A MAN who made his fortune as a stonemason in Bermuda has claimed a piece of motoring history – after buying the last ever Alfa Romeo 147 to be sold in Britain.

Terance Behrendt picked up his Alfa 147 Ducati Corse 1.9 JTDM from Knutsford-based dealership Mangoletsi.

The 170bph car, which cost £16,990, is the last new Alfa 147 to be sold in the country, before the model is replaced by the all new Alfa Giulietta.

The car is also the only 147 registered in 2010, so will be the only one in the UK to boast a ‘10’ licence plate.

Terance, 64, said: “I’ve always been a huge Alfa Romeo fan, so to know I have played a small part in its history is fantastic.”

Terance has been living in Bermuda for the past 16 years, but recently returned home to the UK. His new car will be his eighth Alfa Romeo, with Terance’s past cars including an Alfetta, an Alfa Romeo 33 and the original Giulietta.

Terence, from Northern Moor, Manchester, added: “There was no point in owning a sports car on the island. It is only about 20 miles long and you can never get over 20mph.

“By the time you got any speed going you’d reached the other side of the island.

“I needed a new car for when I got home, and decided that I would get a 147 as it would be my final chance to own a new one.

“I called Mangoletsi and asked if they could delay registering the car until 2010 as I wouldn’t be returning home until March. I didn’t realise that I would have the only 147 with a ‘10’ licence plate, but I’m happy I have. It makes it a real collector’s item.”