Renault have probably been more closely associated in recent years with family cars but they’ve actually delved into the world of sporting vehicles in the past on quite a few occasions. The Caravelle is quintessentially French, from the sleek design through to the engine in the boot it oozes Gaelic charm.
This brilliant two-seater came to us not so long ago for a respray and some restoration work.
Originally called the Floride, the car first hit the Paris Motor Show in 1958. The company was looking for a sporting model to rival the Volkswagen Beetle that was then coming from America. Hardtop and soft top models of the Caravelle were produced and it was a car that continued to evolve over the years with later versions coming with improvements in suspension.
The car was produced up until the summer of 1968 when it came under pressure from other lower-cost sports models, particularly from manufacturing regions like Italy.
Cars that have an engine in the rear are fairly exceptional nowadays and we don’t see many of them at White’s Bodyworks. It was actually quite a popular design choice right up until the 80s when front engines became more the norm.
This Renault Caravelle was in reasonably good condition considering that it was getting on for 50 years old. The owner chose us because we have a fully equipped respray facility and have a track record of delivering for vintage cars of all types.
The first step was to reduce the car to just it’s body, carry out any repairs and preparing it for the respray. Preparation is the key part to any new body paintwork. Small defects can become suddenly magnified if they are not spotted and rectified at this stage – it’s vital to work from a smooth surface if you want everything to look just right and to be durable and last.
If you own a vintage car and need a new paint job to bring it back to life, contact the team at White’s Bodyworks today on 01273 933633.
Really rare cars only come along once a blue moon and this Innocenti Spider certainly grabbed our attention. At White’s Bodyworks, we’ve worked hard over the last few decades to build a reputation for being one of the top vintage car restoration garages in the UK.
If you’re a mod, you’ll probably know the Innocenti brand because it produced the iconic Lambretta scooter way back in the days of The Who. It was hoped this diminutive but power-packed sports car would be just as popular when it was produced around the same time.
The Innocenti Spider was manufactured between 1961 and 1968 and sold well in Italy when it first came out. Abroad, however, it found too much competition with other similar cars and was never a big seller in places like the UK. The company tried switching to a coupe design but even this failed to ignite the market over the long run.
It’s, therefore, a fairly rare car to find nowadays and we were surprised to see it at our workshop in Sussex. It’s not a bad looking sports car and is typical of the kinds of designs that were around in the late 50s and through the 60s.
As with many vintage cars, working on the Spider involved using a range of modern and not so modern techniques. Replacing damaged infrastructure is always a big challenge and it’s important for our team to work with the owners and other experts when repairing areas like this.
There’s no doubt that the repairs on this Innocenti Spider took time and a good deal of love, care and attention. That’s where White’s Bodyworks has an advantage over other garages. We’re vintage car enthusiasts and we relish the challenge of bringing an old vehicle back to live again.
If you have a classic car, whatever condition it’s in, and need a reliable garage that is experienced and has a great reputation in the UK, contact the team at White’s Bodyworks today on 01273 933633.
If you’re a fan of classic cars and you’re looking to restore one, the Triumph Vitesse MK2 is a pretty good choice. We love this car and were glad to see it at our garage in West Sussex.
The team at White’s Bodyworks have helped restore and respray a wide number of classic cars and bikes over the years. As a family-owned business, we’re proud of our reputation in this area and people come from all across the UK to use our services.
This Triumph Vitesse MK2 came in for some fairly intensive restoration and repairs followed by an all-over respray before it was ready to get back on the road.
More About the Triumph Vitesse MK2
Triumph was a long-standing automotive brand that produced a wide range of family and sports cars, particularly during the 60s and 70s. It was a staple on British roads and is one of the most popular makes among classic car enthusiasts.
The original Vitesse was designed by Giovanni Michelotti and it first came off the production line in 1962. More than 50,000 were built, up until it stopped being made in 1971. The MK2 came out in 1968 and was capable of going from 0 to 70 in 15 seconds which was quite impressive at the time.
Our Work on the Triumph Vitesse MK2
There was plenty that needed doing on this classic car at our garage in West Sussex. White’s Bodyworks, of course, has a fully equipped garage that can handle all restoration, repairs and resprays. We’re the perfect one-stop-shop for all your classic car needs.
Repairs to the bodywork were carried out first as there were signs of rust and various dents that needed to be straightened out. Then it was all about prepping this classic car for a full respray so that it looked as good as new.
If you own a classic car or are thinking of buying one and need a reliable and experienced garage, contact the team at White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex on 01273 933633.
There are a few cars that make our restoration team purr with delight. We’re talking about a bona fide classic here, the type of vehicle you see out on the road and it immediately brings a smile to your face. The Jensen Interceptor that we had in our bodyworks shop recently is a prime example.
