Midlands car restorers?

[BUG4LIFE]

Hi,

Spotted a couple of recommendation type threads in here, so thought I might start my own, to hopefully help me pick a place to sort my Jag.

My S-Type R has rust on each of the lower sections of the arches. My plan is to get the arches, sills and underside inspected and then hopefully repaired and painted back to her former glory!

I was initially looking at Midlands based bodyshops but then I started to wonder if I should go down the car restorer route, as they may have more experience with rust and more importantly could also refurb the alloys, paint the calipers and fab a customer exhaust at the same time [it’s only money]!!!

So far, I’ve found...

- Greg Howell http://greghowell.co.uk

- Big Bear Kustoms https://www.bigbearkustoms.co.uk

- Classics 1963 https://www.classics1963.co.uk

- DC Classics https://www.dcclassics.co.uk

- CMC https://www.classic-motor-cars.co.uk

- Midlands Performance & Retro https://www.midlandperformance.co.uk

Just realised that’s quite a list! I’ve found these particular companies via general chat on forums and Facebook searches. Just wondering if any of you guys have knowledge/experience with any of them, or can recommend others in the Midlands[ish]?

Cheers

[How u doing]

I haven't, but interested, I've been recommended color coded @ Studley so plan on visiting,

[mbwoy84]

Well, I own one of the companies on your list, have vast experience with rust and many years experience owning Supercharged Jaguars, and would be happy to take a look!

Edited by mbwoy84 on Friday 14th May 12:25

[BUG4LIFE]

How u doing said:

I haven't, but interested, I've been recommended color coded @ Studley so plan on visiting,

Just looked them up, as I happen to work in Redditch [no website though]. Do you happen to know if they are more of a bodyshop or capable of handling more of my little list [alloys, exhaust etc]?

[BUG4LIFE]

mbwoy84 said:

Well, I own one of the companies on your list, have vast experience with rust and many years experience owning Supercharged Jaguars, and would be happy to take a look!

Edited by mbwoy84 on Friday 14th May 12:25

Ah yes, I think that's how I found your company as I spotted a post or two from you on here....I will be in touch asap

[How u doing]

BUG4LIFE said:

How u doing said:

I haven't, but interested, I've been recommended color coded @ Studley so plan on visiting,

Just looked them up, as I happen to work in Redditch [no website though]. Do you happen to know if they are more of a bodyshop or capable of handling more of my little list [alloys, exhaust etc]?

I believe so, they were recommended ended to me by a couple of people. One of which owns a number of classics used for events & film.

I'm looking to get some wheel arches done + some paint on another car.

I've not spoken to them yet, but the premises look tidy and businesses like.

Edited by How u doing on Friday 14th May 14:28

[BUG4LIFE]

How u doing said:

I believe so, they were recommended ended to me by a couple of people. One of which owns a number of classics used for events & film.

I'm looking to get some wheel arches done + some paint on another car.

I've not spoken to them yet, but the premises look tidy and businesses like.

Edited by How u doing on Friday 14th May 14:28

Hey, just wondering if you did contact Colour Coded in the end?

I've was given the details of another body/restoration shop just south of Redditch, called Buddy's Paint Shack. Might be worth looking at too?

[How u doing]

BUG4LIFE said:

How u doing said:

I believe so, they were recommended ended to me by a couple of people. One of which owns a number of classics used for events & film.

I'm looking to get some wheel arches done + some paint on another car.

I've not spoken to them yet, but the premises look tidy and businesses like.

Edited by How u doing on Friday 14th May 14:28

Hey, just wondering if you did contact Colour Coded in the end?

I've was given the details of another body/restoration shop just south of Redditch, called Buddy's Paint Shack. Might be worth looking at too?

No not yet, wil check out buddy's too.

ETA, just googled it, Alcester, really convenient for me.

I also notice it hasn't been going very long. The owner had a similar sounding company dissolved in 2018. One of the google reviews is from him too.

Edited by How u doing on Wednesday 9th June 17:02

[havoc]

How u doing said:

I also notice it hasn't been going very long. The owner had a similar sounding company dissolved in 2018. One of the google reviews is from him too.

Good spot. Company dissolved through strike-off motion in the Gazette though, which is usually instigated by the tax man or Companies House for failing to pay taxes or file accounts. It wasn't objected to, which suggests there were no (clued-up) creditors owed money.

