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
Things have been al'white in the workshop today...

We are incredibly thankful to our loyal customer base, we are very busy as we head into winter and really appreciate the enthusiasm and excitement towards the marque. 

Sales are on the floor, it's just not happening unless its at a bargain price but still, there is so much interest in the marque. We are finding that people want to buy but don't know when the right time will be... 

In the meantime, the workshop is buoyant with many upgrades, maintenance and improvements being carried out as well as restoration and fabrication work. 

We really appreciate it. 
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#austinhealey #healey3000 #austinhealey3000 #austinhealey100 #healey100 #historicmotorsport #classiccarrestoration #restoration #classic #classiccar #sportscar #britishsportscar #bighealey #carsofinstagram #workshop #billrawlesclassiccars #goodwood #goodwoodrevival #motorsport #racing #rawles

Things have been al`white in the workshop today...

We are incredibly thankful to our loyal customer base, we are very busy as we head into winter and really appreciate the enthusiasm and excitement towards the marque.

Sales are on the floor, it`s just not happening unless its at a bargain price but still, there is so much interest in the marque. We are finding that people want to buy but don`t know when the right time will be...

In the meantime, the workshop is buoyant with many upgrades, maintenance and improvements being carried out as well as restoration and fabrication work.

We really appreciate it.
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.
.
#austinhealey #healey3000 #austinhealey3000 #austinhealey100 #healey100 #historicmotorsport #classiccarrestoration #restoration #classic #classiccar #sportscar #britishsportscar #bighealey #carsofinstagram #workshop #billrawlesclassiccars #goodwood #goodwoodrevival #motorsport #racing #rawles
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56 0
Austin Healey 3000 enjoying autumn. 
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 #classiccar #billrawlesclassiccars #workshop #classiccarrestoration #bighealey #healey100 #healey3000 #britishsportscar #austinhealey100 #austinhealey

Austin Healey 3000 enjoying autumn.
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#classiccar #billrawlesclassiccars #workshop #classiccarrestoration #bighealey #healey100 #healey3000 #britishsportscar #austinhealey100 #austinhealey
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142 1
Moody skies over Hampshire. 

Austin-Healey 3000 road testing when weather allows. Autumn is a great time to use your classic before the winter comes, get the heater on, roof down and go for a blast to clear the cobwebs, make a list of winter improvements for you to make and get the car ready for spring 2025. 

This Healey has been in for a ring gear and starter motor replacement... Now starting on the button. 
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 #healey3000 #austinhealey #billrawlesclassiccars #bighealey #workshop #austinhealey100 #britishsportscar #classiccar #carsofinstagram

Moody skies over Hampshire.

Austin-Healey 3000 road testing when weather allows. Autumn is a great time to use your classic before the winter comes, get the heater on, roof down and go for a blast to clear the cobwebs, make a list of winter improvements for you to make and get the car ready for spring 2025.

This Healey has been in for a ring gear and starter motor replacement... Now starting on the button.
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#healey3000 #austinhealey #billrawlesclassiccars #bighealey #workshop #austinhealey100 #britishsportscar #classiccar #carsofinstagram
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138 0
1937 Lancia Belna in the workshop this week to remove the engine and replace the flywheel ring gear. These were originally manufactured as a one piece fly and ring gear but over time due to wear, require replacement. We will machine the flywheel and install a new ring gear. 

It’s a rare beast and nice to see some Italian design in the workshop. If there was a way to make something complicated, they would do it but beautiful engineering nonetheless. 
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#classiccarrestorations #billrawlesclassiccars #workshop #italianclassic #Lancia #lanciabelna

1937 Lancia Belna in the workshop this week to remove the engine and replace the flywheel ring gear. These were originally manufactured as a one piece fly and ring gear but over time due to wear, require replacement. We will machine the flywheel and install a new ring gear.

It’s a rare beast and nice to see some Italian design in the workshop. If there was a way to make something complicated, they would do it but beautiful engineering nonetheless.
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#classiccarrestorations #billrawlesclassiccars #workshop #italianclassic #Lancia #lanciabelna
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50 1
Autumn is here…

Friday saw some good weather and a chance to road test cars, including this lovely Healey 100 that we have recently converted to RHD.
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 #austinhealey #billrawlesclassiccars #bighealey #workshop #austinhealey100 #britishsportscar #classiccar #carsofinstagram

Autumn is here…

Friday saw some good weather and a chance to road test cars, including this lovely Healey 100 that we have recently converted to RHD.
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#austinhealey #billrawlesclassiccars #bighealey #workshop #austinhealey100 #britishsportscar #classiccar #carsofinstagram
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141 0
Austin Healey 3000 MKIIA BJ7 mid way through body fit up.

With the original shrouds repaired and new wings fitted and adjusted, we will now fit up all items including chrome, glass, lights etc. Chrome will then be de-chromed and fettled as required before sending all items to be chromed. The body will have final adjustments, then the car will be taken apart to start the paint process.

Someone once said, 90% of the project takes 50% of the time... the final 10% takes another 50%... and this is so true. Time must be spent, especially in the body metalwork to ensure there is not excessive filler to make up for poor metalwork, as is so often seen.
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 #britishsportscar #austinhealey #healey3000 #bighealey #workshop #classiccarrestorations #billrawlesclassiccars

Austin Healey 3000 MKIIA BJ7 mid way through body fit up.

With the original shrouds repaired and new wings fitted and adjusted, we will now fit up all items including chrome, glass, lights etc. Chrome will then be de-chromed and fettled as required before sending all items to be chromed. The body will have final adjustments, then the car will be taken apart to start the paint process.

Someone once said, 90% of the project takes 50% of the time... the final 10% takes another 50%... and this is so true. Time must be spent, especially in the body metalwork to ensure there is not excessive filler to make up for poor metalwork, as is so often seen.
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#britishsportscar #austinhealey #healey3000 #bighealey #workshop #classiccarrestorations #billrawlesclassiccars
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85 1
Bill Rawles wins Road America Founders Cup.

During all of the excitement of the race weekend at Road America, winning the Healey World Challenge, we didn't really cover the other events of the weekend. 

Both Bill and Jack Rawles raced the car during the weekend but Bill campaigned the car in the Founders Cup, a mixed marque race. Qualifying 7th overall from nearly 30 cars, Bill raced to the front and after 3 laps, was leading the race. 

Despite losing overdrive at the halfway mark and having to push the engine to the limits, around 7,000rpm on the long Road America straights, Bill held on to win the Founders Cup, in front of charging American sedans and slightly newer machinery. 
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 #austinhealey3000 #bighealey #britishsportscar #healey3000 #austinhealey #racing #historicmotorsport #motorsport

Bill Rawles wins Road America Founders Cup.

During all of the excitement of the race weekend at Road America, winning the Healey World Challenge, we didn`t really cover the other events of the weekend.

Both Bill and Jack Rawles raced the car during the weekend but Bill campaigned the car in the Founders Cup, a mixed marque race. Qualifying 7th overall from nearly 30 cars, Bill raced to the front and after 3 laps, was leading the race.

Despite losing overdrive at the halfway mark and having to push the engine to the limits, around 7,000rpm on the long Road America straights, Bill held on to win the Founders Cup, in front of charging American sedans and slightly newer machinery.
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#austinhealey3000 #bighealey #britishsportscar #healey3000 #austinhealey #racing #historicmotorsport #motorsport
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88 2
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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