FYI: The puzzling discovery of a buried 1950s Ford Popular 103E in a man’s garden during the COVID-19 lockdown has finally been explained, providing closure to a decades-old mystery.
### Man Discovers Vintage Car Buried in Garden During Lockdown
In an extraordinary find during the COVID-19 lockdown, John Brayshaw from Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, stumbled upon a buried 1950s Ford Popular 103E while renovating his garden. What was initially planned as a simple garden makeover quickly transformed into an archaeological car discovery.
### The Astonishing Find
Imagine starting a garden renovation project only to discover a vintage car buried deep underground. This exact scenario unfolded for Brayshaw, who had decided to use his furloughed time in April 2020 to construct new decking in his backyard. His shovel struck something hard, and to his amazement, it turned out to be a largely intact Ford Popular 103E, a vehicle from the 1950s, buried in his garden.
“It’s not something you find every day – it is literally in the middle of my garden,” Brayshaw told the BBC when the story first broke. “It’s just weird how it’s down there.”
### A Mystery Ready to be Solved
The discovery of a vintage car in such an unusual location left Brayshaw and the public intrigued. Similar situations have occurred before, like the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere buried beneath a courthouse in Oklahoma or the Range Rover unearthed and restored after years underground. However, this find was unique in its context and timing.
### A Proactive Appeal for Information
Perplexed and eager to understand how the car ended up buried in his garden, Brayshaw turned to the public for answers. He reached out for any information pertaining to the history of the vintage Ford Popular 103E.
The appeal paid off. Within a few weeks, a lead came through, providing crucial insights into the remarkable story. The car had once belonged to Harold Lyles, a previous resident of Brayshaw’s property.
### The Story Behind the Buried Ford Popular
In 1964, Harold Lyles faced a dilemma. Mechanics had deemed his Ford Popular 103E a total write-off. Rather than paying to have it removed, Lyles made the unconventional decision to bury the vehicle in his garden. The incident was forgotten over the decades, only to come to light again when Brayshaw began his garden renovation during the lockdown.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to have the answers to the mystery,” Brayshaw expressed his relief to the Telegraph and Argus. “I’m over the moon to have the car and put a story to it.”
### Conclusion
This one-of-a-kind discovery during a globally challenging time brought a touch of historical intrigue and human connection. It reminds us of the unexpected stories waiting to be uncovered, sometimes right beneath our feet.
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William Rapp, Editor of Automotive.fyi