...so it might just have been the owner didn't know what he was doing / was either not advised or poorly advised.

Re: the reviews - out of 11
- 1 is by the owner
- 1 is by someone with the same surname as the other director
- 2 are by people with the surname "Barton" - possibly a coincidence, but out of 11 reviews that's a hell of a statistical anomaly.


So personally I'd be wanting some more evidence of workmanship before I gave them my car.

[BUG4LIFE]

The chap who mentioned Buddy's Paint Shack to me hadn't used them himself, he just know OF them as appose to ABOUT them! I noticed on their social-media they've got pics of a 996 911, that had rusty arches, and the repairs they carried out - I'd definitely be after reviews from customers etc though.

A bit further afield but I've also been looking at The Motorworks in Gloucester. This company carried out the body modifications to Dale Masterman’s [a chap who work for Meguiar] S-Type R that's been all over social-media [if you follow Jags]. I dropped Dale a quick message and he said he was more than happy with the work Motorworks carried out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAqKbdG-d4M

Also, the plan is have my STR professional detailed once the arches etc are sorted, so I've been watching YouTube videos from a guy called Ted Whitehall [from The Devil is in the Detail]. I believe he also owns/part-owns/is associated with a bodyshop and is in the middle of restoring a few classics. His attention to detail seems pretty high, watching his vids, so I plan to go pay him visit - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYa4uhjewz1wGrEk...

[How u doing]

havoc said:

How u doing said:

I also notice it hasn't been going very long. The owner had a similar sounding company dissolved in 2018. One of the google reviews is from him too.

Good spot. Company dissolved through strike-off motion in the Gazette though, which is usually instigated by the tax man or Companies House for failing to pay taxes or file accounts. It wasn't objected to, which suggests there were no (clued-up) creditors owed money.

...so it might just have been the owner didn't know what he was doing / was either not advised or poorly advised.

Re: the reviews - out of 11
- 1 is by the owner
- 1 is by someone with the same surname as the other director
- 2 are by people with the surname "Barton" - possibly a coincidence, but out of 11 reviews that's a hell of a statistical anomaly.


So personally I'd be wanting some more evidence of workmanship before I gave them my car.

Barton seems to be reoccurring, original company registered to Barton Mews, Barton Rd.

[BUG4LIFE]

Another place to maybe look into - https://www.addictiontodetail.co.uk

As mentioned in this PH thread - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...

The two guys who used ATD, in the above thread, aren't regular posters though so not sure how easy they'd be to get hold of, to offer more feedback [I'll drop them both a message].

[BUG4LIFE]

Coming back to this thread...I haven't moved to far forward with picking a shop to do the bodywork on my STR. Mrs BUG4LIFE and I welcomed our second son three weeks ago so obviously sorting my car hasn't been top of my list!

I have got a few quotes in, though I do want to get a couple more so I've got a broad range of opinions and options.

My searching has brought up a few more shops...

- https://www.plcarbodies.co.uk [I heard good things about these guys, so I'm definitely going to give them a buzz/pay them a visit].

- https://retropower.co.uk [potentially these guys only take on big projects, so sorting rusty arches and painting bumpers aren't a service they offer?].

- https://www.xkengineering.com [I've already been to see these guys. They were very welcoming and the MD took a couple of hours out of his day to have his team clean my car, have a proper look over it and show me around their workshops].

Mike, if you read this, I've just realised I haven't come back to you. I've had an email sat in my drafts for a few weeks totally forgot to hit send?!

[havoc]

Quick bump - where did (didn't?) you take the car, and how was their work?

[BUG4LIFE]

havoc said:

Quick bump - where did (didn't?) you take the car, and how was their work?

Hi mate. Did you get my email?

[havoc]

Yeah, thanks. Might be taking a drive in the direction of the M5 tomorrow...

[BUG4LIFE]

havoc said:

Yeah, thanks. Might be taking a drive in the direction of the M5 tomorrow...

Did you go see anyone?

[havoc]

Yes but not as far as Gloucester.

Got recommended a bodywork guy (not a painter), waiting for a quote back.

[arguti]

There is also majestic motors near kenilworth.

I know Chris Clarke through Alfa circles and they are top notch. Chris lives in Worcester and owns various classics.

https://www.majestic-motors.co.uk/