TRANSPORT enthusiasts had all but given up tracking down one of the rarest vintage cars ever to be associated with Sheffield – until one turned up on ebay!
Organisers of the Sheffield Festival of Transport were keen to track down a Bean - one of the world's first mass production cars.
Rolling off the production line in 1921, the 11.9-horse-power Bean cost a staggering £400 at the time.
But spiralling
overheads forced the company out of business and few of the motors are thought to be left in the world.
But Andy Cawley, of Longstone Classic Tyres in Doncaster, discovered one on ebay earlier this year and found himself to be the only bidder.
Ownership of the Bean company ended up in the hands of one of its main debtors - steel suppliers Hadfields of Sheffield - and became Hadfield Bean in the late 1926 with all cars named Hadfield Beans.
Kevin Cheetham, city council outdoor events officer for parks and countryside, which co-organises the event, said: "Many people only associate Sheffield car making to the vintage Simplex that is kept at Kelham Island Museum, which we had on a display a couple of years ago.
"But the city actually has far more of a car production history than many people think.
'We are amazed we've managed to secure the appearance'
Kevin Cheetham
"We are amazed we've managed to secure the appearance of this car as there are so few of them and we're very grateful for Andy and his son Dougal for lending it to us."
The person selling the Bean on ebay turned out to be the grandson of Mr Bean himself.
The car joins another coup at the Sheffield Festival of Transport - the original Batmobile from the 1960s TV series. Sheffield Festival of Transport is held in Graves Park on Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm.
It includes classic cars, motorbikes, club displays, vintage buses, craft and auto jumble, kids attractions, Animal Farm and trade stands.
Admission is £2.50 for adults while kids get in for free.
Organisers are on the look out for any rare or interesting vehicles in the region to display at the event. Contact kevin.cheetham@sheffield.gov.uk or call Kevin Cheetham on 0114 273 6433.
Fundraisers will be out in force at Sheffield Festival of Transport collecting cash on behalf of Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Visitors to the event will be asked to make a donation by representatives from local radio station Real Radio and the hospital itself.
During the festival there will be the chance to see vehicles ranging from Ferraris to vintage cars.
