Three Yavneh College boys have spent almost three years restoring a lifeless Land Rover to full working order as part of the Borehamwood school’s “Classic Car Rebuild” project.

Sixth-formers and technology prefects Scott Michaels, Adam Cooklin and Joel Huberman devoted out-of-school time to rebuilding the engine of the 30-year-old Series III Land Rover, which had not been driven for more than six years. They also fitted tyres and repainted the vehicle.

“Classic Car Rebuild” is part of Yavneh’s extracurricular enrichment programme and has involved more than 100 students.

Adam explained that there’s a “school period once a week where year seven to year 13 students take part in enrichment programmes. One programme was this car project”.

Scott, 16, added: “As prefects, we would show a lot of the younger kids how the car works and the repairs we made. They would also take part. It was an amazing project. We’ve learnt so many new skills, from tyre-fitting to teamwork.”

It had been “amazing to see a rusty and muddy car turned into a beast of a machine. It’s great to see something you’ve worked so hard on come to life.”

Joel, 18, had “really got into the project” and his newly-acquired expertise had come in handy when his own car failed its MOT.

“I took it to the school garage and worked on it using the skills I learnt from this project.” Three days later, it passed the MOT.

The Land Rover — bought on eBay for £500 in February 2010 — has now been resold to an unnamed buyer for an undisclosed amount. Sale proceeds will go towards future restorative projects, including a Formula Three car and a boat.

Yavneh head of design and technology Ian Taylor said the vehicle had “more than paid for itself. The students now know how to save a fortune in garage bills. Fixing a car isn’t that complicated.”