1973 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino Restoration

Arrival

Closer details

1939 Austin 8 Tourer

The Prestige Team have been tasked with carrying out a ‘Sympathetic Restoration’ to this lovely 1939 Austin 8 Tourer.

Having not only survived WWII, it’s also been in the same family for over 80 years, therefore retaining some of its lovely patina and originality is of the utmost importance.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Restoration

1979 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Metal and paintwork restoration carried out in 2018.

1973 Aston Martin AM Vantage Restoration

Looking back on an old restoration, carried out with us in 2015 the car is currently back for servicing and maintenance before it heads off to Europe for the Summer. 

We thought this would be a good opportunity to look back on this project and share some photographs with you. Here are some taken of the car, sat outside Botleys Mansion on a beautiful Summers day in 2016.
(Photo credit to reef-design.co.uk)

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The AM Vantage, released in May 1972 alongside the visually similar V8 and with an engine virtually identical to that of the DB5. 

Production of the car lasted for just over a year with only 70 examples having been built, 68 with right hand drive.

This particular car has triple weber carburettors and was also Victor Gauntlett’ personal car built for him in 1973, hence why this is such a highly specified and special vehicle. 

Carry on reading for a brief summary of this restoration.

Tadek Marek designed 4.0-ltr, 6-cylinder engine.

Visual differences between the AM V8 and DBS can be seen below. With credit to astonmartins.com. (Astonmartins.com)

Once the vehicle was stripped down, we began by removing the front end from the body, there we discovered a previous poor job on the wing. This was corrected and re-welded.

We also fitted new inner wing panels and new outriggers on the O/S and N/S.

Inner and outer sills were fabricated using mild steel and fitted due to corrosion.

Further areas were attended to including the engine bay and wheel arches.

We fabricated two new door skins in aluminum, once the door frames were media blasted we made some necessary repairs and fitted the skin to the frame. The doors subsequently had gapping along with the bonnet and boot lid.

The six-cylinder 4 litre engine and gearbox was cleaned and detailed.

Along with this, the cylinder head, fan motor, starter motor and alternator were overhauled. Plus the radiator and heater matrix.

A complete wiring loom was replaced in the car.

Whilst the vehicle was stripped to bare metal and painted the exterior chrome parts were sent to our trusted partner for high quality re-chroming.

The car was fitted with new headlights, front grille, wire wheels and tyres.

The interior was completely re-trimmed in Connolly magnolia leather with navy blue piping by our coach trimmer Mike.

Seat belts were replaced including new clasps, steering wheel, dash and console also re-trimmed.

Final checks with James before she went home to be enjoyed by her owner.

Thinking of carrying out a similar Aston Martin project, be sure you have found the best company with a commitment to excellence and all of the core values of a family run business.

Some previous Aston Martin projects include Peter Agg’ DB3S, DB2/4, DB4, DB4 GT, DB5, DB6, DB6 Shooting brake, V8 and DBS. We will get round to blogging about these soon but photographs can be seen in our gallery. Click Here

Please get in touch to discuss your requirements over the phone or by using the form below.

1932 Alvis Speed 20 Restoration

The Alvis Speed 20 is a British touring car that was made between late 1931 and 1936 by Alvis Car and Engineering Company in Coventry.

The owner of this lovely car got in touch with us at the end of 2020, hoping that we would be able to help him with some metalwork requirements, and he came to the right place.

Harry and Grant from our coachbuilding team got straight to work fabricating panels using the English Wheel and making repairs where needed.

See below for a small selection of photographs of this fantastic project.

Mercedes 280SL Pagoda

This week brings a 1969 Mercedes 280SL Convertible into the mechanical shop.

Having spent over 2 years in storage we set about getting the car running.
A nasty fuel leak was spotted and the tank was removed and flushed of old fuel before replacement of perished fuel lines.

2.8-litre six-cylinder engine produced 180bhp, 20 horsepower more than the preceding 250SL's

After a full assessment on the ramp we had to deal with some oil and fluid leaks. The engine sump gasket and gearbox sump gasket were replaced and our mechanical technicians carried out a full service.

