Source and Build
The car you want, found by us.
Whether you're looking for a beautiful weekend classic, a nut and bolt restoration or something bespoke, we will find it, prepare it and present it to you, exactly as you want it.
Our Source and Build service provides you with the car you've always desired. Tell us what you want, tell us how you want it to look and we will find it and prepare it with the same dedication and attention to detail we apply to all our builds.
If you’ve always wanted a Triumph Stag in yellow, or loved the V8 Vantage, but hated the feeling of piloting a boat on land, we can incorporate modern touches and personalisation to give you the car you’ve long desired.
As a classic restorer, we’re loathed to shoehorn huge V8’s into Jaguar MKII’s, or supercharge a Morris Minor, but some semblances of modern driving are welcome additions, which is why we offer such upgrades as cooling, brakes, steering, soundproofing and electrics, to remain faithful to the beauty and intentions the car was built with, but the reliability and handling more akin to the modern.
Sourced Classic
Finding a good classic car can be difficult, adverts are often misleading, the cars themselves can hide expensive problems and when one is found, it will almost certainly need work that will require specialist equipment or more time than you have to give.
Once we have discussed your requirements, we find good candidates, confirm them with you and then visit them to assess their quality. When the right car is found we buy it on your behalf, write up a complete engineers’ report and rectify the issues you agree with, resulting in an excellent example without the fuss.
Complete Restoration
If show quality is something you desire and attention to detail is important then we can offer a full restoration based on the car of your choice.
When we have found the example that is perfect for you we buy it on your behalf and then completely strip it, either blasting or acid dipping the shell to give the perfect base on which to start and completely restore it.
All imperfections are rectified, the shell is treated, prepped and painted, then rebuilt with every component restored or replaced, the interior clothed in sumptuous new trim and every detail finished to the only standard we know.
Modern Touches
Amongst the many benefits of engaging us to Source and Build your car is that you have the option to update, uprate or bespoke your classic.
We don't like to spoil a beautiful classic with changes not in keeping with its class, some elements enhance it, make it a more enjoyable thing to own and bring the experience a little closer to the modern, while yet keeping it firmly placed in its past.
We offer the following upgrade options (not all upgrades apply to every car):
- Fuel injection conversion
- Intelligent engine cooling management
- Suspension upgrades
- Polyurethane bushes
- Stiffer / lowered springs
- Adjustable shocks
- Uprated anti-roll bar
- LED / Xenon bulb conversion
- Electronic ignition
- Alternate steering wheels
- Electric power steering
- Air conditioning
- Sound proofing
Sympathetic fuel injection conversion utilising the original carburettors as the throttle bodies transforms the driving experience, making the engine more akin to your daily drive than the temperamental systems of the era, whilst retaining the original look.
Improved cooling options prevent overheating, a common issue with so many cars from these decades, as well as improving longevity. An intelligent controller runs the water pump and fan at whichever speed and flow is necessary for the engine temperature conditions, not the engine speed. This allows the pump to run at full flow - even when the engine is at tickover, such as in a queue, which, particularly on a hot day can normally cause classic cars to struggle to maintain the correct engine temperature.
Additionally, the system runs after the engine has stopped. When an engine is turned off, the temperature in the engine bay rises; latent heat in the block is no longer being removed by the cooling system and hot spots occur, which over time, can cause elements to fail, such as valve seats. The upgraded cooling management system continually runs the coolant pump and fans as much as is needed for as long as needed to gradually bring down the whole engine temperature safely.
Air conditioning can be added where it did not exist, or where it does, upgraded modern components can be used to replace the originals to improve efficiency as well as your experience.
Suspension upgrade options can transform the way the car handles. While the options available for each car differs, polyurethane bushes, uprated springs and adjustable shocks can update the original ride to something a little closer to a more modern car.
Paint colours, revised trim, wheels, sound systems and other subtle, but important changes can be made to make these automotive icons that bit more enjoyable.
Always within budget
Classic cars are money pits; or at least, they can be. They require more maintenance and more specialised care than modern cars; they suffer from corrosion and go out of tune, so heaping expensive build costs on top is a headache that is simply not needed or desired.
When we Source and Build we agree a budget; you know what you would like to spend and we won’t exceed that. We know how much these cars should be bought for and once we have assessed it, we know what elements are needed and likely to cost, so we can work with you to find the balance of restoration and budget and ensure those costs aren't exceeded.
Unless you ask for more to be done, or changes to be made, we bring the car in on budget without cutting corners.