A devoted petrolhead who has spent almost a quarter of a century painstakingly rebuilding a land-speed record car is gearing up for his first competitive event.

David Haywood, 66, has dedicated 23 years to transforming the historic Leyland-Thomas machine, which broke 16 world speed records in the 1920s.

The father-of-one, who lives in Ickham, started the ambitious project in 1992 when he acquired the original engine of the car after it failed to sell at auction.

“I got wind that it was something that had been held quite close to Leyland,” he recalls.

“When I phoned about the engine, I was number 26 on the list – everybody wanted it.

“After eventually getting it in a swap deal I made it my life’s work to find the other bits for the car.

“It is a labour of love, but you have to remember that it is supposed to be fun.”

Not knowing its significance when he acquired the 7.3-litre powerplant, Mr Haywood showed it to engineering experts, who identified it as one used by the famed J.G. Parry-Thomas.

Parry-Thomas was the first driver killed in pursuit of the land speed record when he died instantly in a crash in 1927.

After learning about the engine’s history, Mr Haywood then started tracking down original parts – and making replica pieces, including the machine’s body, to fully rebuild the car.

He said: “In 1922, Parry-Thomas broke 16 world speed records, including the standing quarter and the running quarter, the standing half-mile and the running half-mile with this particular engine.

“I am very knowledgeable about the car’s background and where it has gone before.

“I have always been interested in anything mechanical – I have had old cars coming out of my ears since I was 20.”

Mr Haywood, who is now retired and currently fitting new pistons to the Leyland-Thomas, will make his competitive debut at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb this July in Worcestershire.

He said: “I have spent many hundreds of hours on the car.

“It will be its first competitive outing and we are just going to try to prove what it can do.

“The track itself will make it difficult to get into second gear, but the aim is to have fun.”