01420 564343

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Classic Car Restoration & Maintenance

Bill Rawles Classic Cars

Where it all began

Born from a love of classic cars

Bill Rawles started his first classic car restoration business over 30 years ago from his workshop in the south of England, specialising in Austin-Healeys and establishing the Rawles family name and reputation around the world.

Bill sold his first business in 2007 to set up Bill Rawles Classic Cars Ltd, a family venture with sons Charlie and Jack, specialising in all makes of classic car. With Bill firmly at the helm with his wealth of experience and knowledge, Bill Rawles Classic Cars has grown to cover all aspects of classic car restoration, maintenance and sales with quality control and attention to detail of the upmost importance. Bill has been involved in historic motorsport for over 20 years and has campaigned his Austin-Healey 3000 to many podium places. Race and rally preparation, event support and transportation are a growing part of our business.

About

Classic Car Services

We offer a full restoration service on all types of classic car, specialising in Austin-Healey.

Experts in classic car servicing

Servicing your car is an integral part of maintenance and reliability, and as a standard we will check all the critical safety factors such as chassis, brakes, tyres, fluid levels and electronics are working as they should, before another year of happy motoring. Whilst an MOT is not mandatory for some classic cars, our safety check should not be a substitute. We recommend testing the car annually and some insurance companies may require a valid MOT, which we can also provide if desired/required.

Choose an option to suit your needs, from a levels service to a full service or a pre-MOT inspection and an MOT.

Motorsport

Race proven performance, reliably first

With over 30 years of Austin-Healey competition experience, our race Healeys are built to perform, but, more importantly, to finish. From sprint racing to the Spa 6 Hours, we have tried, tested and developed components so you don't have to.

Motorsport
Wiring... 

It is easy to consider vehicle maintenance as only mechanical work, such as servicing, level checks and repairs but when was the last time you checked the condition of your wiring and electrical components? 

This could be the greatest risk to your vehicle, not only reliability but also great potential for fire too. We were fortunate to find this main battery cable before it was too late. the protective outer layer has almost completely deteriorated and could have been the cause of a dead short. 

Maybe something for you to add to the list for the winter when tinkering at home. 

If you need any help, you know where we are. From full re-wire to isolated electrical issues, we are always happy to help. 
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 #classiccarrestorations #austinhealey100 #healey3000 #classiccar #britishsportscar #austinhealey #bighealey #workshop

Wiring...

It is easy to consider vehicle maintenance as only mechanical work, such as servicing, level checks and repairs but when was the last time you checked the condition of your wiring and electrical components?

This could be the greatest risk to your vehicle, not only reliability but also great potential for fire too. We were fortunate to find this main battery cable before it was too late. the protective outer layer has almost completely deteriorated and could have been the cause of a dead short.

Maybe something for you to add to the list for the winter when tinkering at home.

If you need any help, you know where we are. From full re-wire to isolated electrical issues, we are always happy to help.
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#classiccarrestorations #austinhealey100 #healey3000 #classiccar #britishsportscar #austinhealey #bighealey #workshop
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8 0
Customer states, “loud shrew’ing noise on start up”. 

Surely there’s a caption competition here somewhere!? 

Recommissioning old cars is always interesting.

The Daimler featured last week is undergoing some preliminary checks before we advise the customer on next steps. The hope of getting this car running looks like it will be a little more involved than cleaning up the contacts and a fresh set of plugs…
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#daimler #classiccarrestorations #carsofinstagram

Customer states, “loud shrew’ing noise on start up”.

Surely there’s a caption competition here somewhere!?

Recommissioning old cars is always interesting.

The Daimler featured last week is undergoing some preliminary checks before we advise the customer on next steps. The hope of getting this car running looks like it will be a little more involved than cleaning up the contacts and a fresh set of plugs…
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#daimler #classiccarrestorations #carsofinstagram
...

43 3
A great photo of a late September European road trip for a BRCC customer. We had this car in the workshop during August to repair some issues with the clutch and gearbox, it was decided that whilst the gearbox was out, it was a good opportunity to rebuild as it has some issues with a noisy first gear, (usually a worn lay shaft), and would occasionally jump out of 4th gear. 

