Projects

#chasingperfection

Cars

  • Pre-War Aston Martin

    This is the 1925 Motor Show car with body by Jarvis of Wimbledon.

    Made by Bamford & Martin Ltd of Kensington. The Motor of October 1925 described the car as "the most beautiful small car of the show". The price for a touring car was 825€ in 1925 compared to an Austin 7, 149€. It has a side valve engine of 1486cc with a single SU carburettor. The engine had a non-detachable head with screw caps over each valve for valve replacement. Transmission is via multi-plate dutch plus dutch stop and 4-speed gearbox. The gearbox was inspired by Ettore Bugatti's gearbox. Lionel Martin, co-founder of the Bamford and Martin company, drove a Brescia Bugatti. One of the first marques with four-wheel brakes as standard, the front brakes are operated by the foot pedal, while the rear pair actuated by the handbrake.

    These early Aston Martin's established the reputation of being one of the fastest standard touring light cars or "voiturettes" on the road and track. Built to a very high standard indeed which lead to their bankruptcy in 1925, the receivers came shortly after chassis number 1966 was made. Chassis number 1970 was the last of the Bamford cars ever build before the company became Renwick and Bertelli, the start of a new era.

    One of two cars with this 'boat-tall' body shape, it has been restored with much of the wood-work being original. The bonnet of this car is much longer than usual and gives access to pedals and dashboard.

    Among the many owners was Fred Ellis (side valve guru) as well as Richard Stallebrass, who was the 'driver' behind the reformation of the Aston Martin Owners Club in 1948 but losing his life soon after in the Spa 24-hour race; a trophy is awarded in his memory, annually, by the club.

    This restoration was started by Anthony Harper soon after purchase in 1972 and completed by the present owner in the last few years.

  • Ferrari 246
    After stripping this Dino for its repaint we discovered some very poorly repaired previous accident damage. Extensive panel fabrication and shaping commenced before repainting in the cars original Yellow this time in clear over base.
  • Maserati 3500 GT

    This beautiful Maserati 3500 GT was Maserati’s first successful venture into the highly contested GT market.

    This particular example was brought to us by a customer from Belgium. He had previously had the bodyshell panelled and painted by a reputable specialist and was very disappointed with the results.

    Proline reshaped the outer body panels, repainted the complete car and flat and polished all the new paintwork.

    The client was delighted with the results and has been a regular customer with many cars ever since.

  • Bentley Corniche

    Purchased by our client in a state of disrepair, we were commissioned to restore this Bentley back into a presentable, usable car.

    Proline carried out a complete bare metal respray including fitting new lower sills, arches and various other panel work. It was repainted in its original Masons Black with a contrasting single white coachline.

    A complete strip out of the interior woodwork for re-veneering and fresh lacquer was carried out at the same time as the bodywork.

    The interior colour had been previously changed to black, so the trim was stripped and returned to its original grey. A new carpet set was also fitted in light grey Kensington wool with matching luxury sheepskin over rugs.

  • Porsche Spyder 718RSK Classic Restoration

    The Porsche 718RSK replica seen here was bought by Proline founder Gareth Jones from a collector in Scotland. After flying up to Glasgow alone a deal was done.

    The next day Gareth set off to drive the little VW based 1600 air cooled motor the 340-mile trip back to Northampton. With a 75mph blow out en route and many stops due to not having a fuel gauge, 10 hours later the car and new owner were finally back in Northampton.

    New trims, running gear and a complete repaint later the car was finished. A great project with a great story. Subsequently sold and now living in Southern France.

  • Lotus Elite

    A super example of the little Lotus Elite produced between 1957 and 1963. The glass fibre monocoque bodyshell produced a lighter, stiffer shell with better driver protection than other marques available at the time.

    Great efforts were taken by the team at Proline on this body restoration to ensure accurate colour matches. Also that the correct textures were used on the underside and interior finishes.

    Finished in Primrose Yellow with a contrasting Lotus silver roof, a satin black engine bay and dash board, and a textured light grey interior and inner boot area completed the original look.

  • Coombs Jaguar MKII 3.8

    This Jaguar MKII 3.8 is one of only twenty-five original cars modified by Coombs of Guilford.

    Having been a successful driver, John Coombs turned entrant for some of the best British drivers of the fifties and sixties, including World Champions Jackie Stewart, Jack Brabham and Graham Hill. The family business, Coombs of Guilford, was one of the foremost Jaguar dealerships so it was no surprise that Coombs successfully entered the British Saloon (Touring) Car Championships with Jaguars.

