FOR decades the rusted shell of this vintage Ford Cortina had been gathering dust in a garage.

Cue mechanics from North Oxford BMW and MINI, who revived the cherry-red machine to raise money for Sobell House Hospice.

Having bought the neglected 1980s car at auction, the team volunteered their time to restore its ‘stunning’ charm.

It has now been sold to raise £3,000 for Sobell, as part of the branch’s ongoing fundraising to support the Headington hospice.

William Le Fevre, managing director of North Oxford BMW and MINI in Long Hanborough, said: “It is absolutely stunning.

“The team volunteered hours of their time at our state-of-the-art body shop in Long Hanborough.

“We brought the car back to life and in three months we completely transformed it.”

He bagged the car with the highest bid last year, after it had been sat in a garage since 1997.

Mr Le Fevre said: “The car was stripped right back to a shell, new wings fitted and it was re-painted to the spec of a brand-new car.

“We loved this project and are delighted that we’ve been able to use the opportunity to raise much-needed funds for our local hospice care provider.”

North Oxford BMW and MINI has been supporting Sobell House for the past year, and is planning more fundraisers for 2018.

In October a team of 13 runners from the branch braved the Virgin Sport Oxford Half Marathon, joining a record-breaking number of participants who took part in Sobell’s honour.

The team has also staged several bake sales and sponsored sports events, raising more than £2,000 collectively.

Its support will help the hospice, based at the Churchill Hospital site, to fund a major extension.

The new building has been designed to meet the increasing needs of Oxfordshire’s ageing population.

Tim Wraith, corporate partnerships manager at Sobell House Hospice, said: “We have loved seeing this project come to life.

“It is so great to see a fundraising initiative involve such great camaraderie amongst a team.”

He said the hospice needs £1.6m each year to fund its services, which relies on community fundraising, its network of charity shops and corporate support.

Mr Wraith thanked the hospice’s supporters, adding: “We couldn't offer the end of life care that we do to around 3,000 people in Oxfordshire, at home, in the day centre and on our wards, without this support.

“We are enormously grateful to the team at North Oxford BMW and MINI and all of our fundraisers across the county.”