Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari might be rivals on the track, but they make a great team for supercar specialist Bob Houghton Ltd.

The Cheltenham-based company's last 7.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Atego transporter proved outstandingly reliable when it came to transporting Italian classics, providing 15 years' exceptional service.

So having finally decided to stand down the old transporter, founder's son David Houghton contacted Mercedes-Benz dealer group Rygor Commercials, based at the Railway Triangle in Gloucester, to discuss its replacement.

Bob Houghton's new Atego 823 model's covered single-car transporter body is by Oxford Specialist Coachbuilders, of Chipping Norton. It features sliding doors on both sides. The hydraulically-operated rear closure doubles as a ramp for loading and unloading the exotic and valuable cars which clients entrust to Bob Houghton's expert technicians and restorers.

Mr Houghton was just 14-years-old when he first worked on a Ferrari which belonged to a friend. An avid racing enthusiast, he established the company that bears his name in 1981. Today, while continuing to specialise in classic models, including building engines and preparing race cars, Bob Houghton also maintains and undertakes private sales of supercars on behalf of its clients.

David Houghton, who has assumed responsibility for the day-to-day running of the business, said: "We recognise and appreciate fine machinery, and that's what we see in the Mercedes-Benz Atego. Our former truck provided exceptional service for a decade-and-a-half. It was only towards the very end, as one or two issues started to crop up, that we decided the time had finally come to replace it. Given past experience, we were only ever going to do so with another Atego."

Bob Houghton is using its new truck to undertake many collections and deliveries.

"Many of the cars we carry represent highly valuable investments for their owners, so they don't do many road miles. This means that safety and assured handling are every bit as important as reliability. The truck can only help us to reassure clients that their precious cars will receive the dedicated care and attention they deserve."