Classic Car Restoration & Maintenance

This E-Type restoration is now well underway, here are some photos of the car before we stripped it down. As I write this now, the car is in pieces with all parts packed and documented ready for the restoration process.

The next step will be to send the shell and panels away for dipping whilst the engine and running gear work their way through the process of rebuild.
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#jaguar #jaguaretype #etype #historicmotorsport #classiccarrestoration #restoration #classic #classiccar #sportscar #britishsportscar #bighealey #carsofinstagram #workshop #billrawlesclassiccars #goodwood #goodwoodrevival #motorsport #racing #rawles ...

☀️ Penultimate Natters & Nibbles – Saturday 12th July 2025 ☕️🍰

After last month’s unforgettable Summer Special with Bill Rawles on saxophone alongside Bill McDonough’s Band, we didn’t think it could get any better... but this weekend proved us wrong!

With the UK basking in a blistering heatwave, over 60 stunning classic cars filled our workshop grounds. The atmosphere was electric – conversations buzzing, tea and coffee flowing, and our famous homemade cakes being thoroughly enjoyed. 🚗💬🍵

Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event – all in aid of our brilliant charities:
💛 Winchester Home Start
🚁 Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
🌼 Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice
🧠 Parkinson’s UK

A wonderful morning of community, cars, and cake – what more could you want?

We can’t wait to welcome you to our final Natters & Nibbles of the season. Saturday 09th August 2025 save the date 🗓️

Thank you to Liz Barber for some great shots capturing the morning.

#NattersAndNibbles #ClassicCars #BillRawlesClassicCars #CarMeets #CommunityEvent #SupportLocalCharities #SummerVibes #ClassicCarLife #HampshireEvents #charity #charityevent #carmeet #classiccar #austinhealey #porsche #mg #jaguar #cake #coffee #social #networking #drivetastefully #classiccarlover #classiccaroftheday #carsofinstagram ...

🏁 Thruxton Retro Presents: SUPERFUNK 🎶
📍 @thruxtonracing | 🗓 20–22 June 2025

A weekend of retro style, classic racing, and serious speed at the UK’s fastest circuit. Thruxton Retro 2025 brought the funk—and we were there with two entries in a packed grid of historic competition.

CSCC Classic K – FSL 246
In our Austin Healey 3000 MKIIA, @billrawles and @jackrawles46 qualified P10 in a 26-car grid of FIA Appendix K machinery. Bill got a great start, immediately moving up to P8 and showing impressive pace, battling Jaguars and MGBs. By lap 12, he handed over to Jack, who rejoined in P9 and began closing in on the cars ahead. On lap 16, Jack heard a loud bang exiting the chicane—a broken half shaft brought our race to an early end. The issue has since been traced and repairs are underway.

GT & Sports Car Cup – 729 FAC
Jack also teamed up with Alex Hewitson in another Austin Healey 3000 MKIIA. The pair qualified P12 overall and 3rd in class in a competitive field. Alex drove a smooth and consistent first stint, and we were fortunate to catch the safety car just as planned, allowing for a well-timed pit stop under yellow.

Jack took over past halfway and made-up positions while managing tyre wear and fuel in the intense 30°C heat. We crossed the line P7 overall and 1st in class, but a 40-second penalty for exceeding the maximum stint length dropped us to P8 overall and 2nd in class. A tough way to lose a class win, but a strong performance all the same.

The @gtandsportscarcup is next out at Castle Combe in October—Jack hopes to be back on the grid, but nothing confirmed just yet.

Photo credit 1,2,7,8 @charlieb.photography
Photo credit 3,4,5,6,9,12 @roserawles

#ThruxtonRetro #Superfunk2025 #ClassicRacing #GTSCup #CSCC #JackRawles #BillRawles #AustinHealey3000 #HistoricRacing #VintageMotorsport #ThruxtonCircuit #RaceWeekend #billrawlesclassiccars #austinhealey #healey #race #racecar #motorsport #historicmotorsport #keephealeysracing #cars #carsofinstagram #classiccars #classiccarsofinstagram ...

