bjhale’.