Restoration

Why restoration bills reach numbers that horrify outsiders, where the money actually goes, and the practical protections that matter when handing a valuable car to a workshop for a year. Staged payments, written scope, and what happens if the business fails.

Where the line actually falls between rust that matters and rust that does not, in the words of the MOT inspection manual. What rust converters can and cannot do, why filler over a sill is not a repair, and whether underseal really fails a test.

Classic Austin-Healeys are well served for parts, because they share their BMC mechanicals with MG and other BMC cars. A practical guide to parts availability, the Big Healey's chassis and aluminium-shroud restoration, the simpler Sprite, running costs, the clubs, and how the cars are insured.

Classic Land Rovers are among the most restorable vehicles on the road, thanks to body-on-frame construction, bolt-on aluminium panels and exceptional parts supply. A practical guide to the chassis and bulkhead corrosion that defines them, parts availability across the range, what restoration involves, running costs, and how the cars are insured.

Classic MGs are among the best-supported old cars on the road. A practical guide to MG parts availability by model, the specialists and club spares that serve the marque, what restoration involves for the monocoque and separate-chassis cars, and how the cars are insured.

How a restomod differs from a faithful restoration, the British firms building them, and the originality-versus-usability trade-off.

One of the best reasons to own a classic Triumph is how well it is supported. A practical guide to Triumph parts availability by model, the kinds of specialists and club spares schemes that serve the marque, what restoration involves for the separate-chassis cars and the trickier engines, and how the cars are insured.