- Restoration of antique/old locks and keys.
- Comprehensive key cutting service.
- Thousands of car keys to code/copy.
- Welding, brazing, lathework.
- Antique/old door furniture repair, metal polishing.
- Ornate metal work in brass, copper, steel, etc.
- Reconditioned Lucas PLC switches.
- MG 'T', 'NA' Type restoration & servicing.
Vintage Classic and
Antique Car Restoration
To many car lovers, what you might call the "true petrolheads", the
vintage and classic market is the most venerated section of motoring.
Modern day "pimping" of "rides" and the suchlike are mere newcomers to
the motoring world, and throwing another over-large speaker on to a
clapped-out Vauxhall Nova has nothing of the allure of painstakingly
restoring a beautiful old car.
Now, when you think of high class British motoring, two names
undoubtedly jump out. Bentley and Rolls Royce have become synonymous
with poise, elegance and grace in motoring, and this heritage extends
all the way back to their vintage and classic models. <br><br>
Bentley began life in 1919 with their first 3 litre car, and has
continued on through the years, always a marque of excellence and class.
Famous models worthy of mention include the 1962 Bentley S2 Continental,
of which only 125 were ever made, and the Bentley Mark IV. Combining
sheer power with a classy carriage was the leitmotif of the brand, and
carries on today through their ever-more opulent models.
Rolls Royce too have a proud history, growing out from Mr Henry Royce`s
electrical and mechanical business started in 1884, making their first
motor car in 1904. Famous models from this marque include the Phantom V,
just one of the excellent Phantom Range, and the Silver Cloud III, both
of which are very much sought after nowadays. In fact, Rolls Royce
continues to be the class car choice for many, due to the superlative
quality that underlines every model. <br><br>
Of course, as mentioned above, there is a thriving scene and market for
the purchasing and restoration of these giants of the road that extends
to many makes and models, not just the two illustrious ones above. So,
you might be asking "what kind of tips can you give someone looking to
restore a classic car?
Well, first of all, and this is meant in no way to denigrate your
automotive skills, you should probably engage a professional. There are
many garages all over the world that cater for certain types and models
of classic car, and the people there are, more often than not, consumate
professionals.
However, not all of us have the money available to pay for this type of
bespoke expertise and, as might be expected, doing the work oneself is a
certain pleasure you might not want to forfeit. First, before even
breaking out the spanners, you must make a detailed list of what needs
doing, prioritising things and deciding what can stay on the car.
Secondly, you must take into account the finish of the interior, as
leather seats and chrome fittings sometimes come up beautifully with the
smallest of repairs. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, anything
rusted must be fixed and, to state the obvious, anything mechanical that
does not work has to be removed and replaced. The overarching principle
here is to manage your budget, know what you can spend and plan
accordingly.
One thing to mention is that losing and/or locking your keys into a car
is not a merely modern phenomenon. It happened, and still happens now!
Luckily, there are companies that restore locks that become decrepit,
and hold stores for keys should you happen to misplace your set.
Finally, we come to the dreaded phrase
car insurance.
There are many different options available, and often you can find
yourself a great deal because the mileage of a classic car is
considerably less than your day-to-day vehicle. There are also options
to have breakdown and windscreen cover added, and these are often
sensible as you will want to keep your pride and joy in as tip-top
condition as you can.
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