Whether it be body repairs, full body paintwork or a nut–and-bolt concours show car, Bob Houghton Ltd pride ourselves on our restorations.
The whole process is monitored closely by our clients and all the finer details are met without reprisal.
Please read through some of our testimonials below, including various award winning cars noticeably Pebble Beach and Salon Prive concours events.
RESTORATION 2015 - 1967 FERRARI 365 CALIFORNIA
At our first Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, it was an honour to participate amongst the most rare and most beautiful cars in the world. Amongst the most exclusive Ferrari of them all, the successor to the 500 superfast sold only to the exceptionally rich and famous. The convertible, styled by To Tjaarda, is unique and one of only two right hand drive examples.
In 2015 we commenced the task of restoring the car back to its original colour combination of blue sera and Vaumol light tan interior. This was a huge project involving painstaking research (Including proving this was the only car out of the 14 ever built to have a black leather dashboard (The remaining 13 have a wooden dashboard)
After a year of work the owner decided he would try to enter the car into the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours so, on completion, the car was shipped to California to take part in the tour drive and Concours event on the 18th fairway.
David Houghton and Russell Smith flew over to prepare the car and after the transport worked tirelessly to bring the car to perfection. The car received a fantastic reception and the amazing design was truly appreciated in the states which gave the model its name.
RESTORATION 2013 - 1968 FERRARI 365 GTS
This car was entered into Salon Prive 2015 and received runner-up prize in its class, performing remarkably well against a strong field.This model is one of the rarest Ferraris in existence with only 20 being created.
A beautiful car, Bob Houghton Ltd were entrusted with a full restoration in 2013 with instructions to take the car back to its original colour combination of Grigio Le Sancy and Nero interior (as you may know, many of the Ferrari colours are named after famous race horses).
It was completely stripped back to a bare shell which revealed the undamaged metal work to be in great condition. After preparation and painting, everything was rebuilt to concours award winning level. The car went on to win its class in the 2015 Ferrari Owners Club concours and was also exhibited in the 2015 Salon Prive where it gained second place.
It is not all about the looks and this car drives superbly as we always pay particular attention to the mechanical side of our restorations, after all – Ferraris are meant to be driven!
RESTORED 2015 - 1962 FERRARI 250 GTE
The Ferrari 250 GTE has become an iconic 2+2 and a popular choice for customers over the years to have them restored to their former beauty. This model wasn’t a desirable example and had many after market additions installed in its past.
We worked closely with our customer to refine any details he wished to keep, whilst keeping the car as original as possible. This full restoration required work to the chassis as parts where incorrect or missing before being painted.
Full retrim of the interior including beautifully reupholstered seats demanded attention from all who saw the car from bare body to final product.
RESTORED 2014 - 1965 FERRARI 275 GTS
Another rare classic Ferrari is the 275 GTS, a sleek design on the legendary 275 chassis and running gear, making it a fantastic convertible touring car. This particular car is a period converted 6 carburettor example which we sold to the owner many years ago.
In late 2014 he decided to give the car a ‘birthday present' and commissioned a ground up restoration from us. The body was stripped of all components and then everything, down to the last nut, bolt, bush and bearing was painstakingly cleaned, checked, renewed where necessary or restored. A classic Ferrari should be repaired and restored, not renewed.
We try to maintain as many parts as possible to keep the cars as original as possible and our aim is always to restore original parts rather than renew them. On completion in 2016 the completed car was entered into the Ferrari Owners Club concours and was rewarded with Best In Class – which was wonderful recognition of all our passionate hard work we at Bob Houghton Ltd put into all our cars.
RESTORED 2018 - ASTON MARTIN DB5
This stunning DB5 arrived in our workshop late 2017 for some slight restoration work. The car had a full engine rebuild and overall mechanically sound with a few small issues. After a detailed inspection of the car the paintwork remained the primary concern.
The customer was happy to strip the car to refresh the paintwork and take care of any other mechanical faults. It was never the intention to be of concours standard however the final product was stunning. The interior had a complete retrim including brand new carpets, headlining and dash.
The car was finished in Goodwood green with tan interior. A beautiful example and the second DB5 restoration in 2 years.
RESTORED 2019 - 1973 MASERATI BORA
This Maserati Bora was first obtained by our clients as their first supercar, a family of true enthusiasts. With the car looking tired we went about the discussion as to how far they would like to go.
A fresh paint job, an engine overhaul and keeping the existing interior trim were the primary tasks unless repairs were required. Once the car had been stripped it was clear that some elements needed our attention due to the age of the car.
The original colour of the paint was kept and the car, with the repaired original leather interior, looks just like when he bought it all those years ago.
RESTORED 2015 - 1968 FERRARI 365 GTC
This restoration started in early 2015. Already a very nice driving car, the new owner wanted a specific colour combination because the existing red didn’t do this car justice. An original right hand drive example, and a beautiful design in its own right, the 365 GTC is always underestimated.
This car was restored to Celeste Metallic with Burgundy leather and everything was inspected, rebuilt and refinished to the best level possible.
The power the of the 4.4L V12 and exquisite handling make this a fantastic driver’s car so great deal of attention was paid to the suspension and mechanical quality of the restoration and ensuring all the fine adjustments were perfect.
RESTORED 2015 - 1963 FERRARI 250 LUSSO
The Lusso needs no introduction. Often thought of as the most beautiful Ferrari design, the late David Clarke loved them for their sophistication and elegance. The car we see here was brought over from the United States and we were commissioned to fully restore her and take her back to the original colour combination of Grigio Argento and Nero interior.
The quilting on the rear luggage shelf is a work of art in itself! Our attention to detail resulted in the door gaps being improved even beyond their condition when new but this level of improvement is the standard of restoration demanded today on these very special cars.
Commenced in late 2015 the restoration was completed in 2017 and even if we do say it ourselves, we believe this is the smoothest driving Lusso around.
RESTORED 2010 - LAMBORGHINI MUIRA P400SV
In 2010 this restoration was undertaken initially as a mechanical rebuild of a special car which had originally been imported to the Middle East.
When stripped, the owner decided to go all out and Bob Houghton Ltd were asked to undertake a full body restoration returning it back to its original colour of Giallo Miura, (a rare shade between Arancio and Giallo Flay). This was a proper “full nuts–and-bolts” commission with everything being restored back to its original specification.
The results were astounding and the owner decided to take the car on the Lamborghini 50th Anniversary tour where the car went on to win the SV class concours award amongst some very stiff competition.
RESTORED 2012 - 1962 FERRARI 250 GTE
An award winning restoration that wowed the Ferrari owners club event when displayed in 2013 began in late 2011 in need of repair. A full restoration wasn’t in dispute in this case as the car had been used a great deal before entering our workshop.
Some extensive work was carried out on the fuel system with many parts seized and corroded through age. With our exclusive parts we were able to replenish all redundant parts with original items.
It may have taken some time to choose the correct colours but with the light grey carpets, black leather dash and blue interior leather trim, the car is a fantastic combination.
