A Rickmansworth resident has received an award from a member of the royal family in recognition of his work in restoring his father’s classic car.
Malcolm Stern, who has always had an interest in cars and mechanics, was born in Chingford in March 1929. When he was a child, Malcolm would often take apart toys just to see how all the parts fit together and, during the Second World War, he would help at his father’s garage business near Waterloo station.
When Malcolm was 10 years old, his father bought a K74 Talbot Darracq Coupe, which he owned until he sold it in the early days of the Second World War.
Fast-forward to three years ago, Malcolm, now aged in his late 80s, had become a keen 3D printer user.
He joked: “My wife doesn’t wear diamonds and pearls anymore; she wears plastic!”
He decided to create a 3D model of his father’s old car. During his research, he serendipitously found his father’s car, same number plate and all, up for auction.
He said: “I thought I must buy it.”
He purchased the car, then in a dilapidated state, for £6,900 and has spent the last three-and-a-half years restoring it.
Today the car is a striking yellow as a nod to its original colour.
On Tuesday, September 17, Malcolm was named the winner of the 2024 National Transport Trust President’s Award, which is given to someone who has made a significant contribution to transport heritage preservation.
Malcolm said he did not expect to win the award, which also led to him meeting the Princess Royal.
He said: “She is a lovely person. You can tell she has done this all her life; she was so easy to talk to.”
Malcolm’s message is “never let advancing age deter you from engaging in ambitious new projects”.
Well done Malcolm, the car looks fantastic. If its
the same one, I think I have seen it around Rickmansworth. Keep doing what you do.
That is very impressive!
Regards Helen from Rickmanswoth