Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC Restoration

““The 560 SEC is the Eighties’ S-Class Coupe - a big, boaty two-door GT car for cannoning down Autobahns at an entirely legal and completely possible 155mph.””

— TopGear.com

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Prestige had the pleasure of carrying out some improvement works on this 560 SEC produced in 1988. The owner has had the car for the last 20 years and in that time, it’s only covered 10,000 miles. However, it had been sat outside gathering grime and mould for sometime.

Here is a brief glimpse into how we go about Restoring a Classic Car.

Click through the slideshow below for photographs taken on its arrival.

The vehicle was assessed and stripped down to it’s bare shell so we could deal with any metal work requirements.

Rust and corrosion found in all the usual places for these cars, especially around the rear windscreen and scuttle panel.

The definition of overengineering?

Paintwork

Engine bay upon arrival…

Engine bay looking factory fresh following the Prestige treatment.

Interior improvements

Including the removal and re-veneering of the woodwork that was broken and faded.

Woodwork has its shine back.

Upgrades

Prestige fitted a Bremen SQR 46 DAB head unit to allow the owner to listen to music via bluetooth. Modelled on the legendary Blaupunkt SQR 46 from the year 1986, it therefore looks period correct but has the modern functionality.

The cream leather was beginning to show it’s age so we recolonised it, a technique that provides a fantastic result, quickly and cost effectively in most cases.

The headlining was replaced by our trimmer Mike along with a new parcel shelf.
Some ‘before pictures below’

leather car seat restoration

New headlining made and fitted in house

Some photos of the exterior before it goes into the next workshop to be assessed by our mechanical technician Spencer.

Maserati 3500 GT Restoration

Currently undergoing a complete ground up restoration in house.

This car was delivered new to Milan, Italy in 1958 with a manual ZF gearbox and Borrani disc wheels.

With metalwork complete including the fabrication of a new front end, door skins and chassis work she has just been finished in her original factory colour of Verde Chiaro with ‘Neutro’ (White) Connolly leather.

The chrome work has been beautifully restored and is ready for refitting and the engine has been removed, detailed and refitted along with carb overhaul.

Expected completion, late 2021.

We have just updated our gallery to include more photographs as this project progresses. (see below)

Prestige Restoration Blog

Below you’ll find a selection of our most recent blogs.

1989 Mercedes G-Wagen at Prestige Restoration, Surrey

1989 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen finished in Arctic Silver. (W460)

The Prestige team were recently tasked with carrying out some improvements to this lovely 1989 Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagon, short for Geländewagen (cross-country vehicle)

Unfortunately corrosion had snapped the rear chassis tube/shock absorber mount. We cut out, cleaned up and replaced with new shock absorber mounts. The shocks were seized so we removed and replaced these too.

In the engine bay, the battery tray, black air intake and brake servo parts had begun to show their age and corrosion had appeared. These were removed, sanded down and painted with rust inhibitor and powder coated in black.

The driver’s seat vinyl side panel was torn so we replaced a section. Now it won’t be the first thing the owner looks at when he opens the door!

The owner, Dominic has now decided the 30 year old classic off-roader is now too good to be towing his car stocks around the country - here’s how it was collected.

What a hero!

Ancestors: The new Mercedes-Benz X-Class (W470) towing it’s older brother.

We would be delighted to help you with any projects, big or small. Please get in touch below to discuss your requirements and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Stay safe,

Prestige x

“Excellent quality of work and the entire team are very welcoming and helpful. There is real passion for what they do and it runs through each member of the team. Katie was great in leading the communications for what I needed for the G Wagen and ensuring all was completed to beyond expectations. Highly recommend this very well established company, with traditional skills that are sadly becoming rare these days.”

— Mr Hill - Surrey

1968 Maserati Ghibli Restoration

In February we began a bodywork restoration on a 1968 Maserati Ghibli.
We have worked on many of these cars in the past so jumped at the opportunity of doing it again.
As it is approaching metal work completion we thought it would be a good time to look back and share some of this project with you. (a brief snippet from the past 6 months!)

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Arrival, February 2020.

