Classic Car Lab

02/09/2026

Sometimes the little cars steal the show… ❤️

It doesn’t always have to be a Ferrari, Lamborghini or something worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to turn heads.

Sometimes a car comes into Classic Car Lab that simply makes everyone smile — and this gorgeous little Triumph Herald 1200 is a perfect example.

Finished in this wonderful period blue, it has bags of character. In fact, at first glance you could almost be forgiven for thinking of the famous little blue Ford Anglia from Harry Potter! Same era, same wonderfully simple British charm — and proof that you certainly don’t need a supercar to attract attention.

But this one came to us for more than admiration.

The owner was concerned that the engine simply wasn’t running as smoothly as it should. Bob got to work on the twin-carburettor setup and immediately found an imbalance: one carburettor was running rich while the other was running lean.

The carburettors were properly tuned and balanced, the ignition timing was set correctly, and the difference was enormous.

So much so that the owner promptly drove the Triumph all the way to Ireland and back, telling us afterwards that the car had never run so well. 🇮🇪

Unfortunately, on the journey home, another little piece of classic-car character decided to make itself known — the brakes began to seize.

Back into the Lab it came.

We traced the problem to the nearside handbrake mechanism having seized, together with an issue around the moving brake cylinder. Everything was freed off and repaired properly, and the little Herald is now back with a very happy owner — running beautifully and stopping as it should!

And this is exactly why we love what we do.

A classic car doesn’t have to be exotic, enormously valuable or capable of 200mph to be special. Sometimes the cars with the biggest personalities come in the smallest packages.

And we reckon this little Triumph probably turns as many heads as quite a few cars worth ten times as much. 💙

Heritage to Modern — if it matters to you, it matters to us.

📍 Classic Car Lab, Otley Mills
🔧 Servicing • Mechanical • Diagnostics • Restoration • Bodywork • Welding • Classic & Modern Cars

24/08/2026

This photograph, for me, sums up everything Classic Car Lab is about.

It isn’t really about the cars. And it certainly isn’t just about the money.

It’s about people, opportunity and the future.

In this photograph, you have three young people who make me incredibly proud.

Eric, in the hat, is our apprentice mechanic.

Ellie, with her arms in the air, is our apprentice paint technician.

And Wade, who started with us as an apprentice and is now a junior technician.

Three young people learning, developing and building careers in an industry that desperately needs the next generation to come through.

Because without young people like these, you have to ask the question:

Where will the classic and modern classic car industry be in 10, 20 or 30 years' time?

Skills have to be passed on. People have to be given a chance. Apprentices need somewhere they can learn, make mistakes, gain confidence, and eventually become the people who teach the generation after them.

That is something my wife and I believe in enormously, and we are doing everything we possibly can to give young people those opportunities at Classic Car Lab.

I won’t pretend it is easy. Running a business has never been easy, especially now, and there are plenty of pressures.

But then you see a photograph like this and remember exactly why you do it.

This was probably my favourite photograph from our fantastic two days at Mathewson’s Live at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

We’ll share plenty more photographs from the weekend and some of the wonderful cars we saw, but this one mattered more to me than any of them.

A huge thank you to the whole Mathewson’s team for making us so welcome, and particularly to Derek. It was an absolute pleasure meeting everyone.

We’ll certainly be back next year.

And hopefully, between now and then, we’ll still be filming with Air TV, still restoring wonderful classic cars, still growing Classic Car Lab — and most importantly, still giving young people the opportunity to become the next generation of skilled technicians, mechanics, painters, welders and restorers.

That is the future of our industry.

And looking at these three, I think the future is rather exciting.
A huge thank you to for making us so welcome, and to the whole team behind & Cash and TV.

Award-Winning Classic and Modern Classic Car Specialists.
We help keep your dream alive. The best Yorkshire Car Restorations. Servicing, General Maintenance, Paint Work, SMART Repairs, MOT Work, Tyres supplied and Balanced, electrical diagnostics.

23/08/2026

My top five cars to watch at Mathewsons today 👀🚗

Ive picked these not because they’re the most expensive cars in the auction, but because they offer an interesting mix of value, collectability and future potential.

1. Porsche Boxster S 3.2 Manual

A proper S with a manual gearbox, low mileage and, in my opinion, still undervalued. These are becoming genuine modern classics.

