Restoration logs

Week by week, the jobs on the bench.

Owner-facing notes from the shop floor. Photographs every Friday. Decisions talked through and written down before the work happens, not after.

Jobs on the go — 9· Photographed weekly· Leighton Buzzard· Honest & drivable
Jobs on the go
9
Years at it
40+
Cars worked on
Classic · American · Modern
Done by
Frank
From the bench

Latest logs.

Each entry numbered against the job, the stage, and the date it was shot.
Log № 073
1968 Ford Mustang 289 · Stage 06 · Brakes & road test

Brakes rebuilt end to end, then out for a proper shakedown.

After years sat, the whole braking system needed doing — cylinders, flexis, fluid, the lot. Bled through, bedded in, then a long road test to make sure it stops straight before it goes back to the owner.

04 May 26 · Read the full log →
Log № 072
1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 · Stage 04 · Engine

XK engine back together, triple SUs set up on the bench.

Low oil pressure and smoke meant the bottom end was tired. Rebuilt properly, new shells and seals, head sorted, then the triple SU carbs cleaned, rebuilt and balanced. Runs sweet and pulls cleanly.

28 Apr 26 · Read the full log →
Log № 074
1972 Dodge Charger · Stage 02 · Fuel & wiring

Old fuel drained, tank cleaned, dodgy wiring made safe.

Fourteen years parked left varnish in the tank and lines, and a few previous-owner wiring bodges. Tank out and cleaned, fresh lines and pump, and the worst of the loom put right before we trust it to run.

21 Apr 26 · Read the full log →
Log № 073
1968 Ford Mustang 289 · Stage 04 · Bodywork & paint

A few honest repairs to the sills, then made good.

No need to strip the whole car — just sort the rot that was there. Sills and a lower rear quarter cut out, fresh metal let in and welded, then primed and painted to blend so it looks right and lasts.

14 Apr 26 · Read the full log →
Log № 071
2003 BMW M3 (E46) · Stage 05 · Rolling road

Fast-road map dialled in honestly on the rolling road.

Fresh suspension and a breathe-easier intake, then time on the rolling road to map it for usable real-world poke. Numbers measured the same way each run — no flattering the dyno. Owner drove it away grinning.

07 Apr 26 · Read the full log →
Log № 070
2010 Range Rover TDV8 · Stage 03 · Diagnostics

Warning lights traced to the actual fault, not a guess.

Plugged in, read the codes, then proved the cause rather than throwing parts at it. Turned out to be a sensor and a tired connector. Fixed, cleared, road tested, and a full service while it was in.

31 Mar 26 · Read the full log →
On the floor

Currently in the shop.

Live build status, updated as each car moves between stages.
  • Build № 074 60%

    1972 Dodge Charger

    Stage 03 · Plan
  • Build № 075 25%

    1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

    Stage 02 · Strip & inspect
  • Build № 076 8%

    1969 Dodge Charger

    Stage 01 · Assessment
Booking now · classic, American & modern

Got a job for the bench?

Servicing, repairs and MOT, recommissioning, performance work or restoration. Tell Frank what you’re after and he’ll call you back himself.

Start a job Call Frank · 07925 875687
Frank’s Autos · Leighton Buzzard · 40+ years on the tools