    Initially racing the 3.4 litre MKI, then the MKII and finally the MKII 3.8 litre, the battles between the dark blue Sopwith and the white Coombs cars driven by Jack Sears, Mike Parkes, Roy Salvadori and Stirling Moss were the highlights of any race meeting of the time.

    Unlike their opposition, Coombs received bare shells from Jaguar and built them into race winning cars utilising their own modifications. Some of these engine and chassis tweaks were made available to clients for their road cars. In the early sixties these made an enormous difference to the performance but at a similar increase in price, probably the reason only 25 cars were so modified.

    This particular car was brought to us having been sat in another bodyshop for some time. The owner not being happy with the way the car was being restored turned to Proline.

    Our team had to go through boxes and boxes of parts, paint the car and start to piece it back together. The car was finished over a two-year period to the point it left our workshops driving, with an MOT, ready for the owners distinguished collection.

  • Austin Healey 3000 Accident Repair

    This Austin Healey 3000 was bought to us when the owner lost a rear wheel whilst driving, resulting in a badly damaged rear wing. This happened when he was driving his daughter to church on her wedding day. Unfortunately they had to abandon the car, but the bride did make it to church in time.

    Miracle Pull System

    Using our Miracle Pull system we were able to pull the damaged panel back into correct alignment making the reshaping process extremely accurate.

    Paintwork

    The panel was repaired and painted. The colour was blended through the door to ensure an invisible repair. Great results!

    We are here to help, so why not get in touch, even if it is for some free advice.

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  • Austin Healey
    This is one of many Healey`s bought to us for paint only by a well known Healey restorer. Bare metal respray in Healey Ice blue metallic.
  • 1956 Porsche 356 B
    Recently imported from the U.S and brought to us for commissioning. We stripped the car back to bare metal to find a stunning unmolested example with hardly any corrosion. Complete respray in original silver metallic. New rubbers, trims and a thorough engine service, it sailed straight through the mot and is a great little classic.

Bikes

  • Marlboro Paris to Dakar Replica

    This BMW R1200 GS adventure was 1 of 2 painted for Wollaston BMW Motorrad dealership. Based on the 1986 Paris-Dakar rally bike ridden by the tiny Belgium racer Gaston Rahier. At 5`4 Gaston was a tiny man that could only mount the giant BMW by running alongside the bike feathering the clutch and sidestepping onto it whilst moving. The bike we see here was subsequently sold by Wollaston BMW but brought back to us by its owner for minor paintwork caused when it was kicked by a donkey whilst on Safari in Marrakech.

  • BMW R nineT Retro

    Another retro style paint scheme to coincide with current trends and café racer bike fashion. This R nineT has subtle silver coachlines and fades into existing black metallic paintwork.

  • Triumph Cub

    Owned from new by our customer this lovely little Cub had been sitting for many years unused when he decided to restore it to its original showroom condition. Commissioned to carry out the paintwork Proline stripped, blasted and painted all relevant components and matched the original colours. Now restored to concours condition and back with its proud owner.

  • MAGNI-BMW MB1

    Magni is one of those motorcycling names, like Egli, that hovers on the periphery of stardom. Egli is inseparable from Vincent, but Magni is associated with MV Agusta, Honda and Moto Guzzi. Some of the earliest Magnis, though, had BMW power. The MB1 shown above uses a heavily modified airhead taken from a BMW R80, bored out to a litre. Paint stripped and colour changed by Proline to the correctly matched original red. Now part of an enthusiast's BMW bike collection.

  • Yamaha RD350

    Now these 1980`s bikes have become highly desirable and are rapidly increasing in value more and more people are choosing to restore them. This complete set of bodywork was brought to us for restoring and repainting. Matching the bikes original blue and reproducing the original graphics was the challenge. Now looking completely factory fresh like it did in the 80`s

  • BMW S1000RR GoldBet

    Paintwork done by Proline to produce this replica of the BMW S1000RR as used by the BMW world superbike team in 2013 and 2014 and ridden by racers Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri. An awesome looking bike.

  • BMW R1200 GS Adventure

    Another Paris-Dakar replica this time of the team BMW Gauloises bike ridden by Jimmy Lewis in the 2001 Paris to Dakar rally. A complex design to mask and replicate but with great results creating a unique 1 off bike.

  • BMW R nineT Gulf Paint

    Looking for a classic style paint scheme to compliment and individualise this retro style R nineT. The Gulf racing paint scheme was born and worked very well gaining many admirers.

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