Bodywork recommendation near London

[NJ1977]

Hi. i am a 280sl owner. i'm considering getting some bodywork done. any recommendations of workshops near London? what is approximate cost for getting it fully stripped back to baremetal and re-sprayed?

[JamesL]

Welcome aboard

I just had mine looked at by Colin Ferns (stickandrudderman on here) in Richmond. The paintshop is in Ashford (middx)

Very happy with the quality of the work and paint (not bare metal). naj also knows someone in SW london, IIRC. Then there'sn the usual suspects out in West Molesey

Have a search for Classic Preservation - DavidB (I think) stripped his own car but sent it there for bodywork and paint. he may be able to give you a steer on prices

[Wolfmann]

Lovegrove Garages in Basingstoke have an amazing bodyshop and specialise in W113's.
They did my car down to bare metal and the finish is perfect. You can see pictures on Flickr (user Von Wolfsburg)

They are also very keen on price. At present they have 6 W113's undergoing various degrees of restoration, a member called Gav went to meet them last week and said he was impressed with the set up. They have, historically dealt with Ferrari and Porsche repaints but lately they have started a Pagoda restoration facility. Nothing to do with Silchester and a very skilled bunch of guys.

The boss is Phil Carter and his mobile is 07778 283935.
If you want to have a chat with them say Steven the barrister mentioned them.

I have no link with them financially !!

[Larry & Norma]

That's interesting as Silchester used to be called 'Lovegrove Garage'

[Wolfmann]

Yes Larry, Phil used to own Lovegrove Garage and then sold it to Morris who I believe recently sold the Silchester business.

Phil likes the name so has re-used it.

S.

[Sleek Lemur]

Lance of "Romance of Rust" in Ealing is doing quite a lot of fabricating around lower body on my car and the work is exceptional. I bought the car from Silver Arrows four years ago and am basicallyhaving to have all the work they had done re-done by Lance after it all bubbled up . The difference in the quality of the work is quite startling! If you're interested I can give you a link to the flickr page he set up for photos. Very pleased thus far, though haven't seen the painwork yet.

[Larry & Norma]

Sleek, would very much like to see that link.

[Sleek Lemur]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/romanceofrust/sets/72157628351503171/

Gnuface, hope this works.

[Sleek Lemur]

You can see the crappy old repairs revealed and the fabrication work done for the new. Nice chap as well !

[Larry & Norma]

Thanks for posting this, it is always good to see what a craftsman can do
I am a little surprised that 'Silverarrows' did such a bodge job!

[Wolfmann]

Here is a 280sl that I photographed at Lovegrove whilst visiting my car. After and Before.

S.

[Larry & Norma]

Steve that's the stuff of nightmares :'(

They have done a tidy job.

[Wolfmann]

Larry,

It certainly was a nightmare, really rotten with no boot floor left to speak of and lower rear wings like lace curtains !

It is now painted midnight blue (MB 904) and is rapidly becoming a dream for someone (albeit a long one !!)

S.