The RC45 is arguably the most desirable Honda ever made. Between 1994 and 1999 there were just 200 of these made and finding a used bike in good condition today is a very tall order indeed.
The bike ticks all the boxes – fuel-injection, DOHC, 118bhp, 749cc V4, a single-sided swingarm, six-speed gearbox and an aluminium twin-spar chassis. In competitions it carried home some illustrious prizes including John Kocinski’s triumph at the WSBK championship and Jim Moodie’s glorious circuit at the Isle of Man in just over 18 minutes at an average speed just shy of 200km/h.
The 1994 RC45 we were asked to restore looked like it could still go some but it desperately needed some major repairs to its fairings and fuel tank. Some bright spark had resprayed the fuel tank the wrong colour for the RC45 and nearly all the fairings had splits or heavy scuffing in the plastic.
The front fairing had fared worst of all. It had long wide cracks in the plastic that called for some heavy duty plastic welding to reinforce it from behind.
Once our repairs had been made invisible to the eye we sprayed the plastic parts with an adhesion promoter before applying primer. This is essential for ensuring the paint adheres perfectly to the surface.
The RC45 was sprayed in 3 different colours – white, red and blue. We lacquered over the paint to create a shine and to seal the colours off. We needed next to apply graphics and the lacquer ensures that no marks from this would damage the colours or undercoats.
Applying graphics is a highly skilled job and one that takes a steady hand and the patience of a saint. It can take as long as half a day to get the graphics precisely placed and with no bubbles. How do we do it? Well let’s just say you need the correct liquid solution, applied with a trigger spray by someone who has done this sort of thing for many, many years.
The graphics applied were not laminated – this would not provide the desired smooth finish with edges so fine you can hardly feel them. To give them that glossy finish – and to protect and seal them – a final layer of lacquer is applied over the panels.
Aiming as ever for a faithful restoration we left the tailpiece without lacquer to give it that characteristic matt look. It’s an important touch because now this flagship bike is truly restored to its former glory most other riders will only ever get to see the back as it cruises on past them.
We’re used to seeing a range of classic cars crossing the forecourt of our garage at White’s Bodyworks. We have a reputation for restoring and repairing all kinds of vintage vehicles and motorbikes.
This excellent looking Alvis was certainly a surprise for our experienced team. Restoring and repairing the paintwork of a classic car like this is a challenge. You need to use the right materials and ensure that it looks as pristine as if it had just rolled off the assembly line.
It takes attention to detail and the best equipment and huge amounts of skill.
More About the Alvis
The Alvis Car and Engineering Company were one of the earliest manufacturers in the UK, based Coventry and established in 1919. It was not just a company that produced civilian cars but also armoured vehicles and even aircraft engines.
Characterised by the long, heavy-looking bonnet, this was a distinctive car on the road and you can still see a few around the UK today. It’s a real collector's item that not only looks fantastic but is an exciting drive as well.
In the mid-60s the Alvis Car and Engineering Company were taken over as a subsidiary of Rover at which point car manufacture ceased completely.
Car Restoration in West Sussex
We’ve worked on the restoration and repair of many classic cars over the years and it’s something we’ve gained quite a big reputation for. We always work closely with car owners to ensure that we deliver exactly what they need.
A car restoration like this requires a good deal of expertise and knowledge as well as all the right equipment. Classic car owners rarely give their vehicle over to just any old garage or mechanic. At White’s Bodywork in West Sussex, we’re proud of our track record and the wide range of classic cars we can deal with.
If you are searching for an experienced classic car restoration team, contact White’s Bodyworks today to see how we can help on 01273 933633.
Restoration: the act of lovingly returning something to its pristine, original condition.
Desecration: the disrespectful or contemptuous treatment of a treasured possession or object.
Classic car restoration is, for us, all about love and respect – with a fair amount of oil, welding, blood, sweat and tears thrown in for good measure. Working on this Honda S800 really drove home just how badly a restoration job can go if it falls into the wrong hands.
We were given this S800 in an unfinished state and asked to complete the work that had been carried out on it to get this utterly irresistible sports car performing once more. The S800 is proof that great things can come in small packages but when we unwrapped our gift and took a look inside we found more evidence of desecration than restoration.
