A mystery classic car once destined for duty with the Bermuda Police is a major show-winner in the UK. But no-one knows why the car, the last of a special order from the Governor of the day, never made it to the Island.

The Singer Gazelle, specially ordered in plain black with red leather interior, is owned by retired Scottish businessman Bob Young. And he said he was unaware of the car's history until an elderly man who had worked in Bermuda in the 1960s recognised it as a Police spec vehicle.

Mr. Young said he was on his way to a car show on the Scottish island of Arran when he learned the car's history. He added: “On the boat to Arran, we got talking to a couple sitting next to us. We told them we were going to a car show and the man asked us what kind of car it was.

“When I told the gentleman it was a Gazelle, he said that while he worked for the Bermuda Government in the 1960s, the Governor had ordered 115 special Gazelles for the police.

“When he saw it he recognised it instantly - I checked the car over carefully and found it was numbered 115. I just couldn't believe it and neither could he when I told him.”

But Mr. Young said he had not been able to find out why the gleaming 1964-model car had never made the long trip across the Atlantic to Bermuda with the rest of the order.

He added: “I'm quite glad it didn't - it's a lovely car to drive. It's a wee bit sporty and sits easily at 60 mph, which is an ideal cruising speed for me.”

The gleaming all-black Gazelle, which was normally produced in two-tone paintwork, also came with a non-standard 1.6 litre engine and three-speed automatic gearbox.

Mr. Young bought the car from a classic car lover in King's Lynn, Norfolk, England five years ago - but didn't find out it was a special Bermuda car until a few months ago.

The car was made by Singer Cars, which was part of the Rootes Group, which was bought by US car giants Chrysler in the 1970s, which axed the Singer name.

Now Mr. Young's pristine Gazelle is a multiple show winner - including the first prize at the UK national Rootes Rally in 2002.

Mr. Young also owns two classic Rover cars from the 1960s - but admitted the Gazelle's Bermuda history made it his favourite.

He said: “It's a lovely car - but a bit of a mystery. I'd still like to know why it never went to Bermuda along with the rest of them.”