The Aurora - possibly the world's ugliest car - was restored from the ground up and is the only known example in existence.

Both cars are on permanent display at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Andy is a devotee of 1950s Americana, but will take inspiration from anywhere. His wild Bentley 'Mentley Insanne' Mulsanne had its roof lowered and a set of 20 inch chrome wheels makes
it every inch the ultimate ride for the self respecting gangsta rapper.

The famously fastidious Rolls Royce & Bentley Owners Club voted it Car of the Month, while Custom Car magazine received complaints when they put it on their cover. Some people, eh?

Andy also appears in the Guinness Book of Records for building the world's lowest car. His Mini estate-based Claustrophobia got Norris McWhirter hot under the collar back in 1985, and no wonder because it measures just 34½ inches from wheels to roof.

Ground Zero

Holding court at The Road Ahead show, Andy was waxing lyrical about one of his proudest achievements, his newly finished Stratos 0.

The wedgetastic Lancia Stratos 0 before us - one that I read about as a child - might never have happened if it was for Andy's unique vision.

Originally designed and built by the famous Italian design house, Bertone in 1970, the 0 is simply breathtaking. But it wasn't until 1985 that it reached a wider audience, when it appeared in Michael Jackson's Moonwalker movie.

Incredibly three identical 0s were made for the film, which was released at the height of Jackson's fame. Andy couldn't believe the producers went to so much effort: "for the few seconds it appeared, they could have used a clay model," he said

Andy watched the film just to see the 0. Suffice to say he was more impressed with the car than Jacko's cinematic efforts.

Andy bought his model after one of the three film cars came up for sale in the US. A friend forwarded the advert and Andy was straight on the phone to the seller, and the car was his. "I simply couldn't miss out", he confesses.

An authentic rebuild was on the agenda, with the ultimate goal of getting it on the road. The first job was to locate a rot-free Fiat X1-9 coupe, due to it having the exact dimensions and a remarkably similar engine to the 0s original motor. This was no mean feat as they suffer badly from the dreaded tin worm.

The 0 was the first car that Andy had to do any serious spannering to. "I'd never done any steering or geometry work before. I prefer the styling element." But you have to hand it to him - it's a superb first effort.

Although the 0's fantasy looks make it appear as though its capable of warp speeds, in reality it would struggle to get to motorways speeds. But Andy isn't fussed: "I get asked if I've got nitrous in the car, but it wouldn't matter if it only went to 30mph. It's immaterial because you can't see where you're going anyway."

Cosmetically, the car looks as it did when it transformed into the then King of Pop in Moonwalker, but with lengthened side windows. Andy's a big bloke and he simply wouldn't have been able to see where he was going. He thinks his only change to Bertone's original masterpiece makes the car look less wedgy.

Photos don't do Andy's work justice, as in the flesh, the quality is astounding - and it should after Andy spent a massive 110 hours a week over two and a half weeks completing the project.

At 1.20am, just two days before the show opened he finished the car. He hands us a photo taken to celebrate completing the car "I was bloody knackered" he said, a fact confirmed by the snap.

And what does the man who's poured his heart and soul into building some of history's most fantastic custom cars drive?

A Fiesta. And not just any Fiesta: the loan car from the garage that he owns with his Dad Ron.

As we're about to go our separate ways, I ask Andy what is the best looking car today. "The Alfa GT", he says almost without hesitation.