THEY were once considered one of the world's finest motors.

In the 1960s the familiar names of Ferrari, Lotus and Aston Martin used to be the talk of drivers but there was also the Hampshire-built Gordon-Keeble car.

Now some of the factory workers who helped produce them went back to their birthplace, in the grounds of Southampton Airport, to celebrate 50 years since production of the car started in 1964.

Only 99 Gordon-Keebles, were manufactured and 49 of them were on display.

Proud owners of the car travelled from across the country, to take part in a procession of the cars that went to Beaulieu in the New Forest, Southampton Civic Centre, Winchester and Eastleigh High Street.

Daily Echo:

Members of the Gordon-Keeble Owners' Club with some of the cars at Southampton Airport.

Built by Gordon-Keeble Cars Ltd, it had a top speed of 140mph, mainly thanks to its V8 engine, and was hailed by Autocar magazine as the fastest four-seater in the world.

But financial problems and difficulties in obtaining components meant the company lurched from one crisis to another and eventually ceased production in 1966.

Graham Dourse, 74, from Woolston, used to work at the factory as an electrician.

He said: β€œIt has been nice to come back and catch up with old friends I worked with, I am so proud to be here today.”

The event was organised by the Gordon-Keeble Owners' Club.