Parts Of A Bygone Era
This contraption we were given seems to be an old fashioned Jaguar air conditioning diagnostics unit. We love discovering bits and bobs that no longer exist – they’re like mechanical time capsules!
Tag Archive: classic car restoration
MGB V8 Carb Strip
Ady has been stripping the carbs down on our MGB V8 so that he can inspect, clean and put them back together.
Bristol In For Service
Our 1973 Bristol 411 Series 3 is in for a service and a dent repair. Mauro has been working on fixing the door which is hard to open. This has meant Mauro has had to adjust the rod and linkage. He is also replacing the window seal. We’ve sent the exhaust manifold off to be refaced to solve the leak.
Next up the Bristol will head to our body shop to have a small dent repaired.
Bristol Arrival
This 1973 Bristol has arrived with us for a service and a tidy up.
Lada Wheel Arch Repair
Our Lada has come back in for some wheel arch repair due to some damage.
Scott has checked over all the brakes and made sure everything was okay. He decided which parts needed to be ordered to correct the damage. Matt has primed and painted the wheel arch to correct the damage.
MG A Happy At Home
After engine rebuild, our MG was taken to the owners boat for a day out with his grandchildren, both had a ride in the MG, all happy.
1976 VW Westfalia T2 Bay Campervan Arrival
This stunning ray of sunshine is our new 1976 VW Westfalia T2 Bay Campervan that just arrived today, in perfect timing for the upcoming stay-cation summer! We’ve got a few bits to do on it to neaten it up but otherwise its almost ready to go! Keep your eyes peeled to see what’s going to happen to this little yellow camper…
Here’s some lovely photos from the previous owner of them enjoying camping in it and even using it as a vehicle for both their son’s weddings.
Triumph Dolomite Issues Addressed
This 1937 Triumph Dolomite is back in for a service, the brakes to be bled and the dynamo changed to an alternator. The work has just begun so stay tuned to follow this Triumphs progress.
Peony Red Jensen’s New Chrome and Dynamometer
Our 1960 Jensen 541S has had new chrome fitted around the door as well as ‘weather strips’. Paul has been working to apply the smaller chrome details.
Paul has also fitted a new dynamometer.
White Etype Rear Axel Building And Lead Hole Detection
Scott has been rebuilding the rear axel for our 1973 White E-type Roadster. Everything has been replaced, refurbished and rebuilt to create a perfectly functioning rear axel.
James has also been doing some lead work on the E-Type as he works on fixing holes left by removing American modifications.
Chris has also rubbed down and primed the bonnet as well as the wheel arch on the bonnet which has been stripped of underseal and cleaned ready for epoxy primer. He’s then applied epoxy primer to bits for the bonnet.
Fiat 500’s Steering Correction
We’re on the home straight with the steering correction on our 1969 Fiat 500 Abarth. The new column is now in with new bearings and strengthening plate. We’ve modified the existing shaft to facilitate a new one. We’ve then patched up the holes. The steering has changed from a box to a rack during this conversion.
Fiat 500’s Recent Modifications
We’ve made some more modifications to our 1969 Fiat 500. The demister diverter heater control for the floor and windscreen has been modified and moved to accommodate the new steering rack.
Amphicar Floor Repaint
We’ve started repainting the floor on our 1965 Amphicar. Chris began by taking out the bolts and masking up the struts that would remain cream.
We’ve applied a black sealant paint on the inside which is the same as the underside. This resin based paint provides better protection against water ingress and allows for easier cleaning.
We are also endeavouring to repair the handbrake after the cable broke.
May 28, 2021 10:04 am
HMC In For Headlight Tweak
With only 183 ever made, this little HMC is both rare and collectable. Finished in a stunning blue, this classic bears a strong resemblance to Austin Healey. HMC (Holmes Motor Company) was founded in 1984 by two brothers, Graham and Peter Holmes who were inspired by the beautiful shapes of Austin Healeys. However, due to a disagreement between the Healey family and Jensen in 1989 over the ownership of the Healey trademark, the name was withdrawn.
This little 1997 HMC MKIV came in for a flying visit to fix its headlights, which are now as dazzling bright as they’re meant to be.
New Paint On The DB9
Craig’s DB9 is currently in the paint shop undergoing some paint corrections after the epoxy primer was applied to treat a small amount of corrosion coming through around the door handles.
