One accountable team
Choose Auto RARA when the car needs coordinated decisions across body, paint, engineering, electrics, trim and final assembly—not a chain of disconnected suppliers.
Classic Car Restoration
Award-winning classic car restoration specialists in Derby, serving clients across the UK. Complete in-house builds, project management and live updates.
All disciplines in-house · Live build diaries · UK transport · Build Book
Start Your Restoration
Award-winning classic car restoration, delivered entirely in-house.
Based in Derby, Auto RARA delivers award-winning classic car restoration through one integrated in-house team. Fabrication, paint, mechanical engineering, electrical work, interior trim and final assembly are planned as a single programme, giving every project consistent technical direction and quality control.
Every restoration begins with a clear assessment and agreed scope. Covered UK transport, structured project management, direct communication and photographic Build Diaries keep owners connected with the work and the decisions behind it.
As Concours of Elegance winners, and specialists featured in evo, Classic & Sports Car and Octane, we combine traditional craftsmanship with transparent modern project delivery.
Start with a Classic Car Assessment
Every successful restoration begins with clarity. Our non-invasive Classic Car Assessment establishes the car's condition, the owner's priorities and the most appropriate programme before major work is authorised. The result is an evidence-led roadmap covering scope, sequence, risks and next decisions.
Follow the Restoration Journey
Restoration at Auto RARA is a shared, documented process. Our craftspeople, engineers, technicians and project managers work with the owner through fabrication, paint, mechanical, electrical, trim and final assembly. Live updates, milestone reviews and photographic Build Diaries explain both the progress and the decisions that create the car's provenance.
Classic Car Restoration Build Book
The Auto RARA Build Book is a handcrafted, leather-bound record of the completed restoration. It brings together the car's history, the agreed programme, key decisions, photography and the work of the people behind the build—creating a permanent record to accompany the vehicle.
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01 · The restoration programme
A restoration programme built around the car
No two classic cars arrive with the same history, condition or intended use. We define each restoration around evidence: what should be preserved, what requires intervention and what the owner wants the finished car to become.
Proportionate intervention
The programme is shaped around the vehicle. Sound, original and historically important material is retained wherever the evidence supports it.
Visible progress
Direct communication, milestone reviews and photographic Build Diaries keep the owner involved in both progress and key decisions.
02 · Assessment and scope
Clarity before commitment
Every successful restoration begins with a non-invasive Classic Car Assessment. It establishes the vehicle’s condition, the owner’s priorities and the most appropriate programme before major work is authorised.
- Documented condition and photographic evidence
- Known risks, priorities and dependencies
- A practical roadmap for scope and next decisions
03 · Restoration routes
The right level of intervention
The assessment determines which route is appropriate. Each route is managed with the same planning, documentation and in-house quality control.
Targeted intervention
Defined work that resolves genuine needs while deliberately retaining sound original or historically significant material elsewhere.
A complete programme
Ground-up disassembly and coordinated restoration of the car as a complete system, from structure and bodywork through to commissioning.
Identity and stewardship
A comprehensive build shaped around authenticity, presentation, provenance and the vehicle’s long-term place in a collection.
04 · Communication and provenance
See what is happening—and why
Restoration at Auto RARA is a shared, documented process. Owners remain connected to the work, discoveries and decisions throughout the programme.
During the build
Live Build Diary
Photographic updates and technician reports explain completed work, discoveries and upcoming decisions.
View Build Diaries
At completion
The Build Book
A handcrafted, leather-bound record bringing together the car’s history, key decisions, photography and the people behind the restoration.
View the Build Book05 · In-house disciplines
One team across every discipline
Bringing the core work together in Derby reduces hand-off risk and gives the project manager a complete view of quality, sequence and dependencies.
01Fabrication and structural repair02Paint preparation, finishing and LustraX03Mechanical and electrical work04Interior trim and upholstery
05Engine and gearbox building
06Final assembly, commissioning and road testing
06 · The process
From assessment to completion
- 01
Assessment
Document condition, intended use, priorities and constraints.
- 02
Programme definition
Agree the appropriate restoration route and initial scope.
- 03
Stripdown and investigation
Expose the true condition and confirm the working programme.
- 04
Structure and body
Restore integrity and accurate panel fit before cosmetic work begins.
- 05
Specialist disciplines
Coordinate paint, mechanical, electrical and trim work in sequence.
- 06
Assembly and commissioning
Test, refine, document and prepare the completed vehicle for handover.
07 · Selected restoration evidence
Three programmes. Three real projects.
Build 012 · Selective Restoration · Completed
1974 Ford Granada Coupé
Targeted intervention protecting sound original material while resolving the areas that genuinely required restoration.
Build 015 · Full Restoration · In progress
Lamborghini Murciélago
A complete ground-up programme bringing body, paint, mechanical, electrical and trim work together under one plan.
Build 001 · Collector Commission · Completed
Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI
A comprehensive, identity-led build that won the 2025 Classic Car Restoration Showcase Award at the Concours of Elegance.
08 · Verified proof
Evidence behind the promise
Concours recognition
The Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI won the 2025 Classic Car Restoration Showcase Award at the Concours of Elegance.
Read the award storyIndependent media
Auto RARA’s work has been featured by evo, Classic & Sports Car and Octane.
Read the specialist featureAn inspectable journey
Project pages, milestone reviews and photographic Build Diaries let owners examine the work rather than rely on unsupported claims.
Explore the evidence09 · Derby workshop · UK coverage
One Derby base. Projects from across the UK.
Restoration programmes are managed from Griffon Court, Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Covered vehicle transport supports owners across the UK, while international projects can be considered individually.
Griffon Court
Ilkeston, Derbyshire
DE7 4RF, United Kingdom
10 · Useful questions
Classic car restoration FAQs
How does a restoration begin?
It begins with a Classic Car Assessment. This establishes the vehicle’s condition, the owner’s objectives and an appropriate direction before a major commitment is made.
What is the difference between full and selective restoration?
A full restoration addresses the vehicle as a complete system and may involve ground-up disassembly. A selective restoration concentrates on defined areas while retaining sound, original or historically important material elsewhere. The assessment determines which approach is proportionate.
Can I see progress during the build?
Yes. Direct communication, milestone reviews and photographic Build Diaries show what has been completed, explain discoveries and support informed decisions.
Do you work with cars from outside Derby?
Yes. The Derby facility serves owners across the UK, supported by covered vehicle transport. International projects can be considered individually.
11 · Begin with clarity
Define the right restoration programme for your car
If you are considering a classic car restoration, start by understanding the vehicle and agreeing the right route. Tell us about the car and the outcome you have in mind; suitable enquiries will be progressed towards a call with Andy.
