Recent Work

Bit less room in passenger footwell, but they'll have to make do if they agree to get in 😂. New pipework to work up for the discharge nozzles and a rethink on the operating cables #roadlegalracecar #classiccar #classicmini #turbomini

Even I think I may have gone too far for a light bracket 😂 but cannot resist the dimple dies! #addlightness #classiccar #classicmini #turbomini #roadlegalracecar

The additional minimum safety upgrades from hillclimb & sprint to circuit racing are the fire extinguisher and rain light, so time to throw these at the turbo build. #classicmini #turbomini #classiccar #roadlegalracecar #downtonmotorclub

Digital Speedo integration into 80's mini triple clocks, some finessing required, but concept is good to go #classiccar #classicmini #turbomini #restomod

With velour seats and massive dash with square gauges, this series 2 Fiat 131 supermirafiori marks the entry to the 80's on interior design #fiat131 #supermirafiori #classiccar

For a short while yesterday, I had the steering wheel in to check some concepts before it all came back out for mods and final tweaks. It is progress, but slow pace at the moment #turbomini #classicmini #classiccar #downtonmotorclub

Was always gutted I couldn't run this wheel in the hillclimb car, but since we stole the semi-dished one from my turbo for it, I guess it'll have to live in the silver stead now #turbomini #classicmini #classiccar #downtonmotorclub

A trial fit of the road/trackday passenger seat at least proves that it all works when needed. Handbrake and battery cut-off left to package within reach of harnessed driving position #turbomini #classicmini #classiccar #roadlegalracecar

That'll do, think I can look to get it into a single colour and then start adding some good stuff. #turbomini #classicmini #classiccar #roadlegalracecar

Tidied up some old butchery from years ago, added some lightness. The inside of the turbo is almost ready for the next stage.. #turbomini #classiccar #classiccar #roadlegalracecar

The @kentautodevelopments internal gear linkage kit is fantastic. All the hardware necessary to sort the conversion. Waiting on new @ompracing seat to arrive before the driving position can be finalised. #classicmini #turbomini #classiccar

The classic mini steering column is hiding a 9/16-36 spline, same as a MkII Escort. UJ unlocks massive steering wheel adjustment to get that driver position just right #classicmini #classiccar #miniturbo

Column mount sorted. When people wonder why projects take so long, it's because these took two hours to make, and they are relatively simple! #classiccar #classicmini #turbomini

Workshop supervisor owns the floorspace, if you lay down expect a space invader #shopdog #cockerspaniel

MGA in for some winter refinement. We do seem to have a lot of red classics in Dorset! #classiccar #britishcars #mgaroadster #mg

Thanks to @captureyourcarphotography we get to see Nigel's close call at @loton_park from last year for the whole month. Right place at the right time for this incredible shot. #classiccar #classicmini #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub #lotonparkhillclimb

Lifesaver for 80's/90's brittle plastic trim. Hot staple plastic welder is a great little tool. #classiccar #keepoldcarsalive

The Recaro seats were an option on all other versions of the Integrale but standard in the Evo2. A very comfy but purposeful seat. #deltaintegrale #lanciadelta #classiccar

Some fun and games changing the handbrake cable on the Integrale. It's all got a specific order and quite involved, but worth it. #deltaintegrale #lanciadelta #classiccar

I don't get tired of seeing this Evo 2 Delta. Couple of leaks to investigate and some odd bits to keep on top of. #classiccar #deltaintegrale #lanciadelta

November 2011 and today, it seems to be the season for empty engine bays... Maybe I'm the problem? #turbomini #classicmini #classiccar #britishcars

Family drive in the "two seater beater" this afternoon #classiccar #triumph #triumphvitesse #britishcars

The Mazda MX5 engine fits quite nicely in the Toyota Hilux engine bay. Loads of induction noise and plenty of room for a turbo system... 🤔 #engineswap #toyotahilux #mazdaengine #classiccar

First wash and a road test for the Mazda powered Toyota Hilux. The "new" cortina rear axle has a much better final ratio and can finally make use of the six speed MX-5 gearbox #engineswap #classiccar #toyotahilux #mazdaengine

Unwritten workshop rule: Any seat that comes out of a car, belongs to the dog #shopdog #cockerspaniel #ififitsisits