We’ve also fitted new door rubber and rear window rubber tightened up the rear centre mounted brake lights that were rattling, refurbish the tyres, re-upholster the seats, repair internal door pulls, remove parrot phone system, test and modify power steering and diagnose the shaking, fit new motors to the wing mirrors, adjust the driver’s window that squeak and scratches, fit new stone guard stickers to the wheel arches, remove both front headlights and strip both doors.
Matt has now moved onto polishing and flattening the paint to give it it’s final finish.
Francis Barnetts PDI
Mauro is carrying out a thorough Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) on our classic bike before it makes its way down to the south coast to winner, Mike Parsons tomorrow. We do thorough PDI’s on all our competition vehicles to make sure they’re running perfectly before they meet their new owners.
DB2/4’s Dissassenbly Continues
Scott has continued the disassembly of our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark I by taking apart the mechanics piece by piece so we can access the engine.
Scott has also been removing some more of the wiring loom and then the the engine.
Final Adjustments On Our Grey Jensen
After the client came to see his two Jensen’s, he’s asked for some small modifications which has included changing the yellow Jensen badge to blue, adding mesh grills into the front side vents and we’ve noticed a few places where we wanted to touch up the paint. This Jensen will be leaving us very soon after its long restoration journey with us.
Riley Completed
Our 1953 Riley RMS has been completed, having had its overdrive removed and it now awaiting collection from the client.
Fiat 500 Parts Finally Arrive
We’ve bene waiting on the parts for our 1969 Fiat 500 Abarth for many months as they were stuck abroad due to a shipping error. Now, finally with us, we can get started with replacing and modifying the steering rack.
Ford Anglia Service
Our 1959 Ford Anglia has been polished and is now being inspected as part of its service. We’re replacing the oil cylinder as we found a leak. We’re also replacing the fuel pump and need to take it for a test drive.
Lydia has also been making a new boot carpet for our Ford. She made the pattern out of paper first and then used it as a guide for the material. She then checked that it fit, trimmed some excess around the sides and will now sew on the binding around the edge.
Triumph Stag On The Home Straight
Our 1973 Triumph Stag is looking worlds away from what it did when it came to us just a few months ago. We’ve sent off the steering rack which is being overhauled due to a leak and the rear brake shoes and brake flexihoses are being replaced. After this it will just need to be started and test driven to see how it runs.
Work Van Needs Some TLC
We’ve had to replace the flywheel, prop shaft and clutch as well as the front lower ball joints as the clutch was slipping. Now with new components, our work van should be good to go again soon.
The new parts came in today, allowing Mauro to get cracking with the replacements.
MGB Tundra In For Service
This classic tundra MGB Roadster is in for a simple check up and service as it has been stored with us since its completion.
DB2/4 Continues Its Dissasembly
Scott has been stripping down our 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 in preparation for bodywork. This has involved taking out chrome, door cards, electrics and mechanics, all the interior and wiring.
Jaguar XK8 Finished
We’ve now finished our 1997 Jaguar XK8 which is now looking as good as new – you’d never be able to tell that we’ve taken apart and rebuilt those rear wheel arches! This Jaguar will now head home with its owner, ready to take on the roads again.
Jaguar’s New Fan And Radiator
Our Jaguar MK1 has had a new fan and radiator fitted as it came in with an old fan that had started to bend and get caught by the radiator. We’ve now replaced both elements so it has a brand new fan and radiator.
Brown Mini Prepped
Our brown 1978 1275 GT Mini is all rubbed down, masked up and ready to paint. The front and sill has been stone-chipped and was then painted.
Austin Healey’s New Radiator
We’ve now fitted a new radiator into our Austin Healey with hopes that this settles the running issues.
Rare Jaguar SSII In For Service
Our stunning 1934 Jaguar SS2 Sports has come in for a service. We are currently carrying out an assessment and will begin to address any issues that arise from the assessment. Up until two years ago, this had been the owner’s everyday car and was driven frequently until he decided to retire it to more infrequent drives.
The SS models are very early Jaguar cars before Jaguar was known as Jaguar. Originally called SS (Swallow Sidecar) , the company decided to change its name to Jaguar after World War II under fears that the SS was too close to the bone. Thus – Jaguar as we know it was born.
This model of early Jaguar is particularly rare due to its age and model so it’s a great honour to work with such an iconic motor.
