If you like seeing behind the scenes at the places where the magic happens in restoring classic sports cars, then have a look at Richard Hammond’s new classic car restoration workshop over on DriveTribe’s YouTube channel.
The video, featuring a dapper but obviously tired Richard, gives a quick walkaround of the operation with an overview of the processes, facilities and quirks, and features of what seems to be the exact kind of place where we would all love to spend hours every day asking questions and chatting with the English ex-Top Gear co-presenter.
Richard Hammond’s Workshop Up And Running
From the overhead angles and full-width shots, we can see various cars in distinct states of restoration, including a Jaguar E-Type in the inspection hall and a Land Rover Defender in one of the paint-work cubicles.
As he points out, the workshop isn’t yet finished and although work activity is implied, the operation is running, there are small details to sort with wires hanging from the wall near the reception and coffee room.
Guests and visitors mill around the courtyard outside taking in the activity.
Above in the ceiling area hang fenders and car parts drying or ready to be prepped and painted and spotlights shine brightly on the area where new cars or projects are evaluated.
Walking around the facility we are shown a sanding/body-prep room where there's sanders fitted with air hoses to extract the dust and air, with the Land Rover parked up inside. A specialized and efficient jig/worktable is already prepped for work on a rusted old fender or bumper.
Next door, a state-of-the-art paint room is where a partly painted black Ford RS2000 resides waiting for its finishing coat. The paint room is notable for its innovative air extraction through the mesh floor resulting in an even paint coating for the car shells which will spend time in here.
Classic Car Workshop Officially Open For Business
Hammond’s sense of humor is ever-present despite him conceding that the work and long hours have taken their toll, with the set-up and overseeing the operation requiring up to 21-hour days.
Air extractor pipes around the walls and ceiling include labels such as ‘Gin’, ‘Tonic’, ‘Tea’, and ‘Coffee’ and Richard merrily recounts the $17,000 compressor he had to replace when there was a problem with another machine.
It’s good to see he is in good spirits, good to see some great cars going to a good place for a new lease of life, and most of all, good to see Hammond accomplishing a dream in getting the workshop off the ground.
If you are interested further, Discovery+ has five episodes (weekly scheduled) about Hammond’s restoration exploits. We hope to see more on this and especially a more detailed look at the motors which will go through the mill at the facility. Maybe we’ll get a look at something older and exotic like a Ferrari 250 or Lamborghini Miura in a future update.