Family's joy at return of 1949 Ford Anglia

The vintage Ford Anglia was originally sold by Percy Hendy Ltd in 1949

When it comes to gleaming bodywork, this 75-year-old Ford Anglia is more than a match for the shiny new cars in the Hendy Ford showroom.

The pristine 1949 model was originally sold by the Hampshire-based car dealer Percy Hendy Ltd in Chandler's Ford.

In December, the Hendy family bought it back at auction for just over £4,000 - that almost equates to a pound for every mile on the clock.

"It was a fantastic deal," said Paul Hendy, chief executive of Hendy Group. "To have a vehicle like this come back home is amazing for myself and my family."

Paul Hendy is the chief executive of Hendy Group

The original sales invoice for the 1949 Ford Anglia

From its glinting headlamps to the red Ford badge on its bonnet, the E494A Anglia is in immaculate condition. In 75 years, it has only had three owners.

"It's been garaged, it's done so little mileage and has clearly been a very prized possession for previous owners who really looked after it," said Paul.

The first owner was a Ms Lily Cull from Eastleigh, who paid £319, 16 shillings and eight pence, as revealed in the original sales invoice for the car which still exists.

"You don't normally find a classic car with complete documentation dating back to the sale," said Ben Hendy, a marketing analyst for Hendy Group.

"That includes the original handbook, warranty and a "record of basic petrol ration books issued".

Fuel was still rationed for several years following World War Two.

Hendy Ford's former dealership in Southampton

Why was the Ford Anglia such a popular car?

In 1949, the Ford Anglia was the lowest-priced four-wheeled car in Britain. A total of 108,878 units were produced between 1949 and 1953.

"It was a vehicle that would have been fantastic for family transport, albeit a little bit cosy in terms of size," said Paul.

"But it was incredibly reliable, and I think in those days not long after the war, that was something people were looking for as everybody was starting to get moving around again."

The reacquired Anglia will be on display at Hendy Ford showrooms across the south of England in 2025, reminding people of the firm's rich heritage.

Hendy Ford staff at the former dealership in Southampton in the 1950s

The family business dates back to 1859, when Frederick Hendy began selling clothing for cyclists from his home at Whitchurch in Hampshire.

Moving to Southampton, Hendy started to make and sell bicycles, then moved on to selling the earliest motor cars.

In 1910, Frederick's son Percy Hendy signed a deal with Henry Ford to sell the new Model T Ford, which had recently been launched in America.

Hendy became the first Ford dealer in Britain. Today, Hendy Group has 70 sites across the south coast and an annual turnover of £1.8bn.

"For us as a family, it's an incredibly proud heritage," said Paul, who is the fifth generation of Hendys to head up the business.

Frederick Hendy began selling clothing for cyclists from his home in 1859