We strip and inspect the gearbox, providing a list of required work and estimations. 

Here's what the customer had to say; "It is hard to believe we’ve been back from France for over a week now. We had a great time despite the rain, covering over 450 miles, more importantly, I was so impressed with the refurbished gearbox, clutch and OD. The gear changes were slick and smooth, unlike before, trying to hunt the gear.

Finally, many, many thanks to all those at BRCC involved with the recent overhaul. Excellent result."

Using your car on long trips and overseas can be a really rewarding experience. Now is a good time to start planning those trips for 2025 and consider some of the annual maintenance and other repairs you might need to complete to ensure it is a successful trip. 

We also have a recommended spares package for all BRCC customers, if you are heading out on a road trip, please ask for this list, we would be happy to share it.
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 #classiccar #billrawlesclassiccars #workshop #classiccarrestoration #bighealey #healey100 #healey3000 #britishsportscar #austinhealey100 #austinhealey

A great photo of a late September European road trip for a BRCC customer. We had this car in the workshop during August to repair some issues with the clutch and gearbox, it was decided that whilst the gearbox was out, it was a good opportunity to rebuild as it has some issues with a noisy first gear, (usually a worn lay shaft), and would occasionally jump out of 4th gear.

We strip and inspect the gearbox, providing a list of required work and estimations.

Here`s what the customer had to say; "It is hard to believe we’ve been back from France for over a week now. We had a great time despite the rain, covering over 450 miles, more importantly, I was so impressed with the refurbished gearbox, clutch and OD. The gear changes were slick and smooth, unlike before, trying to hunt the gear.

Finally, many, many thanks to all those at BRCC involved with the recent overhaul. Excellent result."

Using your car on long trips and overseas can be a really rewarding experience. Now is a good time to start planning those trips for 2025 and consider some of the annual maintenance and other repairs you might need to complete to ensure it is a successful trip.

We also have a recommended spares package for all BRCC customers, if you are heading out on a road trip, please ask for this list, we would be happy to share it.
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#classiccar #billrawlesclassiccars #workshop #classiccarrestoration #bighealey #healey100 #healey3000 #britishsportscar #austinhealey100 #austinhealey
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75 0
Winter storage.

If you need your car stored for the winter, please get in touch and we will be happy to help and provide reasonable prices.

Winter storage.

If you need your car stored for the winter, please get in touch and we will be happy to help and provide reasonable prices.
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54 0
Fire breathing Healey anyone? 

Another good day on the rollers @northamptonmotorsport 

After a long project to fully restore this Healey 3000 to an individual spec, today was the first day to run the car, bed in the new engine and tune the carbs as well as some power runs. 

We produced good power for road use, I know that this will be incredible on the road. 
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#austinhealey #classiccar #billrawlesclassiccars #healey3000 #classiccarrestoration #bighealey #britishsportscar #carsofinstagram

Fire breathing Healey anyone?

Another good day on the rollers @northamptonmotorsport

After a long project to fully restore this Healey 3000 to an individual spec, today was the first day to run the car, bed in the new engine and tune the carbs as well as some power runs.

We produced good power for road use, I know that this will be incredible on the road.
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#austinhealey #classiccar #billrawlesclassiccars #healey3000 #classiccarrestoration #bighealey #britishsportscar #carsofinstagram
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225 7
A beautiful Alfa 105 in for a recommission having been sat for a few years. This car is so pretty, really interesting to see some different shapes in the workshop! 
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#classiccar #workshop #carsofinstagram #billrawlesclassiccars #italianclassic #alfaromeo #alfaromeo105

A beautiful Alfa 105 in for a recommission having been sat for a few years. This car is so pretty, really interesting to see some different shapes in the workshop!
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#classiccar #workshop #carsofinstagram #billrawlesclassiccars #italianclassic #alfaromeo #alfaromeo105
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81 0
Another quick Healey through the workshop and off on road test… in preparation for next years event season. 