My prediction: £9,200

2. Triumph TR3A

A very tempting estimate for a classic British sports car that has apparently been fully restored. If it’s as good underneath as it looks, this could be one of the bargains of the day.

My prediction: £11,500

3. MGA Twin Cam

This is the serious collector’s car of the five. Much rarer than a standard MGA, restored and complete with a genuine aluminium hardtop. A very special car.

My prediction: £31,000

4. 1978 Chevrolet Corvette 5.7 V8

The wildcard! Huge character, a big V8 and potentially a lot of classic car for the money. It will need careful checking and possibly some recommissioning, but that should be reflected in the price.

My prediction: £7,250

5. Rover Mini Cooper Sports LE

A rare, limited-production late Mini and exactly the sort of car collectors are increasingly looking for. Originality will be everything with this one.

My prediction: £15,500

So there we are — my five cars to watch at Mathewsons today.

With Mathewsons Auctions and the Mathewsons family bringing another fantastic selection of classic and interesting vehicles to auction, it will be fascinating to see how these cars perform when the hammer comes down. With the Yorkshire Showground providing the setting, there should be plenty for classic car fans to enjoy.

If I had to choose just one for myself, I think I’d be looking very closely at the Porsche Boxster S.

What would you buy, and how close do you think my predictions will be?

05/08/2026

We’re delighted to say that Classic Car Lab will be attending the Mathewsons event at the Great Yorkshire Showground!

It promises to be a fantastic day filled with wonderful cars, familiar faces and plenty of motoring conversation. Come along, say hello and meet the team — we’d love to see you there!

03/08/2026

🇩🇰 WE’RE NUMBER 33 IN DENMARK! 🇩🇰

I must admit, this genuinely tickled me.

I received a message from Carlos to tell me that Under the Bonnet with Dino has reached number 33 in the podcast rankings in Denmark.

How on earth that happened, I’m not entirely sure — but thank you to Carlos for letting me know, and a huge thank you to everyone listening in Denmark and around the world.

Our latest episode is now available:

What It’s Really Like Living With an Aston Martin DB5

Thirty years ago, I bought a silver Aston Martin DB5 with no bumpers and problems almost everywhere.

In this episode, I talk honestly about what a DB5 is really like to own and drive — beyond the James Bond image, the glamour and the extraordinary values.

It was noisy, smelly, heavy to steer, difficult to see out of and, on one particularly memorable occasion, it caught fire.

I also tell the story of my father’s wonderfully unimpressed verdict:

“It’s second-hand.”

But this episode is about much more than one Aston Martin.

Amanda was the person who first introduced me to the world of classic cars. Without her, I would never have bought that DB5, met the remarkable welders, technicians, upholsterers and painters who became lifelong friends, built a collection of Astons and Jaguars, or eventually created Classic Car Lab.

We also discuss:

🔥 The frightening day the DB5 caught fire
🏁 What a DB5 is genuinely like to drive
🔧 The craftsmen who changed my life
💷 Whether a DB5 is still a sensible investment
🛠 Why a full restoration can cost an extraordinary amount
🏚 Why romantic barn finds often make little financial sense
❤️ The people and memories that can make a car worth far more than money

It is one of our most personal episodes so far, combining classic-car stories, restoration knowledge, ownership advice, humour, friendship and the financial truth behind one of the world’s most famous cars.

Listen or Watch on Your Favourite Platform
▶ Watch on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Spotify
🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts
🎙️ Listen on Amazon Music
📻 Listen on Podbean
Choose your favourite platform above, or continue reading below to discover the story behind this episode.

📻 Listen on Podbean
🎙️ https://classiccarlab.com/restoration-projects/under-the-bonnet-with-dino-2/

🚗 Visit Classic Car Lab:
https://classiccarlab.com/

Please follow, subscribe and share the episode. It still amazes me that these stories, recorded here in Yorkshire, are now reaching listeners around the world.

Thank you for listening.

Dino
Under the Bonnet with Dino
Classic Car Lab — Heritage to Modern

31/07/2026

🔧 CLASSIC ALFA ROMEO GTV ENGINE REBUILD & MECHANICAL RESTORATION 🇮🇹

This wonderful classic Alfa Romeo GTV came to Classic Car Lab with difficult starting, poor running, inconsistent fuel pressure and smoke from the exhaust.

