CAR-LOVERS often don’t know what to do with their retro vehicles - but a Southend councillor has turned his pride and joy into a garden showpiece.

We have been asking you to get involved in our brand-new ‘Me and My Motor’ feature and Councillor Stephen Aylen jumped at the opportunity.

Mr Aylen, who represents the Belfairs Ward on Southend Council, owns an eye-catching 1967 Ford Mustang 390GT.

Many members of the south Essex community are incredibly proud of their retro vehicles, with some owning classics which only come out on sunny weekends and others boasting supercars which are taken out for a spin on track days.

But the days in which Mr Aylen regularly takes his beloved 1967 Ford Mustang 390GT out for a spin are over.

Nevertheless, the eye-catching car from the 1960s has won prizes and drawn attention from countless onlookers around the county.

He said: “You just have to look at it and ask who would not be proud to own this car?

Halstead Gazette:

Proud - Stephen Aylen

“I don’t take the 1967 Ford Mustang 390GT to shows but it has won prizes for its presentation.

“My family are happy I now have a green, environmental vehicle with zero emissions!

“It is an asset to the family and I’m very proud to own such an iconic car.”

Mr Aylen’s first car as a youngster was the Ford Zodiac MK3.

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While Mr Aylen - who is based in Leigh - is overjoyed with his 1967 Ford Mustang 390GT, his dream car was given a comical nickname.

He added: “The car I have always wanted to own is the 1964 Shelby Competition Cobra 427.

“Amazingly, the car’s nickname was the Turd.

“It was a combination of two different engineering and racing styles that thrashed Ferrari.”

It has been suggested the car was referenced as the Turd by the mechanics due to its ugly shape but was publicly called the Flip-Top.

Do you have a motor you are proud to own? Get involved in our new Me and My Motor feature now.