A GRANDFATHER was left speechless when it was revealed his rare classic car had been secretly restored.

Crafty Philip Whitworth secretly contacted the television show Car SOS and producers agreed to give his dad’s “knackered” 1963 Alfa Romeo Spider a major overhaul worth about £40,000.

Philip’s dad Paul bought the car in 1973, but through lack of money and ill health it had sat in a garage and he had never driven it.

It is believed the vehicle is one of just 15 right-hand drive models left the world with just 300 having ever been made.

Car SOS sneakily took the car away in October and spent about four weeks working on it, during which time Philip fabricated a web of lies to prevent his dad popping out to his garage to check on the motor.

A surprise reveal was then arranged to reunite car and unsuspecting owner.

Paul, 67, of Highwoods, Colchester, was taken to Layer Marney Tower on the pretence the family was considering a baptism for one of their grandchildren there.

Building site manager Philip, 35, of Spartan Close, Great Horkesley, said: “The car was sat there and he was absolutely speechless.

“He just stood there with his mouth open.

“He thought we had found another car like his and put his number plates on it to have a joke with him.”

Father-of-three Paul, who is a retired Britvic employee, said: “It was a shock, but fantastic to see. It’s difficult to describe.

“There’s something you have been trying to get done for many years and suddenly it’s there. You don’t know what to do.

“It’s like a dream come true.”

Paul was able to drive the car for the first time.

Philip added: “It looked a right state when they took it away. The engine was knackered.

“It needed a lot of time and money.

It’s absolutely amazing to see now.”

The programme is due to be aired on the National Geographic channel on Sky at 8pm on Thursday.