A group of lucky Ford lovers have taken a unique trip down automobile memory lane.

Cortinas, Mustangs, GTs and Model-Ts were all on view at Dagenham’s Ford Heritage Centre during an exclusive open day on Sunday.

Usually closed to the public, 20 competition winners from across the country won the chance to get up close and personal with some of the most iconic cars of the 20th century – and the only brand-new GT in the UK.

The event was organised by car magazine Motoring Research in partnership with the heritage centre.

Managing editor Tim Pitt, 37, was delighted to see so many smiling faces.

“It’s normally off-limits so it was very nice of Ford to offer this,” he said.

“Everyone had a really good time and it was really nice to offer this to genuine Ford enthusiasts.”