This rally car really goes well and drives nicely too, a few tweaks and improvements made to the brakes and a few repairs to the chassis, not from corrosion but fatigue over years of competition. There are a few areas such as rear damper mounts that need to be checked periodically. 

Jack found on the initial road test that it wanted some adjustment to the steering but with no satisfactory improvement due to age and wear, we will rebuild the steering box with new internals. 

This is the kind of car that just makes you want to build and drive a fast road Healey… it puts a smile on your face. 
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#classiccar #bighealey #healey3000 #austinhealey #billrawlesclassiccars #historicmotorsport #britishsportscar #racing #healey100 #workshop #carsofinstagram

Another quick Healey through the workshop and off on road test… in preparation for next years event season.

This rally car really goes well and drives nicely too, a few tweaks and improvements made to the brakes and a few repairs to the chassis, not from corrosion but fatigue over years of competition. There are a few areas such as rear damper mounts that need to be checked periodically.

Jack found on the initial road test that it wanted some adjustment to the steering but with no satisfactory improvement due to age and wear, we will rebuild the steering box with new internals.

This is the kind of car that just makes you want to build and drive a fast road Healey… it puts a smile on your face.
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#classiccar #bighealey #healey3000 #austinhealey #billrawlesclassiccars #historicmotorsport #britishsportscar #racing #healey100 #workshop #carsofinstagram
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116 2
Congratulations to BRCC customer Ian Thomas for clinching the Healey class in the Healeysport Speed Championship to become the overall Champion for 2024.

Last year, we built a hill climb engine for this rally/hill climb car, suspension set up, brake work and safety improvements which have clearly paid dividends!

If you are interested in competing, the hill climb championship is very accessible, there will be a class for your car, whether it is a road car or a fully fledged competition car.

You can find out more information at www.healeysport.org - The Championship is in a fantastic place with so many entrants, the championship has a mix of historic hill events and speed events which are typically at circuits, timed over one lap standing starts. Healeysport is growing and always welcomes new entrants and we know 2025 will continue to be bigger and better.
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 #billrawlesclassiccars #britishsportscar #classiccarrestoration #classiccar #austinhealey #austinhealey100 #healey3000 #historicmotorsport #bighealey #motorsport #racing

Congratulations to BRCC customer Ian Thomas for clinching the Healey class in the Healeysport Speed Championship to become the overall Champion for 2024.

Last year, we built a hill climb engine for this rally/hill climb car, suspension set up, brake work and safety improvements which have clearly paid dividends!

If you are interested in competing, the hill climb championship is very accessible, there will be a class for your car, whether it is a road car or a fully fledged competition car.

You can find out more information at www.healeysport.org - The Championship is in a fantastic place with so many entrants, the championship has a mix of historic hill events and speed events which are typically at circuits, timed over one lap standing starts. Healeysport is growing and always welcomes new entrants and we know 2025 will continue to be bigger and better.
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#billrawlesclassiccars #britishsportscar #classiccarrestoration #classiccar #austinhealey #austinhealey100 #healey3000 #historicmotorsport #bighealey #motorsport #racing
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116 1
It’s the start of the busy season in the engine building room, on the stand, a 3000 engine ready for strip down and inspection and another one behind that is now in the process of rebuild. 

We are proud to complete this service in-house and offer a range of specifications available for worldwide crate shipping or install at our workshops.

Standard Road. 
Fast Road. 
Rally. 
Full Race.
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 #austinhealey #billrawlesclassiccars #workshop #classiccar #britishsportscar #bighealey #healey100 #historicmotorsport #austinhealey100 #healey3000 #classiccarrestoration

It’s the start of the busy season in the engine building room, on the stand, a 3000 engine ready for strip down and inspection and another one behind that is now in the process of rebuild.

We are proud to complete this service in-house and offer a range of specifications available for worldwide crate shipping or install at our workshops.

Standard Road.
Fast Road.
Rally.
Full Race.
.
.
.
#austinhealey #billrawlesclassiccars #workshop #classiccar #britishsportscar #bighealey #healey100 #historicmotorsport #austinhealey100 #healey3000 #classiccarrestoration
...

77 1
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