Sleek, sporty and with that 60s/70s feel to it, the Interceptor is a fairly rare classic on the road nowadays. While you can pick up a bargain in need of renovation for under £2,000, finding the replacement parts can be an issue.
It’s throaty V8 engine meant it was pretty advanced back in the day and it was certainly popular with plenty of TV and film stars including Tony Curtis and comedy great Eric Morecombe. Handmade in Birmingham, for ten years the Interceptor was seen as halfway between the Jag and the Aston DB6, a car that made a big statement but wasn’t overpriced.
This particular mean machine came to us for a renovating paint job and a bit of repair work for dings and dents. By the time we’d finished, the car looked as though it had just come off the assembly line.
About the Car
Jensen was a specialist car manufacturer that operated out of Birmingham and had been producing cars since the late 40s. It wasn’t until 1966, however, that this incarnation of the Interceptor came onto the market with a design that made it look more like a sportscar than a family saloon. Powered by a 6.3 V8 engine, it had plenty of kick for the not inconsiderable £3,700 price tag.
The car was also innovative for its time, incorporating the Ferguson Formula four wheel drive technology. While it was seen as cutting edge, the FF was not without it’s problems and suffered from reliability issues, meaning it was all but abandoned by 1971. Future models were given quirky gimmicks to help them sell. In one version a built-in typewriter was installed in the glove compartment and the later models were some of the first cars to include a radio telephone.
One of the big problems with the Jensen Interceptor was its thirst for petrol. In truth, it was never the most economical car on the market. Some say that the energy crisis after war in the Middle East was the big nail in the company’s coffin and the car went out of production in 1976, only producing spare parts after that.
It’s one of the more agile classic cars you can hope to drive and when you sit down behind the wheel you know you’re in a vehicle with a whole bunch of style. The fact that the cars were handmade means they’re a vintage vehicle enthusiast’s dream though they are a lot rarer than models from the same era and original parts can be hard to source.
Our Restoration Work
As with any paint job on any car, preparation is key. The first thing we needed to do with the Jensen Interceptor was make sure that we got rid of any little dings and dents and repaired the areas that needed it. Our next job was to match up the paint properly so we could return the car to its original stratosphere blue.
The end result was a car that looked as if it had just come out of the Jensen factory, ready to hit the road. At White’s Bodyworks, we take pride in using the latest spray paint technology and techniques to ensure your car gets the professional finish you are looking for.
Contact our team today on 01273 933633 for a quote.
Who doesn’t love an MGB? It’s certainly most people’s idea of a great classic car. Whenever we get an MGB in the garage, it’s usually an opportunity for the whole team to gather around and take a good look. This 1969 Roadster was no exception.
Needing some restoration and a respray is one thing. At White’s Bodyworks, we know how much these vintage vehicles mean to their owners. Most aren’t simply looking to sell on for a profit, they have bought the car because they really want to drive it on the road and appreciate it.
Getting their car ready is our team’s job and we’re pretty good at it.
More About the 1969 MGB Roadster
The Roadster was originally introduced in 1962 and quickly became the sporting choice for many young motorists. Made popular by TV series like The Saint, it was a uniquely European sports vehicle with a lot of power. Perhaps not the most comfortable ride, it remains today one of the first choices when people are starting to explore the world of vintage vehicles.
What White’s Bodywork Did
What we pride ourselves in at White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex is that we work with all owners to makes sure their expectations are being delivered on. We’ve got a lot of experience renovating, restoring and repairing classic cars such as this and that’s one reason why people come to us from all over the country.
Repairs to bodywork need to be carried out meticulously and we always have to be aware that we are working on someone’s most valued possession.
If you own a classic car and it requires renovation, repair or a respray, contact the team at White’s Bodyworks today on 01273 933633.
The name Bentley has been synonymous with class ever since the first car came off the assembly line in 1919. For more than 50 years the company was owned by Rolls Royce before more recently being handed over to Volkswagen. It remains one of the most iconic cars you’re likely to see on British roads today.
This Bentley Mulsanne S came to our garage in West Sussex for restoration and a respray recently. It’s a car that exudes luxury, from the moment you see it on the forecourt and then sit behind the wheel. It’s also the kind of vintage vehicle that we’re used to dealing with at White’s Bodyworks.
More About the Bentley Mulsanne S
Bentley Mulsanne's came off the production line between 1980 and 1992 and were full-size luxury sedans. If you were the kind of executive who needed to get on with some work while being driven to your next appointment, this car was the height of luxury.
What We Did at White’s Bodyworks
Dealing with a luxury car like this isn’t just about the care and attention to detail that we provide at our garage. It’s about the integrity of the car itself and making sure any restoration and repair, as well as the respray, is carried out to the highest standards.
