Car Restorations

Vintage and Classic Car Restorations

1974 Morgan Plus-8 Superlight 'resto-mod' project by Finch Restorations
1974 Morgan Plus-8 Superlight 'resto-mod' project by Finch Restorations

Finch Restorations, est. in 1965, has over 55 years of experience in restoring vintage and classic cars.

Our Finch Restorations staff are qualified and professional people, with both trade and professional engineering qualifications. We care about you and your vehicle.

We are a 'one-stop shop' with about 30 staff. In-house, we have panel-beaters, spray-painters, coachbuilders, timber-workers, metal-shapers, mechanics, engine-builders, motor-trimmers, auto-electricians, designers, scanners, engineers, project managers and parts-interpreters. 

We have the experience to support you with your restoration project whether it be for an heirloom, a collector's vehicle, a hobbiest, or a commercial vehicle.

At Finch, we utilise a system of nine major stages to describe and control the restoration process. From these, you can tailor the scope of how much of your car you want to have restored, and when.

 

1914 Hispano-Suiza Roadster Type 26 James Flood Sports Roadster won its class at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California
1914 Hispano-Suiza Roadster Type 26 James Flood Sports Roadster won its class at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California

 


Example 1: Full Ground-Up Car Restorations

Full ground-up restorations are for those who want to preserve a vehicle for posterity. Your car can be brought back as close as possible to the original manufacturer specifications. Or you might want to perform upgrades to improve reliability, comfort, or performance.

After disassembly, the car body and chassis, if applicable, are stripped of grime, paint, lead, and old fillers. They are then inspected for cracks, broken welds or rivets, and needed rust repairs. If not repaired, all of these issues can have a detrimental effect on vehicle longevity, handling, and safety. The bare body/chassis is also the ideal opportunity to check for straightness and to perform repairs. 

The body and each panel of your car is either replaced or repaired. The body is then rotisserie painted. The new paint system will use modern and durable primers and paints. This will ensure the chassis and cab will last for decades to come.


1929 Morris Cowley Tourer (Flatnose) restored by Finch Restorations
1929 Morris Cowley Tourer (Flatnose) restored by Finch Restorations - 'AFTER'

 

1929 Morris Cowley Tourer (Flatnose) 'Before'
1929 Morris Cowley Tourer (Flatnose) - 'Before'

 

All mechanical aspects of your classic car are inspected, replaced, or refurbished. Depending on the age of the vehicle, insulation on the wiring loom has likely degraded. For safety, a new wiring loom will be used to replace the old one.

Your car's interior door panels and cab ceiling will be relined or retained for the old patina at client's request. Old worn-out door window and weather seals are replaced, seats upholstered, the dashboard and instruments refurbished and more.

The result is a car to be handed from generation to generation.

Full ground-up restorations are the most expensive. They take the most time, effort and space to achieve.

Like an episode of 'Grand Designs', the intrusive nature of these restorations will reveal the deepest secrets of your car.

Optionally, a new or refurbished engine, or brake upgrades can be installed towards achieving more modern performance standards. You can also have the options of including air conditioning, heating, stereo, electric wipers, seat belts, and more.

1980 Holden WB Kingswood Ute restored by Finch Restorations
1980 Holden WB Kingswood Ute restored by Finch Restorations

 

Example 2: Body and Panel Painting

If you are a Do It Yourself (DIY) restorer, you might have already disassembled your car. You therefore may want Finch to just take specialist care of the rust affected areas, and subsequent painting of the body.

Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 body and paint by Finch Restorations
Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 body and paint by Finch Restorations

Example 3: Driving Chassis

Again, for the (DIY) restorer, you may want specialist restoration support for the chassis (if applicable), steering and suspension systems, and the driveline. For the mechanical systems, including the engine and transmission, the components will be inspected, refurbished or replaced, and painted as required.

 

Example 4: Assembly and Completion

Do you have an incomplete restoration in your garage that you know will never be completed?

We often received incomplete projects from clients, and completed the vehicle on behalf of the DIY owner. This can also be the case due to problems the client was having with a previous third-party workshop being used.

 

1962 Mini assembly and completion by Finch Restorations
1962 Mini assembly and completion by Finch Restorations

 

Example 5: Single System

If you are a DIY restorer, you might like to commssion us to undertake one or more single system refurbishments. Examples of single systems could include:

  • Motor Trimming including car seat repairs.
  • Brake system repairs or upgrade.
  • Engine and/or transmission upgrade.

 

1965 Ford Mustang engine by Finch Restorations
1965 Ford Mustang engine by Finch Restorations

 


 

Example scopes of work for Vintage and Classic Car Restorations

Ground Up Restoration

  • Stage 1A - Transport
  • Stage 1B - Receival
  • Stage 2 - Modifications
  • Stage 3 - Disassemble
  • Stage 4 - Paint Strip
  • Stage 5B - Body
  • Stage 5C - Chassis
  • Stage 5D - Drive Train
  • Stage 5E - Elec. Systems
  • Stage 5M - Mech. Fluid Sys
  • Stage 5O - Body Outfit
  • Stage 5X - Special Purpose
  • Stage 5F - Other Finishes
  • Stage 6 - Paint Body
  • Stage 7 - Sub Assemble
  • Stage 8 - Final Assembly
  • Stage 9A - Completion
  • Stage 9B - Delivery

Body - Panel & Paint

  • Optional
  • Stage 1B - Receival
  • -
  • -
  • Stage 4 - Paint Strip
  • Stage 5B - Body
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • Stage 6 - Paint Body
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • Optional

Driving Chassis

  • Optional
  • Stage 1B - Receival
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • Stage 5C - Chassis
  • Stage 5D - Drive Train
  • Stage 5E - Elec. Systems
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • Optional

Assembly and Completion

  • Optional
  • Stage 1B - Receival
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • -
  • Stage 7 - Sub Assemble
  • Stage 8 - Final Assembly
  • Stage 9A - Completion
  • Optional


 

Portfolio of Car Restoration Projects undertaken by Finch Restorations

Your Needs and Our Solutions

Everything you need to make your car new again is performed by qualified and professional people who care.
Explore the Benefits of using the professional services of Finch Restorations. Request a Free Consultation!

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Finch Restorations - Over 55 years in the Fine Art of Automobiles

Office

FINCH MOTOR COMPANY
Pty. Ltd. t/a Finch Restorations
ABN. 48 602 085 941

17 Oborn Road
Mount Barker, SA 5251
South Australia

Email: office@finchmc.com.au
Telephone: +61 (0)8 8398 2332

Mon to Fri: 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat to Sun: By Appointment

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