Some areas of concern included the sills, lower front and rear wings, door frames and skins, bonnet frame and bonnet skin. A combination of previous poor repairs and 52 years of use meant the fabrication of new panels was going to be needed.

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The original steel bonnet skin had certainly seen better days, the skin was removed from the frame and sent for media blasting.

The team set about fabricating new lower and side sections from sheet steel. The decision was made to retain the centre section to keep as much originality as possible as this was in good condition. The replacement sections were welded into place.

The bonnet frame was also in poor condition, this was sent for media blasting and we repaired sections as required. The frame was braced up and new sections were welded in. Frame coated in primer before refitting skin to frame and gapping to the car.

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Jack began with the fabrication of the lower rear wing repair panels.

Here you can see the English Wheel being used.

Further work on the LHS included removing, fabricating and replacing lower front wing panels, removing the door and sill work. We removed and fabricated new outer sills and carried out work to the inner sills.

Both doors were removed from the car so we could investigate their condition.
The skin was unwrapped and frames were sent for media blasting.
Repairs were carried out to the frames while we fabricated 2 new door skins using sheet steel. (click through the below slideshow)

Bringing it all together.

Getting close!

1969 Morris MINI Cooper

Today Steve is working on the 1969 Morris MINI Cooper including the fitting of new shock absorbers and tuning the carburettors. 

We can’t wait to see what we can get out of this little car once Steve has worked his magic. Then it’s ready to go home and be enjoyed once more. 

Take a look below at the work we’ve carried out so far.

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We also dealt with some body and paintwork issues, fitted a new headlining and re-trimmed the seats.

Front and rear seats

re-trimmed in as original black

New headlining and sun visors in cream crackle

Much improved from old stained roof.

Ready to be enjoyed!

The Prestige Archives

Over the past 40 years of business we have accumulated a large archive of photographs. We are taking this time to digitalise these photos to allow us to share them with you.

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Let’s start off with some from the 1990’s.

Ferrari 246 GT and GTS Dino..

Sitting side-by-side following metal and paintwork.

Ferrari 275 GTB and 308 GT4

The GTB was treated to a full restoration and the 308 had sill work and paintwork.

Ferrari Dino 246 GTS s/n 07732.

Genuine 'chairs and flares' UK car. The body was refurbished and re-painted it in Nero Tropicale.

Ferrari 365 GT4 BB

Only 367 were made, and only 58 of them in Right Hand Drive. Metalwork and respray carried out. Paint by Sue Harcus.

Ferrari 288 GTO

(the initials stand for Gran Turismo Omologato)
One for 272 produced from 1984 to 1987 in Ferrari's Maranello factory.
And this car is one of 20 UK- supplied examples.
Repaired and repainted in original Rosso Corsa following accident damage.

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We’ll continue to update this so keep your eyes peeled.

Take care and stay safe,

Prestige x

1963 Aston Martin DB5 Restoration

“A Unique and Important Aston Martin Back on the Road after 51 Years”

The original and last known tax disc is still with the car and expired in September 1968. The speedometer shows 33,853 miles.

Prestige were tasked with stripping the car to bare metal and carrying out some metalwork before Sports Classics London (https://sportsclassicslondon.com/) put the car up for sale.

Ready to be stripped to bare metal. Aston Martin DB5 5515 PP.

Upon commencement of the restoration we were amazed to find that every panel on the car was original.

The only sign of a previous minor repair was to the offside rear wing. Great effort was made to replace as little new aluminium as possible to the area to retain its originality. Even the original door skins remain over new frames. The front bonnet and boot lid still have the chassis number written on them this car is an unprecedented find.

In the Prestige metalwork shop.

Upon completion of metalwork the car went off for paint to be finished in Silver Birch.

Photographs Courtesy of Sports Classics London Ltd.

1977 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser Restoration Project

The production of of the first generation of the Land Cruiser began in 1952 as Toyota’s version of a Jeep-like-vehicle. In 1960 the FJ40 series launched.

We were tasked with carrying out the metal, paint and electrical work on this particular 1977 two door model.

Body shell on arrival - October 2019.

Once in the workshop our team could properly assess the work required.

This car had a previously poorly fitted LPG tank which had caused major corrosion to the rear floor.

