Coachbuilding: A Lagonda M45 T5 Drophead Tourer

Brasswork & Parts: Aston Martin DB2 grilles & other parts

Panelling: Handmade Austin Healey 3000 Polished Gearbox Covers

Coachwork: A Bentley Beatleback 3/8 Special

Panel Repairs: Precise shapes and panelwork on a Healey Abbott

Chris Rea’s Ferrari 250 TRI61 Le Mans ‘Replica’ for La Passione

Coachwork Specials: The Lagonda V12 Le Mans “Gunville Special”

Parts: Handmade Aston Martin DB2 rear light plinths

Louvres, Framework and Panelling: The 1919 Indianapolis Ballot

Custom Works: Handmade Bentley Twin Turbo manifolds

New Body Skins: A new Lagonda M45 steel body skin

Copperwork: A reconstructed genuine antique copper bath

Latest News & Updates

We are specialist panelmakers, coachbuilders and custom part fabricators with over 55 years of experience. We make and repair metal panelling and parts predominantly on vintage cars. We have produced bodywork for an extensive range of exclusive marques including Bentley, Ferrari, Lagonda and Aston Martin and have styled some of the worlds most famous cars.

Our skills have also meant we have attracted work from other sectors such as antique repairs, restorations and reconstructions; artwork, sculpture, copperwork and custom metalwork within the home such as fine furniture, kitchen worktops and hoods.

Vintage & Classic Car Panelling, Coachbuilding & Bodywork

Don Standhaft wheeling on the English Wheel

We specialise in accurately fabricating and repairing vintage and classic car panels and bodywork parts. Working from an idea, drawings or original panelling let us create or restore your designs or historic vehicle. Using traditional coachbuliding and panel beating methods, honed skills and years of experience we are an essential part in your project whether that’s a set of wings or fenders, a new or repaired body skin, panels, a prototype, vintage or classic car restorations, a replica or even a beautiful concours example.

Rust and corrosion, accident damage, the discovery of poor workmanship in the vehicle’s history or plain old wear and tear can all require specialist attention. Whether it’s a small weld, sections that need to be replaced or just minor repairs, we can help you. Once the panels have been fully paint stripped back to bare metal we can quickly assess whether it’s wiser to undertake repairs or to have new panels constructed. Sometimes our clients want to retain as much of the originality and patina as possible, so whatever your brief we’ll be able help and advise.

Many of our vintage car commissions require us to fabricate new body skins typically onto ash or metal frames. Bespoke panelmaking with aluminium and steel is our speciality. We craft the finest bodywork from complex shapes to elegant double curvature sweeping designs.

  • Vintage & classic car bodywork repairs
  • Aluminium & steel body skins
  • Bodywork parts in small batches
  • Wings/fenders, door skins, valances etc
  • All new bespoke panelwork
  • Prototypes & conceptual panelmaking
  • Bracketry
  • Car body framework
  • Louvres
  • Lead, brass, copper & zincwork
  • Stainless steel
  • Antique reconstructions and repairs
  • … and more

Search our extensive photo archive and discover what we’ve produced over the last three decades or so. We update this section of the website most often so check out our news feed for all our latest photo updates.

Having undertaken hundreds of individual projects we’ve picked out a selection to tell you about. Why not find out about Chris Rea’s Ferrari 250 TRi61 Le Mans build for the film La Passione or the five Lagonda V12 Le Mans including the uniquely styled Gunville Special.

  • "We liked the two front fender mouldings that your company made for our [1952 Drophead]… Read more"
    George Bowers (Reliance Tool & Mfg), www.reliancetool.com
  • "G’day Don, I look back on the time I spent with you on Wednesdays in… Read more"
    Matt Philip
  • "I contacted Don Standhaft after seeing one of his Austin Healey 3000 polished aluminium gearbox… Read more"
    Mark Cooke (Mark Cooke Racing), markcookeracing.org
  • "Don Standhaft is a serious and skilful man. I would have no hesitation in recommending… Read more"
    Roger Forshaw (Aston Service Dorset, Director), www.astonservicedorset.com
  • "We have enjoyed a harmonious working relationship, he has carried out our and the customers… Read more"
    John Vickery (McKenzie Guppy, Director), www.mckenzieguppy.co.uk
 

Enquiries Welcome

Contact us for professional services and project discussions.

07884 298645 Don
07766 652756 Mark
Send us an Email
Latest news updates