That’s why many people with classic cars choose White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex and come to us again and again. If you have a vintage vehicle, call the team that has the high level of experience and the reputation you’re looking for.
Contact White’s Bodyworks on 01273 933633.
We love a challenge or two at White’s Bodyworks and this 1900 De Dion Voiturette certainly exercised our expertise and knowledge of all things vehicular and mechanical.
The good news is our team is always open to the challenge and this is one we really couldn’t resist.
The 1900 De Dion Voiturette is a classic in more ways than one. If you want to see what the first cars on the road looked like, then this is the type of vehicle you would have seen at the turn of the 20th century in towns and cities around Britain and Europe.
De Dion-Bouton was one of the first vehicle manufacturers, a French firm that was created in 1881 and continued to make cars right up until the end of the 1950s. With a single-cylinder engine and just two gears, the Voiturette wasn’t the fastest car on the market at the time and there were never that many of them built, but it certainly had a lot of style.
At White’s, we’re able to bring modern methods to help restore all classic cars, including really old ones. Our fully equipped garage is matched by a team who really understand what it means to bring a vintage vehicle back to life.
The 1900 De Dion Voiturette is probably the oldest vehicle that we’ve had in our workshop but, over the years, we certainly dealt with a whole host of classics.
Over the last few decades, we’ve developed a pretty good reputation for carrying out repairs and refurbishments for classic cars. When a vintage car owner comes to us, they’re really looking for someone who cares as much as they do.
Finding a skilled team who know what they are doing is important, of course. Repairing a vintage car can often mean sourcing rare parts or even fashioning new ones from scratch. Not only does the car need to be roadworthy, it needs to be repaired in the spirit of the time it came from.
If you are a classic car owner and require either repairs, servicing or other work carried out on your vehicle contact the team at White’s Bodyworks on 01273 933633.
Mercedes is synonymous with precision engineering but that doesn’t mean wear and tear doesn’t take the its toll. This 300SE Fintail is a remarkable car but it had seen some better days when it came to our garage in West Sussex recently.
This is the kind of vintage vehicle restoration that our garage team at White’s Bodyworks actually revel in. We’ve had hundreds of classic cars come through our forecourt over the last few decades and our knowledge and experience is one reason why people come to us again and again.
Our classic car restoration, repair and respray service means that your vintage vehicle will soon be leaving us and will be looking as good as new. This 1964 Mercedes 300SE Fintail was no exception and one which we were proud to have worked on.
More About the 1964 Mercedes 300SE Fintail
Mercedes Benz were probably the luxury car of the 60s. Produced by German precision engineering, the cars looked substantial and were built to last. That’s a testament to the Fintail because it reached us in the last year needing renovation after nearly 50 years on the road.
What We Did at White’s Bodyworks
When it comes to repairing or helping restore a classic car, it’s all about having the right approach and the proper equipment. Modern methods may not be entirely appropriate which is why we always work closely with the vintage car owner to makes sure expectations are being met.
There was a lot of work needed on this car, not least because it is more than 50 years old. That’s a lot of time spent on the road and a fair amount of rust and damage that has gathered over time.
If you have a classic car and want it repaired or restored, contact the team at White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex today on 01273 933633.
Bodywork and paintwork Restoration in progress
It’s not all about repairs and restorations when we take in classic cars at White’s Bodyworks. Sometimes the vehicle just needs a vintage vehicle respray to get it looking good again. That was the case with this 1967 Mercedes SL280.
Mercedes, of course, is a classy brand of vehicle and one that we see a lot of on our roads. Back in the 60s and 70s, however, it was the luxury car and the one that all successful people drove if they didn’t like the alternative Rolls Royce brand.
This soft-top car was actually a joy to see in our workshop. We usually associate the older Mercedes with more substantial body designs. This two-seat sports vehicle, however, looks more like the MGB than a traditional Mercedes and certainly had a racy feel to it.
More About the 1967 Mercedes SL280
You won’t find too many of these cars still on British roads but their classic sport design is certainly one that gets collectors going. It’s probably one of the more valuable classic cars on the market and if you can get your hands on one for renovation or restoration, despite the work that may need carrying out, the return on investment can be worth it.
Respraying at White’s Bodyworks
The key to carrying out a great respray, whether it’s for a modern car or a classic, is doing the prep work properly. In this case, it means ensuring there are no dings or dents and that the surface is smooth and ready for the paint.
Fortunately, at White’s Bodyworks in West Sussex, we have a fully equipped vehicle respray workshop that can handle any job and an expert team on hand to make sure the results are exceptional. We have to say this vehicle was in great condition and had been well looked after by its owner.
If you are searching for a respray for your vintage vehicle, contact the team at White’s Bodyworks today to find out how can help. Just call us on 01273 933633.
