GOOD bodyshop for paint - W.Mids / E.Mids / Oxon / Bucks

[havoc]

Need a very good bodyshop for paint-matching - 14y.o. pearl-yellow paint (bumper replacement). Want it to be spot-on, which isn't going to be easy with that paint. It's also an insurance job, so cost is less important.

I'm based in Stratford-upon-Avon, happy to travel c. 1 hour for somewhere worthwhile:-
- Warwickshire
- 'Greater Birmingham'
- most of Oxfordshire
- parts of Leicestershire
- parts of Northants
- parts of Worcs
- parts of Bucks

Done quite a bit of searching on here, and (in no order) the following have come up as recommended by various people. Can anyone comment either way on any of these, or suggest anyone else. Want to narrow it down to 2 or 3 to visit and get quotes from.

Bodymaster, Walford
C&N Customs, Oxon
Finishline, Hitchin (too far?)
PJB Motorbodies, B'ham
Bodytech, Earlswood, B'ham
Bodywork, Solihull
Silverstone Paint, Towcester
Paint Tec, N'ton
Elite, N'ton
Harlequin, Leics
Thurmaston, Leics
Selbys, Basford, N'ham
Stallion Automotive, N'ham
Jaytek Racing, Telford-ish?

Also posted in GG for a broader crowd

[belleair302]

Look for some of the classic specialists. I would look very closely at the following three.

Hightone Restorations Limited
Hopcrofts Holt
Steeple Aston, Nr Bicester
Oxon, OX25 5QQ

These guys do some of the best bodywork and restorations within the UK and their cars go to Pebble Beach and Villa D'Este each year. Not cheap but outstanding work.

Graham Caddick
Limn Restorations
Unit 3, Three Bridge Mill Industrial Park, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, MK18 4DY

Graham and his team have a wonderful facility, do not charge stupid rates but have an excellent booth and really know their paints and how to match colours / shades. He is a top chap and really cares about his work.

Finally you should speak with either Chris or Jason at
Finishline (UK) Limited
Jacks Hill
Great North Road
Graveley
Hitchin
Herts
SG4 7EQ

These guys have just done a very difficult partial respray on a new Gallardo which two other shops could not match (one being Lamborghini UK in High Wycombe)....and again their knowledge, attention to detail and reasonable rates make them a must talk to company.

[neil-f]

Martin chap on Ferrari forum had this company do a colour change (silver to pearl white) on his 360 spider this year and the quality is excellent attention to detail was superb not sure how local it is for you

Bedford Body Services Ltd
Leyland Trading Estate,
Wellingborough,
Northamptonshire
NN8 1RT
01933 275 100 - Ask for Mark.

Cheers
Neil

[havoc]

Thanks both.

The other thread has come up with Greg Howell @ Southam Bodies, which has the advantage of being on my doorstep. Any thoughts?

[MGSteve]

Another to add to the list is QVR (Quality Vehicle Refurbishment) in Chipping Warden, Oxon.
www.qvrefurb.co.uk

I have had 2 cars repaired there, one a pearl black and another a green/gold flip paint. Both times the paint match and quality was spot on.

Edited by MGSteve on Friday 5th November 13:12

[Ozone]

SGM Coachworks on Wildmere Road in Banbury are good. They do the paintwork for Prodrive and racing restorations etc. Ask for Steve.

Also CarBody on Overthorpe Road in Banbury are good for general insurance work.