A Galgate barber hopes his beloved car will be a cut above the rest when he competes for a prestigious national award this November.

Heath Ellis and his 2005 BMW Z4 Mk1 Roadster have reached the autumn final of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham.

Heath is one of only 20 contestants nationwide in the final, which is a dream come true after suffering from depression.

“This car has helped me enormously through my depression. It’s my escape,” said Heath, 60.

placeholder image — Heath Ellis with his beloved car.

“After eight years of driving it, the car still puts a smile on my face. I get in, go for a drive and it clears my mind.”

However, when the Covid pandemic hit and Headmasters, where he works, had to close, Heath was one of the people who fell through the cracks and received no government support so he put his much-loved car up for sale three times.

“We were absolutely desperate for money for food and to pay the bills but at one point, I was nearly scammed by someone wanting to buy the car so I withdrew it from sale. I would have been heartbroken if I had sold it,” he said.

Heath felt he was guided in the decision to keep his car by the memory of his late father, Michael, originally from the Ukraine, who died when Heath was only 11, 49 years ago.

Heath Ellis's precious car, which he hopes will win big in November.

Heath, who’s originally from south Wales and has been a barber for 24 years, has always had an interest in cars but his Z4 is very different from the first car he bought for £100 in the eighties, a green Vauxhall Viva.

He’s since had several BMWs but bought his Z4 in rare Maldives blue from a Hampshire dealer in 2018, and it has served him well, winning 10 awards already including Best Modern Classic, Best Convertible and the Annual Award at the Great British Motor Show.

Heath, who has a wife and two children, estimates that he spends up to two hours a week making sure that his pride and joy is kept in pristine condition, yet he still suffers from imposter syndrome when entering it for competitions.

He was actually driving his car when he found out that he had been chosen as a finalist in the Pride of Ownership competition and became tearful at the thought of showing it at an event which attracts 70,000 people.

His will be the first ever Z4 Mk1 to be shown as part of the Debutantes theme, which highlights owners with interesting stories and cars not seen in the competition before.

Visitors to the show, which is on from November 13-15, will decide on the ultimate winner who will receive a trophy, a year’s free car insurance and the chance to display their car at the next Lancaster Insurance event.

“It’s been my dream to take part in this contest for many years and getting this opportunity has just blown me away,” Heath said. “I can’t believe that I’m going to the NEC.”