Mr Wood, of Turners Marsh, bought the vehicle from his uncle and Bodyline series opener Leo O'Brien 15 years ago.

The late O'Brien's five Test career included the second and fifth match of the 1932-33 series.

Mr Wood said O'Brien had the car shipped to Australia unboxed from America in 1960.

"It came out in right hand drive with twin traction [limited-slip differential] and hill holder [keeping the car from rolling down inclines while clutch is depressed]," the retired machinery operator said.

"It has done 90,000 miles [144,840 kilometres] in total.

"It is probably one low-slung American cars styled along European lines - the front grille looks similar to BMW and Benz.

"When I got the car 15 years ago from Leo it was knocked about a bit with small dings on the body and the pressed stainless steel mouldings were badly damaged.

"As the original fins were removed by Leo some years prior because of an accident, I had to purchase some secondhand fins from Queensland to bring it back to the original shape.

"The late Bob Baynes, of Legana, an ex-trade teacher at TAFE, did a bare-metal restoration cutting out small sections of rust and performing magic on the mouldings and hubcaps, hand-beating and polishing in the old traditional method.

"The Studebaker 259 V8 engine was removed to allow painting of the engine bay, but as the engine was in perfect condition it was fitted back as is.

"I'm sad to say I don't drive it enough, maybe once or twice a year.

"I have three daughters and they have all used it as their wedding car as well as some friends and family.

"I couldn't sell it until my last daughter got married which was two years ago, so maybe it's about time to move it on.

"There is a lot of family connections with the car and we have all enjoyed it immensely.

"I've always liked big cars and machinery . . . I've had Fairlanes, Statesmans and now a 300C Chrysler.

"I'm from an era where V8's ruled."