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DPM Autobody

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DPM Autobody

Classic car restoration

21/10/2026

Metal work

The most important stage to any high quality restoration. The foundations of any top restoration has to begin right at the roots - ensuring a structural solid and properly prepared surface. Without this all the following steps are quite simply pointless

Although quite terrifying for clients, and sometimes ourselves, you sometimes have to take areas back a long way before getting to solid metal

Studying how panels are put together to ensure the correct process is followed when reconstructing is time consuming - and when it’s had years of poor previous attempts - it becomes a real challenge

This TR6 has gone through extensive metal work and now finishing up with being split for its chassis and mounting to the rotisserie for blasting. We can then carry out finessing of all metal work and panel gaps

16/10/2026

The next project has landed at HQ

Datsun 240Z with us for some substantial metal work, full blast along with underside restoration

The car then is going elsewhere for final paint - a very iconic car and finished in a bold colour choice. Personally we love it!

02/10/2026

Refinement

Every restoration goes through an extensive flat and polish after paint

The depth of this refinement is based on how far a client wants to take the paint finish - for some the difference doesn’t justify the cost

Nonetheless every commission is hand flatted to remove texture and imperfections to produce a flowing flawless paint finish - but the road to this starts way before paint touches the panels

30/09/2026

Rebuild

Progress continues on the Pearl white P1800 restoration

Engine, gearbox and rear suspension all refitted.

Every component refurbed and rebuilt and fitted with new hardware

Chrome back from re-plating and now being refitted
Long until first start - this is going to be a splendid example

15/09/2026

Restoration

Every restoration journey starts with fully documenting the car as it arrives. Every component stripped and itemised

Parts lists created as components are removed and come apart ensuring nothing is missed. Components are then labelled for refurb or replace

Once fully stripped the shell and panels are assessed, noting all metal work required
Panel exterior faces stripped for inspection prior to going for soda blasting - the most effective way to bring a car back to bare metal

This lovely Triumph TR6 has just begun its wonderful journey of being brought back to life

08/09/2026

Kallum working away with the Bentley chassis rebuild.
Another batch of components stripped, blasted, painted and rebuilt ready for installation.

Proving himself very well with this task especially as we weren’t the ones to strip it down. As our youngest (and most handsome) member of staff he is certainly finding his feet with us!

Every component stripped, refurbed and reassembled - and there is a lot of them! Hoping to have the chassis back on its wheels soon

02/09/2026

With the sad news of the 262 engine loosing compression after a new faulty fuel pump caused over fuelling and washed out the bores (non rebuilt engine at clients wish)

Simon has been busy pulling the engine out and rebuilding it. Some rotten luck for the client as the engine is a low mileage runner but restoring old cars is never easy and issues arise - luckily the car is in safe hands and soon to be on the road

Heads back from machine shop and now in the trusted hands of Simon for reassembly. First start this week and then we can continue with shakedown tests before returning to the client

26/08/2026

Rebuild.

With the P1800 shell and panels now into final paint we can begin the reassembly of all the components and the heart of the car.

A freshly built B18 awaits all the refurbed components that have been restored in house. All suspension components fitted with new bushes and bearings ready for installation with all new fresh zinc hardware

Nothing over looked. Nothing left untouched.

19/08/2026

Final paint.

All those hours of meticulous preparation finally get a chance to shine.

This P1800 example commissioned in a beautiful 3 stage pearl white. From a distance looks close to original colour and then the sun hits and the pearl pops

With a set paint process for all our restorations this tried and tested method along with trusted brands ensures the quality we strive for

Now to sit for a couple of weeks before we start the flat and polishing process to perfect the paint finish

17/08/2026

The Bentley S3 chassis rebuild underway

A full rebuild on this coach built car is far from easy. Add in the fact it was not stripped down by ourselves and the firm due to rebuild dropped the job which has now been passed onto ourselves to help the client finish the restoration.

Missing parts, unlabelled hardware and limited dismantling photos means we have our work cut out

Studying the archive parts lists for diagrams and specs is proving rather helpful!

Address

Polegate

Opening Hours

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

Website

http://Www.dpmautobody.co.uk/

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