A 1935 Bentley stored in an old cart shed for the past 68 years has been unearthed.

The Bentley, which rolled off the Derby production line in 1935, was bought by wealthy Australian tea merchant Philip Bushell and dispatched to Thrupp and Maberly coach builders, where a drop head coupe body was fitted.

The car was sent over to Australia before returning to these shores, ending up being for sale in a Shaftesbury garage in 1954.

A 73-year-old local farmer fell in love with it and bought it for £1,050 as a farm vehicle. He disliked the yellow paintwork and had the car repainted in black, costing another £500.

Moving forward to 1968 and the Bentley failed its MOT on its kingpins, so it was pushed in to the farm cart shed.

It was brought out again in about 1971 by the current owner, the farmers’ grandson, when some repairs were made but only for it to again be pushed back in the shed, where it remained until this year, with the exception of the Bentley winged B radiator cap which was taken into the farmhouse for safe keeping.

With the farmer's grandson, and now his own son, realising they will never get around to restoring this beautiful Bentley, they contacted Richard Bromell at Charterhouse in Sherborne to value the car which has been in their family for 68 years.

Now requiring full restoration, this rare 1935 Derby Bentley, with just a handful of owners, is estimated at £50,000-70,000 in the Charterhouse auction of classic and vintage cars being held at the Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, on Wednesday, October 12.

Mr Bromell said: "Growing up as a child, I thought every farm had old buildings hiding away classic and vintage cars.

“Although I have seen and sold many barn finds at Charterhouse over the decades, this one certainly trumps all other previous discoveries.”

Charterhouse are accepting further entries for this auction, the September 29 auction of automobilia and memorabilia and the October 5 classic and vintage motorcycle auction also at Haynes.

Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse can be contacted for valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 or via info@charterhouse-auction.com