Classic Car Service
AKA 'Grandad's Pride' — Carbs, points, and no computers. The way things were.
Own a classic? We service and repair older vehicles with the care they deserve. Points, carbs, and proper mechanical components - no computer required.
See our upfront pricingQuick Facts
What's This All About Then?
Classic cars are special. They're mechanical, they're characterful, and they require someone who actually understands how they work (as opposed to plugging in a diagnostic tool and waiting for answers). Carburetors, distributors, points, condensers, dynamos - we know our way around the old school stuff. Whether it's a 60s British classic, a 70s muscle car, or an 80s icon, we can service, tune, and repair it properly. We won't tell you to 'just buy a new car' - we'll help you keep the one you love on the road.
How it works
Older cars are refreshingly analogue, and that's the skill. Instead of a diagnostic scan, we set up the ignition and fuelling by ear and by gauge: cleaning and gapping contact-breaker points, checking and setting dwell and timing, balancing and tuning carburettors, and adjusting the mixture. We grease the points a modern car doesn't have — literally, the grease nipples on the suspension and steering that need regular attention. We check the cooling system (classics run hot and hate neglect), fan belts, brakes (often drums, sometimes with no servo), fluid levels, and look hard for the corrosion and perished rubber that time brings. We use the correct oils and settings for the era — many older engines want a higher-zinc oil their flat-tappet camshafts depend on. It's slower, more hands-on work, done sympathetically to keep the car original and running sweetly.
Warning signs to watch for
- •The car's been sitting over winter and needs waking up gently
- •Running rough, hard to start, or won't idle smoothly
- •It's due its annual service and grease-up regardless of low mileage
- •You've just bought it and want a knowledgeable once-over
- •Brakes feel spongy or the cooling system runs hot
- •You want it kept original, not “modernised” or bodged
Common causes
What we do
We look after older cars the old way — by hand, by ear, and with respect for keeping them original. Timing, points, carbs, greasing, the correct period oils: the things a computer can't do and a fast-fit garage won't. We'll tell you honestly what needs attention and what's just charming character. And because dragging a temperamental classic to a garage is exactly when they let you down, we come to you — service and fettling on your own driveway.
Classic Car Service — FAQs
Do you need to plug a computer into my classic?
No — and that's the point. Pre-electronic cars have no engine ECU to read. We tune them the way they were designed to be tuned: setting the points and ignition timing, balancing and adjusting the carburettors, and listening to the engine. It's a different skill from modern diagnostics, and it's the one older cars actually need.
Does my classic still need regular servicing if I barely drive it?
Yes, arguably more so. Standing does its own damage — oil degrades, seals dry and perish, brakes seize, fuel goes stale, and corrosion spreads unseen. An annual service, grease-up and fluid change keeps a low-mileage classic healthy far better than leaving it untouched between the odd summer outing.
Will you keep it original?
That's our default. We use period-correct oils and settings, keep the car mechanically as intended, and won't bodge in modern parts unless you specifically want an upgrade. If something's just age-related character rather than a fault, we'll say so rather than “fix” what isn't broken. Originality tends to matter for classics, and value.
What You Actually Get
Common Classic Car Service Faults We Fix
Random Knowledge You Didn't Ask For
Classic cars are often easier to work on than modern ones. Fewer computers, more spanners.
A well-maintained classic can be more reliable than a neglected modern car. Treat them right.
Why Get Your Classic Car Service Done By Us?
We're Quick
Fast response, efficient work. No dragging things out.
We Come To You
Your driveway, your office, wherever. We travel.
We Guarantee It
If we mess up, we fix it. Simple as that.