Full Car
Restoration
Complete ground-up restorations for classic and modern vehicles from my workshop near Milton Keynes. Whether it's a bare shell rebuild or bringing a neglected classic back to life, I do everything in-house — welding, bodywork, paint, and final assembly.
Taking Cars Apart & Building Them Back Better
A full restoration is exactly what it sounds like — stripping a car down to a bare shell and rebuilding it from the ground up. It's the most involved thing I do, and honestly it's the work I enjoy the most. Every panel comes off, every piece of trim gets catalogued, and the shell goes onto a rotisserie or stands so I can get at every inch of it. That's when you find out what you're really dealing with — the rust that's been hiding under the underseal, the bodge repairs from 30 years ago, the bits that need cutting out and replacing properly.
I handle everything here at my workshop in Wicken. The structural welding and fabrication, the bodywork, the paintwork in my spray booth, and the reassembly. Having it all under one roof means I can control the quality at every stage. There's no farming bits out to other shops and hoping it comes back right. If you want to see what that looks like in practice, have a look at the 1986 Ford Capri Brooklands I restored — that car needed new sills, new floors, a new boot floor, and a new scuttle panel before it even saw a tin of primer. By the time it rolled out, it had a full VW blue metallic respray with added flake and looked better than it did when it left the factory.
"There's no shortcut to a proper restoration. You either do it right or you don't do it at all. I've seen too many cars ruined by people trying to save a few quid on the metalwork."
I work on all sorts — classic Fords, American trucks, British classics, Japanese imports, whatever rolls through the door. The 1951 Chevrolet 3100 was a different beast altogether, but the approach is the same: strip it, fix the metal, prep it properly, paint it, and put it all back together with care. People bring their cars to me from across Buckinghamshire and beyond — from Buckingham and Towcester to Northampton and further afield — because they know I'll be straight with them about what needs doing and what it'll cost. No nasty surprises halfway through the job.
I won't pretend restorations are cheap or quick. They take time, and they cost what they cost. But when you get your car back and it's solid, straight, and finished to a standard you can be proud of — that's worth every penny. If you're thinking about restoring a car, drop me a message and I'll give you an honest idea of what's involved.
From Bare Shell to Finished Car
What to Expect
Initial Assessment
I'll go over the car with you, talk about what you're after, and give you an honest idea of scope and cost. Some cars are worth a full nut-and-bolt rebuild, others might need a more targeted approach. I'll tell you straight either way.
Strip Down & Discovery
Everything comes off — trim, glass, engine, running gear, wiring. Once the shell is bare, I can see the full picture. This is where the hidden rust and old repairs show themselves. I'll update you on anything unexpected before cracking on.
Metalwork & Welding
All the rot gets cut out and replaced with fresh steel. Sills, floors, arches, chassis rails — whatever it needs. Every repair gets weld-through primer on the mating surfaces and seam sealer on the joints. This is the foundation everything else sits on.
Bodywork & Paint
Once the metalwork is solid, the bodywork gets prepped — blocking, filling where needed, and multiple rounds of primer. Then into the booth for paint. Whether it's a period-correct colour or something custom, it gets the full treatment.
Reassembly & Handover
Everything goes back together — trim, glass, engine, interior, electrics. I test everything, sort any snags, and make sure it's right before you see it. You'll get a full walkthrough of the work when you collect it from my workshop near Milton Keynes.
Ready to Start
Your Restoration?
Send me a few photos on WhatsApp and I'll give you an honest assessment of what's involved. No pressure, no hard sell — just straight advice from someone who's been restoring cars for over 20 years.