The work carried out on the bonsai supercar had actually done more harm than good. We quickly realised that we needed to rip it out and start again if this car was ever to match its pretty serious performance credentials and former stylish, sleek looks.
Let’s get back to basics then and start restoring.
Nothing is worse than seeing a classic car desecrated. And nothing is more satisfying than the sight of a classic car proudly driven from the workshops perfectly restored. Well, that is apart from driving that classic car yourself, of course.
In 2013, White’s Bodyworks had the exciting opportunity to be part of a project for the renowned TV show *Wheeler Dealers*, which was produced by Attaboy TV and aired on the Discovery Channel. This collaboration saw our team undertake a full restoration on a classic vehicle, showcasing our expertise in bodywork and painting.
The project began with *Wheeler Dealers* handling the initial strip-down of the car, removing all components except for the cab. Our team at White’s Bodyworks then took over, stripping the remaining structure down to bare metal to assess the full extent of the work required. Given the condition of the vehicle, we sourced and acquired all-new panels to ensure the restoration was done to the highest standard.
Once the new panels arrived, our expert fabricators got to work, carefully welding and fitting each piece into place. This process was meticulous, ensuring perfect alignment and structural integrity. After all the metalwork was completed, we moved on to the next crucial stage—the respray. Using our precision techniques and high-quality paint, we gave the car a flawless new finish, restoring it to its former glory.
With the respray complete and the bodywork looking as good as new, the vehicle was returned to *Wheeler Dealers* for the final fitting and assembly. Their team completed the mechanical and interior work, bringing the project to completion and ready for its television debut.
Being involved in *Wheeler Dealers* was a fantastic experience for White’s Bodyworks, allowing us to showcase our skills on a global platform. The restoration was a true testament to our dedication to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. We take pride in every project we undertake, and this one was certainly no exception!
We don’t often get a Lamborghini crossing our forecourt so we were pretty happy when this Countach came to us for restoration and repair. There’s something amazing about a high-powered sports car like this.
It’s a bit like being in the presence of vehicle royalty. If you own an expensive ride like this, of course, you want to make sure the garage you give it to knows what they are doing and has the best facilities around.
Our reputation for handling classic car renovations and restorations probably had a lot to do with this Lamborghini owner seeking us out to do the work.
More About the Lamborghini Countach
The Countach was a two-door coupe that first came off the production line in 1974. Over the next 16 years, just under 2,000 cars were produced, so you can imagine what a rare thing it was to see this particular vehicle rolling over our forecourt.
With a top speed of about 179 mph, you can quickly see what a powerhouse this car was and still is. It has a rear-mounted engine and the original prototype was built for the 1971 Geneva Motor Show.
Resprays and Renovations at White’s Bodyworks
Whether your classic car is a Lamborghini or not, White’s Bodyworks have a passion and expertise for each renovation, restoration and repair we carry out. The reason that people come to us from far and wide is because we’ve got a strong reputation for delivering in the vintage vehicle field.
Not only do we have great facilities and workshops, our team has an understanding and knowledge base that puts many other garages to shame.
If you are searching for a restoration and repair service you can truly count on, contact the team at White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex on 01273 933633.
If you’re a fan of 70s cop fiction, the Ford Escort MK1 will bring back some fond memories. It’s a car with a distinctive style and still looks great on the road today. If you managed to get hold of one of these vintage cars and it’s in need of some serious repairs, getting in touch with White’s Bodyworks should be your first step for a complete restoration.
The Ford Escort MK1
The first Mark 1 appeared around 1967 in the UK, replacing the much loved Anglia. The two door saloon became one of the most popular cars in the country between then and 1975 and was particularly noted for its cutting edge water temperature gauge and nifty cigar lighter – the height of in car tech at the time. It appealed to young buyers in the 70s, looked fairly sporty and came with a good fuel efficiency and reliable performance.
After over 40 years on the road, most Ford Escorts are going to need some serious care and attention at some point. This model was brought to us suffering several problems with the bodywork – there were a few dents to sort out, rust that had built over time and the whole car needed a respray.
