A rare version of a vintage vehicle which has been lovingly restored by a Sandbach car fanatic has gone into the spotlight in a national magazine.

The amazing restoration project was spotted by none other than TV celebrity and photographer, Paul Cowland, a presenter on Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars.

Paul came to Sandbach to check the vehicle over and take photographs for a feature and write-up which appears in the August edition of 4 x 4 magazine 

The vehicle is on the front cover of the August edition of 4 x 4

Businessman, Kurt Bradbury, spent over 30 years in motor finance and founded Fast 'n' Funded based at Station House in Elworth to break the mould when it comes to financing specialist cars.

But it wasn't just Kurt's business skills which Paul was impressed with – it was his restoration of a 1993 Land Rover Defender back to mint condition which ticked all the boxes for Paul.

The restoration project is of such a high standard that Paul decided to photograph it for 4 x 4 Magazine which includes a photograph shoot of the vehicle in Sandbach.

Paul Cowland takes photographs of the stunningly restored vehicle

The vehicle features on the front cover of the magazine and where it is described as "An ultra rare Defender 90 rebuilt …"

Paul said: "Cars are very much an emotional thing – where they come from and who has owned them.

"This is unique and has been beautifully restored. Vehicles like this never really go out of fashion. It's a very rare version."

Paul enjoyed his whistle-stop tour to Sandbach to see the vehicle, saying he was impressed by the historic town.

Kurt has spent the last 18 months restoring the vehicle, which he remembers in its former glory and wanted to see it restored.

Kurt with the beloved vehicle fully restored

"Everyone likes to find a project car and this was certainly a project but one I have really enjoyed," says Kurt, whose company finances super cars, classic and historic cars plus a variety of vehicles all over the country and further afield.  

The Land Rover once belonged to Jimmy Hutchin from the Black Bear pub in Sandbach (now DV8) and Kurt pledged to get it restored.

"It's been a great project and one I have enjoyed and it's lovely to see it in the magazine so others can see the work," said Kurt.

The Black Bear (now DV8) in Sandbach where the vehicle was once linked to.