Dad challenges son, 12, to build his first car

"I started the car, rolled it out the garage - it was cool, it's the first time I had the engine revving."

Not many 12-year-olds have their own car, but then not many of them have to rebuild it from the ground up.

Ben was only 10 when his dad Gary, from Biddulph, in Staffordshire, came up with an idea to keep him from becoming isolated in his room on digital devices, and engage with the real world.

He challenged him to rebuild a run-down Mini over the next six years, with the aim of finishing it in time for his 16th birthday, so that it can be used to take him to the school prom.

"All the kids these days are computer-based," Gary said. "There's very few kids with practical skill these days."

However, there is has become a growing digital angle to their project, with them also sharing their experience on TikTok and YouTube and reaching hundreds of subscribers.

An electrician by trade, Gary has worked on cars as a hobby since the age of 17, so already had all the tools and skills he needed to equip his son.

Initially, Ben thought it was a joke when his father came to him with the idea.

When the pair spoke about it some more, he realised his dad was serious and that he would learn life skills to prepare him for when he was able to drive.

"If I broke down in this car then I know every nook and cranny," the 12-year-old said.

The pair have worked on the car every Tuesday night for the past two years, which has given Gary plenty of opportunity to pass on his skills and knowledge.

"I've learnt welding, grinding, how to strip my first ever engine, replacing panels and it's thanks to my dad. I'm just lucky," Ben said.

In the process of teaching his son, Gary said he had learned a few things too.

"I've had to learn patience and Ben's had to learn the skills, it's hard to teach a 10-year-old to try and use power tools, but he's done an amazing job and it really brought us together."

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