What began as a mechanical investigation developed into a comprehensive engine rebuild, including cylinder-head machining, specialist aluminium welding, new cylinder liners, crankshaft preparation, ignition work, carburettor setup, engine refitting and final road testing.

It is a brilliant example of just how much mechanical and engineering expertise we now have within Classic Car Lab.

Our engineering and mechanical department is continuing to grow under the direction of Peter, and it is working extremely well. Peter, Wade, Bob, Eric and the rest of the team bring an enormous amount of experience, determination and knowledge to the workshop.

I would personally like to thank every one of the guys.

Without their skill, dedication and hard work, we simply would not have a business. They are the people who turn difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible projects into finished cars that can be enjoyed again.

Classic car restoration is not only about paintwork and beautiful bodywork. It is also about understanding what is happening underneath, diagnosing faults properly and having the experience to rebuild, repair and recommission these wonderful old machines.

From complete engine rebuilds and mechanical restoration to carburettor tuning, ignition faults, gearbox work, braking systems, suspension, welding, fabrication, bodywork and servicing, our growing team can help with an enormous variety of classic, prestige and modern-classic vehicles.

We welcome enquiries from Otley, Ilkley, Harrogate, Leeds, York, the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Manchester, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Northumberland and County Durham.

We also work with classic car owners from London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Edinburgh and across the United Kingdom. Vehicle collection and transportation may also be arranged.

To see more about this Alfa Romeo GTV restoration and the work carried out by our team, please click the link below:

👇 READ THE FULL RESTORATION STORY HERE
https://classiccarlab.com/restoration-projects/alfa-romeo-gtv-engine-rebuild-restoration/

If your classic car is difficult to start, running badly, smoking, overheating, leaking or simply not performing as it should, please speak to us. Sometimes the answer is not immediately obvious—but that is where experience really matters.

📞 01943 468380
🌐 classiccarlab.com
📍 Otley, West Yorkshire

Classic Car Lab – Heritage to Modern

25/07/2026

🚗 Another Classic Saved – MGB Roadster Insurance Repair at Classic Car Lab 🇬🇧

Accidents happen… but with the right team, they don’t have to mean the end of your pride and joy.

This lovely MGB Roadster arrived at Classic Car Lab following accident damage to the nearside front corner. As with many classic cars, once we carefully stripped the vehicle down, we discovered hidden damage and corrosion that simply couldn’t be seen from the outside.

Rather than taking shortcuts, our team repaired the vehicle properly.

✔️ Specialist metal repairs and welding
✔️ Corrosion removal and treatment
✔️ Custom paint mixed to match the original finish
✔️ New panels professionally fitted, prepared and painted
✔️ Careful rebuild with chrome and brightwork refitted
✔️ Machine polished, detailed and ready to return to its delighted owner

One of the things we’re most proud of is making the insurance repair process as straightforward as possible. We work closely with our customers, insurance companies and vehicle assessors, keeping everyone informed from start to finish. It takes the stress away and allows our customers to concentrate on what matters most—getting back behind the wheel.

Whether it’s a classic car, modern classic, prestige vehicle or everyday modern car, our experienced team carries out everything from minor accident damage through to major structural repairs, all under one roof.

It’s this attention to detail, craftsmanship and teamwork that has earned Classic Car Lab the trust of owners throughout Yorkshire, Harrogate, Ilkley, Leeds, York, Wetherby, Ripon, Skipton, Cheshire, Wilmslow, Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Bristol, London, Surrey, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and across England, Scotland and Wales.

We don’t simply repair vehicles—we restore confidence, preserve craftsmanship and help owners enjoy their cars for many more years to come.

📸 The before and after photographs really tell the story.

👉 Click the link below to see the full project, behind-the-scenes photographs and discover how our team transformed this MGB Roadster from accident damaged to road-ready once again.

https://classiccarlab.com/restoration-projects/classic-car-insurance-repairs-mgb-roadster/

Classic Car Lab – Heritage to Modern.

21/07/2026

🤠 Well… this isn’t the sort of outfit you normally see at Classic Car Lab!

Most people know me for Aston Martins, classic cars, restoration projects and occasionally getting covered in oil…

But before all of that, there was a young lad from Yorkshire with a pair of questionable white shorts, cowboy boots, big dreams and an obsession with cars.

