Highlights

• Bryan Wingfields own personal car and "official tow car" of DRL engineering for many years
• Significant piece of Ford Motor Company history as one of two factory pre-production Galaxy prototypes
• Powered by an Audi 2.8-litre V6 petrol engine
• The actual winner and cover star of Caravan Monthly’s ‘Tow car of the year’ in 1996
• Acquired from Ford by Bryan while working in their design and development department 

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• One of two prototypes built by Ford
• Ford’s entry into Caravan Monthly’s 1996 ‘Tow car of the year’, which it won and featured on the front cover
• The original bill of sale remains with the car
• Used until 2014, when the Bryan was no longer able to drive
• Now in need of some recommissioning and shall need to be collected on a trailer
• Some older service history is documented in the original service record
• Right-hand drive
• 196,943 miles indicated on the digital odometer
• Part stamped service book
• Any more paperwork that can be found will be added to the photo's below as the auction progresses 
• Currently wears French registration plates and we note UK plates are also present from its earlier history therefore repatriation to the UK shouldn’t be expensive 

The Interior

• Seating for seven
• Remains complete and in reasonably good condition for its age
• There is some wear, mould and general age related deterioration, although much of the original upholstery is eminently salvageable
• Overall, there are few notable marks to the upholstery and little in the way of excessive wear or damage
• The carpeting is a little more tired, although a deep clean should improve it immensely 
• The dashboard presents well, with little heavy wear to the plastics or switches

The Exterior 

• Metallic red paintwork 
• Some of the lower bodywork has previously been resprayed with a rattle can, which is now beginning to fade in places
• Ideally the car would benefit from a full respray
• There are some scrapes to the offside rear, near the wheel arch
• We also noticed a small dent in the tailgate
• Overall, the bodywork is quite straight and free from any notable damage
• Underneath, there is some corrosion to the suspension and steering components, as well as various localised areas on the floor pan, but generally all looks to be in fair order for its age
• Still complete with its original plastic wheel trims
• All the glass continues to present really well
• Factory fitted sunroof does leak so was taped up 
• Equipped with a tow bar and has towed some of the most beautiful and historically important cars around Europe

The Mechanics 

• 2.8-litre petrol V6 from Audi - (although badged as a Ford unit)
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• Besides the engine, several mechanical components reportedly differ from production Galaxys
• Starts readily, seemingly runs well and has been briefly driven to check all still functions
• The alternator and airbag lights are currently illuminated and these faults have not been investigated
• The exhaust is leaking slightly

Summary