Amazing dash in this 1956 Jaguar XK140. The photo doesn't do the wood justice. A lovely place to sit on the comfy leather sofa, just so long as you aren't too tall, the pedal offset and large wheel are rather restrictive to driver leg length. #jaguarxk #jaguarxk140 #xk140 #classiccar #britishcars

E-Type toolkit, a factory option and now sought after by enthusiasts, jaguar branded tools either in a tin or a leather roll depending on model. #jaguaretype #etype #britishcars #classiccar

When the parts pile for the project reaches this size, it must be time to make some progress... #classicmini #turbomini #classiccar #roadlegalracecar

The ugly side of restomod... Shoehorning modern electronics and associated loom into old cars that don't have much room 🤮 #classiccar #restomod #engineswap

Semaphores are functional again on the 1955 Morris Minor #classiccar #britishcars #morrisminor

Some odds and sods to do on this 1955 series II Morris Minor. Owner wants the semaphores functional, but separate to the retrofitted indicators #morrisminor #britishcars #classiccar

Sunbeam Rapier in this week for a safety check and once over. Still used every week and surely a rare old beast these days. #sunbeam #sunbeamrapier #britishcars #classiccar #rootesgroup

After multiple changes of plan, I finally have a turbo oil drain. Had to modify a rather lovely @kentautodevelopments pinion support housing to include a drainage point but it's done! Love the combination of components on this. #turbomini #classicmini #roadlegalracecar

The GBC is a great little turbo, should massively outperform the previous bigger units. A couple of final puzzle pieces to sort then the engine can go in #turbomini #classicmini #roadlegalracecar

E-Type and Vitesse looking resplendent at @national_motor_museum this morning. A great and varied turnout already for Simply British #classiccar #britishcars #triumphvitesse #jaguaretype #beaulieu

Vitesse is clean and ready for @national_motor_museum on Sunday #triumph #triumphvitesse #vitesse #britishcars #classiccar

Chief engineer not looking too convinced.. #classicmini #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub

Slippery weekend at @wiscombepark_hillclimb for the Five Clubs meeting, but a barrel of laughs wrestling the slicks up the damp hill Saturday for 2nd in class and then faster times on wets in the rain Sunday and held onto 3rd in class. #classicmini #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub #wiscombehillclimb

New @classicminicult t-shirt here in time for the Five Clubs meet at @wiscombepark_hillclimb this weekend. #classicmini #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub

A collection of the finest @marshalsuk looking after everyone at @gurstondownspeedhillclimb this weekend. A few incidents kept them busy and they had a varied selection of weather to contend with #orangearmy #orangeheroes #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub #classicmini

Bit of emergency repair work on the @paulswiftstunts cars ready for @thebritishmotorshow @guinnessworldrecords attempt tomorrow #classiccar #classicmini #thebritishmotorshow

This Dino 246 GTS is a stunning example, the first mass produced car by Ferrari. At the main entrance of The British Motor Show in Farnborough. #dino246gts #dino246 #ferraridino #ferrari #classiccar #thebritishmotorshow

After years of highly skilled metalwork, this Jaguar XJ13 replica is nearly ready for paint. Based on the 1960's LeMans prototype it is a thing of beauty #jaguarxj13 #xj13 #jaguarxj #britishcars #lemans #britishcars #classiccar

Seeing @jon65deluxe Porsche 356 in the flesh is something else, but to hear it is unbelievable #porsche #porsche356 #classiccar #britishmotorshow

Turbo Technics mini up for sale at @thebritishmotorshow this week. In the foyer of Hall 1, a rare a-series turbo setup in a heritage shell, a good ownership opportunity. #classicmini #turbomini #turbotechnics #miniturbo #classiccar #britishcars

Clio in the foyer of the British Motor Show this week, before it heads to it's new owner #cliowilliams #renaultclio #renaultwilliams #classiccar #thebritishmotorshow

Back when roadside assistance was a simpler affair #classicmini #thebritishmotorshow #classiccar

The new Mustang Dark Horse is certainly a beast, 500hp from the V8 Coyote. The Blue Ember is an amazing colour too #mustangdarkhorse #fordmustang #musclecar #britishmotorshow

