Driving Spirit

Driving Spirit Restoration, Repair and Servicing of 'Visionary Vehicles'.
34 years of professional involvement with 2CVs. Vespa / Daihatsu / Subaru Specialist, too.

This is a most welcome guest. It fits the spirit of our company perfectly. I think I’d like to see more of these in…
04/06/2026

This is a most welcome guest. It fits the spirit of our company perfectly. I think I’d like to see more of these in…

02/06/2026

Beautiful Times!

Sally Beachcomber has had all her body welding completed today…we believe. The rear quarters are very difficult to spot ...
06/05/2026

Sally Beachcomber has had all her body welding completed today…we believe. The rear quarters are very difficult to spot weld to the rear panel, in places, due to access of the electrode on the inside. With this in mind we have experimented with single-sided spot welding in this area. The last picture is of a peel test of a test spot weld. It was totally successful and entirely strong enough. You can see the metal tearing before the spot weld would separate. Perfect!

That’s Bernard’s body painted!
06/05/2026

That’s Bernard’s body painted!

A variety of inspirational, benchmark vehicles through our hands this week. The GS 1220 Pallas: a revolution in the Vaux...
01/05/2026

A variety of inspirational, benchmark vehicles through our hands this week.

The GS 1220 Pallas: a revolution in the Vauxhall Viva/Ford Escort/Hilman Avenger sector, featuring the iconic self levelling nitrogen-sprung suspension, centre-point steering geometry, high-powered inboard disc brakes and a revvy, unburstable, turbine-like twin OHC boxer engine.

The SM, a flawed but inspired space-ship supercar with elegance that has grown more beautiful than ever with age, and a combination of the finest suspension and the most perfect power steering ever fitted to a car. First car to have rain sensitive wipers. Maserati V(8 becomes) 6 growling menacingly and threatening potential bankruptcy if not treated respectfully… an awesome car that you wouldn’t necessarily want to pay for…!

The CX 25 DTR Turbo 2 - until the purchase of my latest Subaru Outback, my best car ever owned was one of these. (The last Outback nearly pipped it, but harsh suspension foiled its chances. The new one improves vastly on this.)
The CX DTR Turbo offers steering and suspension almost as perfect as the SM but couples this with a bulletproof and characterful old-school diesel engine, relative ease of maintenance and great economy. It might just be one of the greatest ever cars for me.
It’s a privilege to deal with these wonderful vehicles. It is particularly lovely to have this CX hanging around, reminding me of some great motoring past.

Floor fully welded in place, following Sally’s mounting (wait for it…) onto the rotisserie. Welding completion is well w...
01/05/2026

Floor fully welded in place, following Sally’s mounting (wait for it…) onto the rotisserie. Welding completion is well within our sights.

After a selection of reaction problems, a Bernard has successfully received a couple of good coats of paint. It is more ...
01/05/2026

After a selection of reaction problems, a Bernard has successfully received a couple of good coats of paint. It is more work for us, but we’re going to flat his flanks again next week and go for top coat before moving on to his ancillary panels.

Ongoing work with Sally Beachcomber.
30/04/2026

Ongoing work with Sally Beachcomber.

Some things were equal, but not all! Bonnet done ✔️ Main shell has a first couple of coats - on the dry side, due to a l...
21/04/2026

Some things were equal, but not all!

Bonnet done ✔️
Main shell has a first couple of coats - on the dry side, due to a little silicone shenanigans in a handful of areas. Tomorrow we will deal with such things, re-flat the paint and carry on…

Address

The Acre, Dappers Lane, Angmering
Littlehampton
BN164EN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447966656406

Website

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