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RESTORATION PROCESS

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STAGE 1: Delivery
We strip a car completely with every single component removed, first taking scores of photographs, drawing enough sketches to fill a small book and recording key measurements to assist with such jobs as re-aligning doors. The shell would then be paint stripped by hand, the underseal removed by mechanical means and/or heat and then shot blasted to remove all traces of rust, underseal and paint.

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STAGE 2: Stripdown
The next step is to apply temporary coat of epoxy etch primer to ensure rust doesn't start again, followed by re-fabrication and repair work including jigging to ensure an untwisted body. After lead loading or filling as appropriate further priming is then required before the car is ready for final surfacing and finishing. We always use 2-pack materials, preferring their durability to the softer and never fully hard cellulose. With a final flatting and polishing it is difficult to tell from original finishes, except in the case of metallic colours, where we see little sense in reproducing the rather poor effects inherent with the early materials. We always completely finish the body shell before assembly starts.

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STAGE 3: Primer
Whilst the body is proceeding we will be working on the mechanical components, with the emphasis on restoration rather than replacement. Techniques involved obviously depend on the particular item in question, and the degree of deterioration that it has suffered. We make use of powder coating, stove enamelling and zinc, nickel and chrome plating. At the moment most engine machining, such as reboring and crank grinding is sub-contacted.

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STAGE 4: Paintwork
Some trim work is sub-contacted but we also have an in-house trimmer. We have an aversion to underfelt and instead use waterproof materials that also have superior sound attenuation. Carpets or rubber mats, cloth, vinyl and hide are then selected, as appropriate. Matching original colours and textures is never easy but we put a big effort into this and can now produce effects largely indistinguishable from original.

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STAGE 5: Refit
It is the final re-assembly that can make or break a restoration. Making doors fit, windows to wind easily and sealing rubbers to perform as intended are, in our experience, the hardest part of any restoration. But perhaps of equal importance is the re-commissioning to make sure all systems operate satisfactorily, and that any teething troubles (and there are sure to be some) are discovered before the customer takes delivery of their car.

It is the final re-assembly that can make or break a restoration. Making doors fit, windows to wind easily and sealing rubbers to perform as intended are, in our experience, the hardest part of any restoration. But perhaps of equal importance is the re-commissioning to make sure all systems operate satisfactorily, and that any teething troubles (and there are sure to be some) are discovered before the customer takes delivery of their car.

RESTORATION PROCESS

Take a closer look at the
remarkable story of this rare and exciting find, and see just what went into bringing it back to its former glory:

» Introduction
» History
» Restoration Process
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» Magazine Feature