Hotels near The Romance of Rust

Now this really is a labour of love – when Rolls Royce trained engineer Lance McCormack set up shop on his own back in 1991, he wanted to offer classic car owners reasonable rates for restoring their darling automobiles.

It’s as much a passion as a business concern; Lance and his team are all fanatical car enthusiasts. Just to save classic cars from neglect or abandonment in dusty garages, they’re willing to take on all manner of projects, from small accident repair jobs to full restorations.

This eagerness is reflected in their attitude to customers: they actively encourage owners to venture beyond the sliding green doors of their workshop, to witness the restoration process firsthand.

Their expertise is comprehensive, spanning paintwork, woodwork, upholstery, chroming and body work. Recently the team have finished the restoration of an Aston Martin DB5 (James Bond’s chariot of choice) and the complete re-panelling of a wooden-framed 1925 Sunbeam Tourer. They’ve even gained recognition, helping out the team of Channel 4’s ‘Salvage Squad’.