@harewood_hillclimb last weekend was great, we got lucky with the weather and the competition was very close #sprintandhillclimb #classicmini #miniclubman

Downton entry at Harewood this weekend. Tough class with the Maguire and Vtechbusa as competition #classicmini #sprintandhillclimb #downtonmotorclub #miniclubman #maguiremini

If SU's aren't your thing, I guess a triple Weber alternative is also acceptable! #classiccar #britishcars #jaguaretype #etype

What's better than one @burlenltd SU? Three of them! #classiccar #britishcars #jaguaretype #etype

The turbo technics mini is back on the road. Will be for sale soon, any genuine interest, drop me a line #classicmini #turbomini #turbotechnics #classiccar #britishcars

The turbo technics mini has been woken from a 12 year sleep in storage. Rare to see these odd sucking T1 turbo setups, but it goes really well and delivers nice drivable power #classicmini #classiccar #britishcars #turbomini #turbotechnics

Had to get a little creative with the ratchets at the recent Llandow sprint. Bonnet cracked at both pin locations and the front edge turned up like an air brake down the straights. #classicmini #classicracing #sprintandhillclimb #miniclubman #downtonmotorclub

For Sale: 1972 Triumph TR6, CP model (150bhp) UK car with overdrive. The car is unrestored, good solid body with just a few minor blemishes and very solid underneath. Recently had injection pump and injectors, door cards, seats reupholstered, new tonneau and hood tidy. #triumphtr6 #tr6 #triumph #classiccar #britishcars

The Williams Clio 3 is up for sale. Ideal opportunity to get hold of an awesome 90's hot hatch. Recently had new cambelt and water pump, front subframe powdercoated and all new suspension. #hothatch #cliowilliams #renaultclio

TR6 tidy up has come up lovely. Not doing bad for a 52 year old car #britishcars #triumph #triumphtr6 #triumphsportssixclub #classiccar

Triumph TR6 needed a clutch master cylinder and it deserved a little tart up whilst it was stripped #triumph #tr6 #triumphtr6 #triumphsportssixclub #classiccar #britishcars

Better than new. Modified, lightened and brilliantly coated by @ferndownpowder #turbomini #classiccar #classicmini #roadlegalracecar

Lips cut and polished back to original spec. The Williams looking so good on gold wheels in Monaco blue. What's not to love about a 90's hot hatch? #cliowilliams #renaultclio

Stunning Morgan +8 3.9l V8 in for new clutch hydraulics #britishcars #morganplus8 #roverv8

Needing new helmets was a good excuse for a road trip to Castle Combe to visit Merlin #castlecombecircuit #merlinmotorsport #yamahamt10 #ducatimultistrada

Grunty Pig has been retired from competition 😢. Changes in class regs over the years have made it ineligible. Up onto the mezz for the time being. #classiccar #classicmini #hillclimbandsprint

Overnight parts from Exeter! Custom turbo oil feed with heat protection and some hardline banjo connections #helperformance #madeinbritain #classiccar #turbomini

We love anything with a lampredi twin cam engine, but we don't love Italian wiring #fiat131 #lampreditwincam #classiccar

Had this very smart moggy in for a couple of odd jobs and some stealthy modern upgrades #classiccar #morrisminor #britishcars

Not sure if it's easier in the car or out, but there's always a few connections we're not sure of the function! #engineswap #classiccar

We had a good haul from the 2023 season with @downtonmotorclub, 1st and 2nd in class, @maniflowltd cup, @gurstondownspeedhillclimb challenge, the Richmond award and the Richard Miles award

Clutch to do on this '72 midget #classiccars #mgmidget #mg #britishcars

The Samson Motorsport entry for @bangers4ben_official this year was a ballsy moped and sidecar Wallace and Gromit to your around Ireland. Overall the campaign has raised over £71k towards supporting members of the automotive industry. We've seen their work in action and it's a great cause. #bangers4ben #charityrally #wallaceandgromit

Mezz extension completed. @themetalstoreuk with the perfect solution for handrailing and edge protection.

