One out of three: Brian Love’s beloved 1912 Overland

“It came home in a trailer and it was in bits — it had no body when we got it, so we had to make the body, make the hood, make the petrol tank, the running boards and all of that.”

The crank engine model is only a few years younger than the first ever Ford Model T, and has been completely rebuilt by Brain with the original plans.

“We had the engine, the chassis, and the radiator: I had the plans to work off when the factory built them new for the rest.”

Perhaps unexpectedly for an American car, the 1912 Overland is right-hand drive, which Brian explained was the norm until Henry Ford made the switch in 1913, with all manufacturers except Lacia following suit.

The historic engine in this model is 45 horsepower, and runs smoothly thanks to the meticulous work Brian has put in to the vehicle.

“The crank is original, and it’s the engine it had when it was bought new,” he said.

“It’s 45 horsepower, which is twice the size of a Model T: it’s got lots of grunt, she goes up hills like a modern car.”

Brian’s Overland is one of three left in the world that he is aware of, making his restoration an even more impressive feat.

“I made the seats, but a mate of mine did the upholstery and the overhead hood,” he said.

“All of the internal parts I had to make, like the windscreen, and the mirror is a reproduction, not original — mirrors didn’t come with cars then.

“There are three left in the world that we know of: six or eight tourers, but only three of these that we know of in the world.

“This is the strongest car (Overland) have ever made, they’re usually smaller engines.”