✨ Ladies Drive It Day 2025 ✨

An unforgettable afternoon of classic cars, countryside roads, and connection! 🚗💨☕️

The inaugural Ladies Drive It Day, created by @michellegmcdonough of @hardyengineeringltd brought together 14 stunning Austin Healeys and 30 passionate women from the Austin Healey Club for a truly special event.

📍Starting at Hardy Engineering in Leatherhead, we followed a tulip map route through the scenic Surrey Hills, arriving in style at the prestigious @royalautomobileclub Woodcote Park.

Before indulging in classic afternoon tea in the Derby Room, we toured the Motor House to admire the RAC’s heritage fleet, and parked proudly on the Cedar Lawn for a perfect photo op in front of the Clubhouse 🌿📸

This event was more than just a drive—it was a celebration of women in a space often dominated by men. Classic car motoring has long lacked female representation, and this day was all about empowering women to get behind the wheel, connect, and enjoy these beautiful machines.

A special shoutout to @abbeyrwilliams who drove an Austin Healey 3000 MKI—her first real experience driving an Austin Healey any distance—with @roserawles as her co-pilot and tulip map reader. Together, they made a fabulous team and embodied the spirit of confidence, adventure, and friendship that this event is all about. 👏🚘🗺️🏁✨

Here’s to many more miles and moments shared in the spirit of inclusion, passion, and motoring joy 💫

#LadiesDriveItDay #AustinHealeyClub #WomenWhoDrive #ClassicCarLove #HardyEngineering #RoyalAutomobileClub #DriveAndDine #SurreyHillsDrive #WomenInMotorsport #DriveItDay #TulipMapAdventure #CarCommunity #EmpoweredDrivers #FirstDrive #HealeyHeritage #billrawlesclassiccars #austinhealey #healey #classiccars #classiccarsofinstagram #classiccaroftheday #afternoontea #drivetastfully #girls #ladies ...

Natters & Nibbles Summer Special
Saturday 14th June 2025

A Celebration of Classic Cars and Community – Nostalgia meets summer vitality.

We promised to turn up the summer vibes at this month’s Natters & Nibbles and we delivered.

Our Natters & Nibbles Summer Special was a huge success, an unforgettable event for car enthusiasts and lovers of convivial gatherings. The morning brought together aficionados of classic cars for a morning filled with camaraderie, an interesting variety of vehicles and of course our BBQ bacon rolls, tea, coffee and an outstanding collection of homemade bakes. Thank you to @roserawles and the team of star bakers.

The morning was aptly named our “Summer Special” because we had live music to keep us entertained and to get everyone in the party mood.

Everyone was surprised when @billrawles made a guest appearance with the band. Bill Mcdonough of @hardyengineeringltd with his patience and expertise coached and encouraged Bill Rawles to get him up to speed 🎷 Bill did not disappoint and wowed the crowd. Who knew that Bill Rawles played the saxophone?

Our Natters & Nibbles are more than just a monthly Spring/Summer event. They are a celebration of shared passions and create community bonds. Whether you are a seasoned collector, a curious onlooker, or simply a lover of classic charm, the event offers an inclusive environment to celebrate the timeless allure of these cars.

We welcome everyone, men, women, children and dogs. These informal events are free and to be enjoyed. They are a charity event and all we ask for is that you donate to our chosen charities: -

@home_startwinchester
@parkinsonsuk
@hiowaa56
@phyllistuckwell

Thank you

Our next date is Saturday 12th July 2025 – 10 until 1 O’clock at our workshop, SO24 0JG. We cannot claim that we can repeat this month’s shenanigans – the bar was set too high!! But nonetheless you will still have a good morning.

#billrawlesclassiccars #nattersandnibbles #charity #charityevent #carmeet #classiccars #austinhealey #porsche #jaguar #mg #cake #coffee #coffeelover #social #networking #family #drivetastefully #classiccarlover #classiccaroftheday #carsofinstagram ...