Bubble...no squeak.

Byline: Ron Livingstone

This wacky little bubble car made a sentimental journey to the Isle of Man factory where it was built - and to the Stockton dealers who first sold it.

The little Peel Trident - one of only a handful built - was sold by Tillston Motorcycles in 1965.

Owner Grant Kearney has lovingly restored it after rescuing it from a rubbish skip in Glasgow about six years ago. He turned detective to track down its history, first highlighted in the Gazette last year.

He has now discovered its original owner is believed to have been a red-haired nurse who may have lived in Roseworth.

Grant said: "After the first article appeared I was contacted by a number of people who suggested I contact Tillston's. They put me in contact with an ex-salesman who remembers selling two of these cars which he had seen at the Motorcycle Show in 1964."

A red one sold quite quickly and a blue one was sold eventually to a young red-haired nurse. "He was then called out a few weeks after to organise its repair after practical jokers had picked it up after a party and dumped it in a flower bed. It was then repaired but never seen or heard of again by the dealers."

Grant's newest quest is to locate the previous owner and any previous tax discs and the crucial original log book.

Grant bought the Peel as a wreck for pounds 150 and has spent pounds 5,500 restoring it.

The car features on a special set of Isle of Man stamps. He said: "It was a nostalgic experience to take the car back."

The car's designer, now in his eighties, is currently working on design submissions for rail transit systems for the Isle of Man TT and for the London Olympics.

The other Peel Trident was registered CPY 27C on Teesside. It was shipped to the United States as a practical joke by an antiques dealer. It has also been restored and is now driven by owner Dick Tuttle.

* If you are the original owner of Grant's car or have any information that could help, ring him on 01796 470440 or 07905 886 417.

Model: Trident

Motor: Two-stroke, 48 cc

Top speed: 40mph flat out, 0-40mph "measured in minutes rather than seconds." A contemporary road test joked that the top speed was "dependent upon the size of the steak that the driver had for dinner."

Fuel consumption: 100mpg. Sales brochures of the period billed it as "cheaper than walking."

Body: Fibreglass

Wheel: 5ins

Years built: 1964-1965

Cylinders: One

Chassis: None

Number produced: 45

Number Surviving: Very few

Horsepower: 6.5

Length: 1.83m (6ft), width 1070 mm (3ft 5ins)

Gearbox: Automatic

Steering: Direct

Brakes: Cable

Weight: 90 kg

Interior: 2 seats

Ignition: Magneto