andybeau Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Restoration garage recommendations for Coventry and Warwickshire area.My Herald is mechanically sound and runs fine, but is getting a bit tatty and is the wrong colour. My garage is also in need of restoration!!I was thinking of selling, but have decided to try and find a garage that could take on the work needed and also free up my garage so I can repair or replace. As far as I can see it needs the passenger door repairing (new skin), repairs to bonnet and rear valance needs replacing, and a good looking over of chassis as last MOT (passed with no advisories) tester said getting a bit rusty. Also needs complete respray and new hood.Any recommendations would be gratefully appreciated.Thanks in advanceAndy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hammond Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 No where near Coventry but I had my Herald restored by Chic Doig. Total ground up restoration with NOS chassis and bonnet as well as everything else. His work is superb and the labour rates very reasonable.Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny-Jimbo Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I would take it on myself Andy, but sadly, circumstances are against me.In the Coventry area I can recommend KD Triumph, or KD Classic and Custom. Very good work, and very good labour rates - but if you want the car turned around in half a day, Karl's not your man. If you ring him, tell him Jimbo sent you haha.For paint, and body work I can recommend D and R Services http://d-rservices.co.uk/restoration/ . A friend had his Lotus Elite restored there and they did an excellent job over all. They aren't the best spanner men in the world, but the body work and paint they do is fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybeau Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Quoted from Mark Hammond No where near Coventry but I had my Herald restored by Chic Doig. Total ground up restoration with NOS chassis and bonnet as well as everything else. His work is superb and the labour rates very reasonable.Mark Cheers Mark, how far from Coventry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybeau Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Quoted from Jonny-Jimbo I would take it on myself Andy, but sadly, circumstances are against me.In the Coventry area I can recommend KD Triumph, or KD Classic and Custom. Very good work, and very good labour rates - but if you want the car turned around in half a day, Karl's not your man. If you ring him, tell him Jimbo sent you haha.For paint, and body work I can recommend D and R Services http://d-rservices.co.uk/restoration/ . A friend had his Lotus Elite restored there and they did an excellent job over all. They aren't the best spanner men in the world, but the body work and paint they do is fantastic. Thanks for the info, bodywork is what's needed.Will look into thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsbody47uk Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 There's a certain Fuzz Townshend of Westgate Classics Ltd...Based near Coventry. If you've never heard of him... Oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybeau Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Quoted from Dogsbody47uk There's a certain Fuzz Townshend of Westgate Classics Ltd...Based near Coventry. If you've never heard of him... Oh well. Hmmm wonder what his prices are like now? Worth a quote tho cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanChatterton Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Yorkshire TriumphsNot near Coventry, but it you want it done right, sometimes you need to travel a little further?KD is good, but as has been said.......... not if you are in a hurry!!Dave Pearson, Canley Classics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hammond Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Quoted from andybeau Cheers Mark, how far from Coventry? 300ish miles he is 25 miles north of Edinburgh but better than anyone else that I know and I know many! My Herald cost over £15k to restore and £12k of that went to Chic but, and it is a big but, the car was restored to Concours standard and most of it is new old stock. That's right, a new old stock Herald!Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybeau Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Quoted from Mark Hammond 300ish miles he is 25 miles north of Edinburgh but better than anyone else that I know and I know many! My Herald cost over £15k to restore and £12k of that went to Chic but, and it is a big but, the car was restored to Concours standard and most of it is new old stock. That's right, a new old stock Herald!Mark Sounds nice but a tad too far.CheersAndy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hammond Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Too far? I'm 150 miles south of you and it wasn't too far for me! It's a day to drive there and a £50 Easyjet flight home.Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny-Jimbo Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 It depends how involved in the restoration you want to be. If I was paying someone to restore my cars, I'd want to be able to pop down if I had an afternoon off etc to see how it was going and not have to take a full day to go see the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hammond Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 In all my 55+ years, the project of restoration Herald was one of the most exciting moments i have experienced (perhaps I've led a boring life). The odd visit, many emailed photos and the final point when it's time to collect.... Bear in mind, I have known my car from day one as it was owned from new within the family.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharliesStag Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 KD is worth a try but his turnaround times are beyond laughable to be brutally honest.If you require paintwork I can recommend Southam Bodies in Southam. Say Chas sent you. However, his rates are not the cheapest. His work however is superb and his turnaround times quick. He painted my sister's bumper on her Mondeo in a day despite it having a dent and despite it not being polished/mopped (it was out of the gun so as to speak) it blends in very well in the car, possibly better than the factory finish! It really does not look out of place.On my Escort RS Turbo he welded up the holes but again I could not fault the work;I did tell him that I could wait a while as well! It was strange getting back a car in a week (it went it to have the holes left from the rollcage welded up) with it having little dirt inside and with no extra defects free of charge, something I have had with many other bodyshops over the years, with them being not much cheaper than SB.Have you restored a Classic or owned retros before? If not I am happy to take a look at the car and advise . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybeau Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Quoted from CharliesStag KD is worth a try but his turnaround times are beyond laughable to be brutally honest.If you require paintwork I can recommend Southam Bodies in Southam. Say Chas sent you. However, his rates are not the cheapest. His work however is superb and his turnaround times quick. He painted my sister's bumper on her Mondeo in a day despite it having a dent and despite it not being polished/mopped (it was out of the gun so as to speak) it blends in very well in the car, possibly better than the factory finish! It really does not look out of place.On my Escort RS Turbo he welded up the holes but again I could not fault the work;I did tell him that I could wait a while as well! It was strange getting back a car in a week (it went it to have the holes left from the rollcage welded up) with it having little dirt inside and with no extra defects free of charge, something I have had with many other bodyshops over the years, with them being not much cheaper than SB.Have you restored a Classic or owned retros before? If not I am happy to take a look at the car and advise . Sorry for the late reply busy weekend.Had the Herald for 3 yrs now and others in the past. Will give Southam Bodies a shout and see how much. Prefer a quicker turn around if possible.Thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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