Gardener is left stunned after digging up a 1950s Ford Popular car

Now that’s underground parking! Gardener is left stunned after digging up an ENTIRE 1950s Ford Popular car that had been buried underneath his lawn

  • John Brayshaw discovered what appears to be a Ford Popular in his garden
  • John was stunned by the find at his Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire home
  • The vehicle dates back to the 1950s where it was a common sight on UK roads
  • Appeals are now being made as to any knowledge of how vehicle became buried 

A gardener has made an incredible discovery after finding a car buried in his garden.

John Brayshaw, 40, was passing time in the garden at his home in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire before stumbling across what appeared to be a Ford Popular. 

John, who bought the house six months ago, was digging post panels to start decking his garden when he found the car, which was buried on its side in a 7ft by 10ft hole. 

John Brayshaw was left stunned after uncovering a Ford Popular underneath his garden lawn

John has appealed for any knowledge of how the 1950s car came to be buried

John has appealed for any knowledge of how the 1950s car came to be buried

‘It’s not something you find every day – it is literally in the middle of my garden. It’s just weird how it’s down there.’ he said.

‘I’d love to be able to get the car out, but I don’t think it is possible by hand.’

Mr Brayshaw is now keen for people to get into contact with him on how the 1950’s vehicle bizarrely ended up buried within the lawn in the centre of his garden.

Although the car was broken up, noticeable elements including its number plate were found

Although the car was broken up, noticeable elements including its number plate were found

The steering wheel was still attached to the car thought to have been buried for decades

The steering wheel was still attached to the car thought to have been buried for decades

Close up images of the eroded dashboard show remains of a speedometer and petrol gauge

Close up images of the eroded dashboard show remains of a speedometer and petrol gauge

FORD POPULAR 103E

Engine: 1172 cc straight-4 side-valve

Power: 30 bhp

Transmission: Three-speed manual

Wheelbase: 90 inches (2,286 mm)

Length: 151.5 inches (3,848 mm)

Width: 56.5 inches (1,435 mm)

Height: 64.5 inches (1,638 mm)

Curb weight: 1,624 lb (737 kg)

The grey car although largely broken up does still have its engine and registration plate accompanying it.

Early thoughts are the car is thought to be a military vehicle.

‘I’ve been told that at the end of world war two there was an influx of people that used to work for the Secret Service,’ John added. 

‘I thought it was an old air raid shelter at first, then I saw the roof and I thought ‘who’d bury the roof of a car?’

‘Then I kept digging at saw the door, the steering wheel and realised it was a full car complete with the registration plate.

‘The only thing that was missing was the wheels.’

The Ford Popular was a common vehicle on British roads during the 1950s and early 1960s

The Ford Popular was a common vehicle on British roads during the 1950s and early 1960s

The Ford Popular was built by Ford UK in England between 1953 and 1962 and was often nicknamed a ‘Pop’.

On Britain’s roads they were a common sight and were a slightly cheaper alternative to other Ford cars such as the Anglia and Prefect.

The version thought to be buried in Mr Brayshaw’s garden is the 103E model which was in production from 1953 up until the end of the decade.

For the final three years of the car’s run it was given a dramatic makeover with the 100E series. 

 



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