Having started it’s restoration journey elsewhere, then later sold to its current owner in a ‘partially’ stripped state, we have been tasked with carrying out any metalwork requirements, trial fitting, chroming and preparing and painting the shell.
Aston Martin DB4 Restoration
Aston Martin DB5 Restoration
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Restoration
Aston Martin DBS V8 Restoration
1971 Aston Martin DBS V8 Restoration
Alfa Romeo 1900 Restoration
Mercedes 190 SL Restoration
Audi RS4 Refurbishment
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)
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.
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.”
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Etiam Ultricies
£85.00
1963 Aston Martin DB5 Restoration
“A Unique and Important Aston Martin Back on the Road after 51 Years”
The original and last known tax disc is still with the car and expired in September 1968. The speedometer shows 33,853 miles.
Prestige were tasked with stripping the car to bare metal and carrying out some metalwork before Sports Classics London (https://sportsclassicslondon.com/) put the car up for sale.
Ready to be stripped to bare metal. Aston Martin DB5 5515 PP.
Upon commencement of the restoration we were amazed to find that every panel on the car was original.
The only sign of a previous minor repair was to the offside rear wing. Great effort was made to replace as little new aluminium as possible to the area to retain its originality. Even the original door skins remain over new frames. The front bonnet and boot lid still have the chassis number written on them this car is an unprecedented find.
In the Prestige metalwork shop.
Upon completion of metalwork the car went off for paint to be finished in Silver Birch.
Photographs Courtesy of Sports Classics London Ltd.
June 2019, BMW Isetta
1955 BMW Isetta treated to a set of hand made quarter bumpers at Prestige Restoration…
June 2019:
We had a call from a loyal client saying he was having difficulty sourcing some aluminium quarter bumpers for his beautiful little ‘microcar’ and of course we were happy to help!
We began by reinforcing the fiberglass moulds that were supplied to allow us to hammer some shape into them using 2mm Aluminium.
Basic shape achieved using hammer and sandbag.
Once created using a single sheet they can be polished!
Polishing aluminium to achieve that shiny effect was done using various grades of production paper.
We have polished bumpers in the past so that they’re almost a chrome effect but this time we were cautious that they matched the bumpers on the rear.
Below you can see the finished result, fitted and it wasn’t long before our customer was back on the road.
Interested in having some work carried out on your classic vehicle?
We carry out any task, big or small as you can see with the upmost care and distinction.
For more information, questions or to book just complete the form below.