Throwback to the start of a "quick resto" that has suffered incredible mission creep but will be a stunner. #mgbgt #mgb #britishcars #classicrestoration

Cannot recommend the custom line service by @helperformance highly enough. Measure Tuesday, in hand Thursday. Brilliant products and great service. #customcars #classiccars #helperformance

Started on the heat management for the new @garrettmotion GBC turbo, brilliant stuff from @funkmotorsport #classicmini #turbomini #funkmotorsport

Some people won't get it, but this brings be so much satisfaction. @shadow_foam was great to work with I'd recommend it. #shadowfoam #kaizen

First time out of her hiding place in years, time for assessment and breathe some life into the MkI Metro of @rawhideupholstery #mgmetro #metro #britishcars #classiccar

Wow, just wow, a real life batmobile. Stunning feat of engineering #mcmurtry #mcmurtryspeirling #speirling @thebritishmotorshow

The Clio Williams is show ready. In hall 5 @thebritishmotorshow this week #cliowilliams3 #renaultwilliams #thebritishmotorshow @farnborough_int

The race car looking presentable from a reasonable distance 😂 #classicmini #classicminiclubman #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub #notashowcar

First into hall 5 for @thebritishmotorshow #classicmini #classicminiclubman #cliowilliams3 #cliowilliams #renaultwilliams @farnborough_int

Attacking the kerbs at a wet Harewood on Saturday morning. Great photo by @phillandrews63 #classicmini #classicminiclubman #hillclimbandsprint #harewoodhillclimb #downtonmotorclub

@harewood_hillclimb looking glorious this morning #hillclimbandsprint #harewoodhillclimb #classicmini #classicminiclubman #downtonmotorclub

48hr turnaround on cylinder head strip, machining and rebuild. All ready for @harewood_hillclimb at the weekend #classicminiclubman #classicmini #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub #harewoodhillclimb

Trying to get replacement body mounts for the 1970's Toyota project was impossible, but @powerflexbushes made us some custom ones that are better than the originals. Not going to make the 2023 @thebritishmotorshow but it will be there next year #powerflex #toyotahilux #engineswap #mazdatwincam

Was all going well until it didn't want to go! Quick turnaround needed this week! #classicmini #headgasket #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub #wiscombehillclimb

More favourable conditions today, and nicely dried out from yesterday's weather. #classicmini #classicminiclubman #downtonmotorclub #hillclimbandsprint #gurstondownspeedhillclimb

Baby got back @gurstondownspeedhillclimb

Ducati don't blank off their tubular crash bar mounts, so the 3D printer was put to use #3dprinting #littledetails

Nigel was flying round Llandow at the weekend #hillclimbandsprint #llandowcircuit #downtonmotorclub #classicmini #classicminiclubman @ukminis

Good weekend for the fresh rebuild, 2nd and 3rd in class both days. Some small mods were needed for wheel clearance and airflow, but very happy with the way it drove 📸@m.hawkesphotography #gurstondown @gurstondownspeedhillclimb #classicmini #classicminiclubman #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub

Car back on track @gurstondownspeedhillclimb and a 2nd and 3rd in class too #classicmini #classicminiclubman #classicracecar #downtonmotorclub #hillclimbandsprint

Thank you for your service drill #3, death by tube notcher this afternoon...

@revive_bournemouth adding some colour on the new bits at the weekend. @gurstondownspeedhillclimb next week #downtonmotorclub #sprintandhillclimb #classicmini #classicminiclubman

Force wheels built up with new rims after the crash, refitted with the nearly new slicks ready for gurston next weekend #classicmini #classicminiclubman #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub #forceracingwheels

Whilst repairing the racer, seemed rude not to add some lightness. @carbonweezel once again nailing it. #classicmini #addlightness

New rad for a Delta Integrale Evo 2, few oil leaks addressed too. Great service from @walkersgarageltd and @tbdeltaintegrale for the parts. #deltaintegrale #lanciadeltaintegrale #classiccars

Oil leaks and service work to do on an Evo 2 Delta Integrale. Lovely car, but no room to work under the bonnet! #classiccarproblems #lanciadeltaintegrale #deltaintegrale #hf

Seems to be the culprit for the impromptu meeting with the embankment at @wiscombepark_hillclimb, car is mechanically repaired, just needs some beautifying.. #classicmini #classicminiclubman #hillclimbandsprint #downtonmotorclub

Cambelt and water pump done on a lovely factory k-series caterham supersport. Shame I'm too big to test drive 😭 #caterham #kseries