After being contacted to restore an iconic 1980s Series 1 RS Turbo that had been locked away in dry storage since 1997, we couldn’t resist taking on the challenge. Located in Surrey, the car was a true barn find, and despite its long hibernation, all four wheels were free, and the tyres had been inflated before our arrival. We carefully winched the car onto our truck and brought it back to the workshop for a thorough inspection. The customer requested a full restoration to a usable standard, rather than a complete nut-and-bolt restoration. As we stripped the vehicle down to a bare shell, we were pleased to discover it was remarkably original, still sporting its original paint. The car was then sent to our body shop for significant work, including removing an aftermarket sunroof, fitting a new roof skin, and replacing the sills, wings, and more, followed by a full repaint inside and out.

Meanwhile, we meticulously sorted through the car’s parts, determining which could be restored and which needed replacing. The engine was fully stripped, rebuilt, and repainted, with the cylinder head receiving new valves, hardened valve seats, and a head skim. The suspension was also refurbished, with parts shot blasted, powder coated, and refitted with new shocks, springs, brake discs, and pads. We replaced the fuel tank, repaired lines, and decontaminated and painted the gearbox. Although the restoration wasn’t intended to be a full nut-and-bolt job, we replaced or repainted as many nuts, bolts, and washers as possible, ensuring the car received the extra care it deserved.

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