After road testing and detailing the car was delivered back to its owner ready to be enjoyed this Summer.

Whether it is an annual service, mechanical or bodywork we are here to help you enjoy your car again so please do get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 Restoration

Our latest arrival and straight into the metalwork shop is this 1979 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4.

Inspection on the ramp before panel fabrication begins.

Rust around windscreen aperture / scuttle area being dealt with, including dashtop replacement due to rust and previous poor repairs.

With the new front wing fitted, further fabrication can continue. Work on sills and rear quarter panel.

From the archives,

A 308 GT4 restoration carried out with us in the early 1990’s. This car later went on to win Best in it’s class at the Ferrari Owners Club Concours.

Back to 2021!

New hand fabricated door skin has been fitted to the drivers side, Jack can be seen hammering his welds on the rear quarter.

Some nasty corrosion can be seen here on the rear quarter window area.

Ready to fabricated replacement headlight frames

Wheel arches and front and rear wings getting close to completion.

Amongst friends in the Prestige Restoration workshop, Ferrari 250 GT Lusso also in restoration with us.

“The team at Prestige were great to deal with and made the overall experience seeing the work and progress on my car really enjoyable and informative .
This is the first time I have sent one of my projects away to have so much work carried out and at the start was worried about what could and couldn’t be completed with the oval budget i had knowing how much worked was need to my car, however Katie and the team fully understood what i wanted and had in-depth knowledge on my car so were able to carried out the work around this to ensure i ended up with what i wanted, even accommodating a couple of odd requests from me.
The reason I went to Prestige Restoration was quality of the work and I wasn’t disappointed at all and for sure my car is 100% better for being worked on by the team at Prestige, I would definitely recommend them and will be using again soon. Just as important to me was to make the most of the overall experience as well as the the quality of their work and I loved visiting regularly to see the work on my car, speaking to the team to understanding what work was carried out and what was needed, also learning a few tips along the way.”

— Mr Hitchcock - Owner Ferrari 308 GT4

Do you have a project that you would like to discuss?

Get in touch below.

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Etiam Ultricies

£85.00

Classic Car Servicing in Surrey

As well as full restorations we also carry out general servicing, repairs and scheduled maintenance.

2000 Maserati Quattroporte V8 3.2 Evoluzione ready for its service today at Prestige.

With Summer quickly approaching, now is the time to get your car ready for the road.

Please enquire below for a hassle free quote for any servicing requirements you may have.

Ferrari Servicing in Surrey.
Maserati Servicing in Surrey.
Aston Martin Servicing in Surrey.

Weekly update from Prestige Restoration

From a 1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder in the mechanical shop to a 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL in the metalwork shop it’s been another busy week for the Prestige team.

L-R, Spencer, Jack, Grant and Shane getting their heads in the game on Monday morning.

Where better to start than with this 1971 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder - here for some fine fettling following purchase from our good friend and customer.

When an Intermeccanica Italia Spyder comes to market, aficionados take notice. From 1967 to 1973, fewer than 400 Italia models were built, and only 222 were convertibles, making the Spyder a true rarity.” via Sotheby’s.

Meanwhile in the metalwork shop, Harry continues to make welding look easy.

The Mercedes 190 SL is now stripped down to bare metal. Let the restoration commence!

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Maserati 3200 in the mechanical shop having a new aux and cambelt fitted.

Aston Martin Restoration

Are you interested in the following?

Aston Martin DB2/4

Restoration

Aston Martin DB4

Restoration

Aston Martin GT

Restoration

Aston Martin DB5

Restoration

Aston Martin DB6

Restoration

Aston Martin DB6 Volante

Restoration

Aston Martin DB6 Shooting Brake

Restoration

Aston Martin V8

Restoration

Prestige have just updated their gallery including some images of the above restorations.

Please click here or see below for more.

https://www.prestige-restoration.co.uk/astonmartinrestorations

Ferrari 246 Dino Restoration

Ferrari Dino in the Prestige workshop in 1989.

We have updated our gallery to include more images of the Ferrari Dino restorations we have carried out at Prestige over the last 30 years.

Take a look below or Click Here

https://www.prestige-restoration.co.uk/ferrari-246-dino