The decision was made to replace the rear floor.

The corrosion was caused by trapped moisture between the tank and the rear bed.

Replacement rear floor

Body onto chassis

Next, work was required on the rear swing doors and the O/S and N/S doors.

Repair door on the far side coated in red oxide primer, door to be repaired at the front.

Further work on outer sills and floor pans.

Pre-fitting of rear swing doors, roof, locks and latches. An important step in the process.

Pre-fitting before paint.

Whilst the car is being painted, Marek our electrical technician can work on the wiring loom.

Work on the wiring loom being carried out in our electrical and mechanical shop.

Keep an eye on our blog for further updates and to see how this fantastic utility vehicle looks in it’s paint.

*recently updated, take a look below.

Maserati Ghibli 'SS' 'Lightweight' Bonnet Skin fabricated by Prestige Restoration

Recently fabricated at Prestige by our team of highly skilled coach builders, a Maserati Ghibli bonnet skin in 1.5mm Aluminium. Now available for sale.

Maserati Ghibli bonnet skin in Aluminium, mid build. Maserati 3500 GT in the background.

Enormous weight savings compared to its steel counterpart.

Steel vs Aluminium - English Wheel

Aston Martin DB6 sympathetic restoration

Aston Martin DB6, metalwork carried out to customers requirements including inner and outer sill replacement.

Does your classic require some metal, paint or mechanical work before the show season?

Email or call us for a quote.

Nationwide covered transport available.

Maserati 3500 GT Restoration

Maserati 3500 GT Front End for Sale

Hand fabricated front end made using high quality aluminium sheet by our skilled set of coach-builders.

Interested in making an order? Please complete the below form and we will get back to you with cost and availability.

Pre Season Detailing for Aston Martin DB6

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Aston Martin DB6 being treated to an engine bay freshen up, replacement of rear road coil springs, rectification of some electrical issues and replacement of boot carpet. 

Does your cherished classic need a bit of TLC before the show season?

Why not get in touch for a quote. Nationwide collection and delivery available. 

Classic car restoration in Henley-on-Thames

The UK's leading classic car restoration facility with the aim of providing the very highest standards of workmanship.

Find out more

June 2019, BMW Isetta

1955 BMW Isetta treated to a set of hand made quarter bumpers at Prestige Restoration…

June 2019:

We had a call from a loyal client saying he was having difficulty sourcing some aluminium quarter bumpers for his beautiful little ‘microcar’ and of course we were happy to help!

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We began by reinforcing the fiberglass moulds that were supplied to allow us to hammer some shape into them using 2mm Aluminium.  

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Basic shape achieved using hammer and sandbag.

Once created using a single sheet they can be polished!

View fullsize

 Polishing aluminium to achieve that shiny effect was done using various grades of production paper.

We have polished bumpers in the past so that they’re almost a chrome effect but this time we were cautious that they matched the bumpers on the rear.

Below you can see the finished result, fitted and it wasn’t long before our customer was back on the road.

 Interested in having some work carried out on your classic vehicle?

We carry out any task, big or small as you can see with the upmost care and distinction.

For more information, questions or to book just complete the form below.

Ferrari 246 GT Dino at Prestige Restoration in Surrey

1969 Ferrari 246 GT Dino treated to a new lease of life at Prestige Restoration..

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This particular Dino was the 16th built and featured lots of features carried over from the 206 Dino.

Having spent some of its early life in Germany, France, Canada, the USA and finally returning to the UK in 2017 it was certainly well travelled.

As with all restorations like this one the vehicle was stripped to bare metal by hand to preserve the integrity of the steel body.

Once the vehicle was stripped and ancillary items removed it was media blasted and this is where the previous poor repairs really started to show themselves.  

 As above, you can see where the incorrect processes have been used.

The Dino was fitted to a jig and the all-important alignment of the chassis and body was checked.

Various parts were hand fabricated in house using our bucks and all metalwork was carried out as per our customer’s requirements.

Coming Soon

Coming soon…

From hand fabricated front ends to an eclectic selection of original parts collected over the last 40 years in industry.

Check back here soon for more information or follow @PrestigePartsUK on Instagram.