🚗 Where did that passion begin?
🚗 Why did my dad’s comment about my first Aston Martin stay with me forever?
🚗 How did washing cars as a youngster help shape my future?
🚗 What have classic cars taught me about business, family and life?

This week’s Under the Bonnet with Dino is probably the most personal episode I’ve ever recorded.

There are a few laughs…
A few embarrassing moments…
A couple of emotional ones…
And, hopefully, something that might inspire someone who is just starting their own journey.

I’d genuinely love to know…

What was the first car that made you fall in love with motoring?

Tell me in the comments. It doesn’t matter whether it was a Mini, a Ford Es**rt, a Ferrari or a battered old van—every car has a story.

🎥 Grab a coffee, put your feet up, and come and join me.

👉 Watch here: https://youtu.be/SKB6zi2_PG8?is=vhH2zuQsbI2Rz6hQ

If you enjoy it, please consider liking, sharing and subscribing. It really does help us reach more fellow enthusiasts and keeps these stories coming.

21/07/2026

KEEPING CLASSICS & MODERN CLASSICS ON THE ROAD

At Classic Car Lab, every vehicle is treated with the same care, attention and craftsmanship—whether it's a cherished £2,000 Mazda MX-5 or a £2 million collector's car.

From everyday maintenance to full restorations, our experienced technicians combine traditional engineering skills with the latest diagnostic equipment to keep your pride and joy performing exactly as it should.

MX-5 Specialists

We're delighted to have a growing number of Mazda MX-5s coming through our workshop. Whether your car needs routine servicing, mechanical repairs, rust repairs, welding, suspension work, diagnostics or SMART repairs, we'd love to help keep it at its very best.

MG Owners Welcome

Classic and modern MGs have always been close to our hearts. From servicing and MOT failure repairs to fabrication, restoration, electrical diagnostics and cosmetic improvements, we're here to help you enjoy your MG with complete confidence.

Our Services

✔ Servicing & Maintenance
✔ Mechanical Repairs
✔ SMART Repairs
✔ Welding & Fabrication
✔ Diagnostics
✔ MOT Failure Repairs
✔ Classic Car Restoration
✔ Rust Repairs
✔ Suspension & Steering
✔ Brake Overhauls
✔ Electrical Fault Finding

Based at our bright, purpose-designed workshop at Otley Mills, Otley, we regularly welcome customers from Harrogate, Ilkley, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Leeds, Horsforth, Guiseley, Yeadon, Wetherby, York, Ripon, Skipton, Cheshire, Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh and throughout the UK.

Collection and delivery can be arranged by prior agreement, making it even easier to trust your vehicle to specialists who genuinely care.

Whether your vehicle is worth £2,000 or £2 million, it will receive exactly the same meticulous attention to detail.

Classic Car Lab – Heritage to Modern

See some of our latest restoration and workshop projects here:
https://www.classiccarlab.com/projects/

13/07/2026

🇺🇸 A little catch-up from the archives... 🇺🇸

As many of you know, I've been looking back through some of the projects we've completed over the years, and I came across these photographs of this wonderful 1969 Ford Mustang.

This was a particularly memorable car for me, not only because it's such an iconic American muscle car, but also because it belonged to an A-list celebrity. Out of respect for our customer's privacy, I'll keep their identity a secret, but I have to admit it was a real privilege that they entrusted us with their pride and joy.

The work included fitting a Shaker-style bonnet scoop, repairing areas of damaged paintwork and stone chips, carefully blending the surrounding panels, and colour-matching everything to achieve a factory-quality finish.

It's always been our philosophy that whether a vehicle belongs to a celebrity or a first-time classic owner, every car receives exactly the same level of care, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Looking back through these photographs reminds me just how many special vehicles have passed through our workshop over the years. There are plenty more archive projects to share, so keep an eye out over the coming weeks.

📍 Classic Car Lab – Heritage to Modern
Otley Mills, Otley

✔ Classic & Modern Classic Specialists
✔ Restoration & Preservation
✔ Paint & Body Repairs
✔ Servicing & Maintenance
✔ Insurance & Accident Repairs

Have a guess... who do you think owned it? 😉 (I'm afraid I can't tell you!)