I bought Reggie in January 2017, the car had been off the road since the 1980's and partially stripped down with a view to a rebuild. Having got the car home, I stripped down the remainder and of the fittings and took the car to AL Coachworks in Hook. Alan had repaired and repainted my Triumph Vitesse MkII Convertible a couple of years before and he had offered to take on the work. New floor, sills, repairs to the inner wheel arches and boot have been completed so I have a pretty stable tub. Reggie came back home and I removed the body to start the stripping down the chassis. Once everything was stripped, labelled and boxed, the chassis was shot blasted and taken back to Alan for welding. I then got the chassis back, cleaned up and painted it, now I am just starting the suspension rebuild with shot blasted and powder coated components, new bushes etc.

The engine has been checked and turns, good compression and is ready for installing back on the car. I've just got new bearings and seals for rear axle and differential so that is the next thing to check

The car has the original engine and gearbox, hardtop and was originally owned by Eric Brandon (18 July 1920 in East Ham, Essex – 8 August 1982 in Gosport, Hampshire) was a motor racing driver and businessman. He was closely associated with the Cooper Car Company, and was instrumental in the early development of the company.

When he and his boyhood friend John Cooper were released from military service after World War II they built two cars to the new National 500 cc (30.5 cu in) regulations. Brandon, whose family business was electrical goods, had access to BTH magnetos for the JAP engines, which Cooper's father Charlie then acquired. Brandon entered his Cooper in numerous hillclimbs and sprints and in 1947, at Gransden Lodge airfield, he won Britain's first-ever 500 cc circuit race. He also won the first Formula Three title, in 1951.

Later in the 1950s Brandon entered five World Championship Grands Prix in larger, Formula Two Cooper-Bristols, but failed to score any Championship points. For much of his career Brandon raced for the Ecurie Richmond team, which he formed with Alan Brown. In 1955 he funded the construction of his own Halseylec sports car, named after his electrical supplies company. He continued to compete in cars until 1956, but had become increasingly involved in hydroplane racing and by 1957 had devoted himself entirely to this outlet for his competitive spirit