WORLD FAMOUS IN NEW ZEALAND

This long-established and world-renowned Christchurch business might boast old-world skills and esoteric tools like English wheels and leather sandbags, but the clearly delineated specialist workshop areas, and general air of efficiency are more akin to a modern car dealership. It’s just that the work is so much more interesting and varied.

And it’s getting more varied. Auto Restorations has racked up a staggering 17 wins for its restorations at some of the world’s most prestigious concours events like Pebble Beach and Amelia Island, so its bays are still full of Ferraris, Bugattis, and other exotica shipped in from overseas for ground-up restorations. But these days they are just as likely to share floor space with a 105 Alfa Guilia or an FJ Holden. Or modern Bentleys and Aston Martins coming in for servicing. Today electronic diagnostic tools are just as much a part of Auto Restorations’ armoury as wooden bucks and planishing hammers.

Managing director Michael Pidgeon says the firm is best-known for its work on top-end pre- and post-war cars, but its portfolio is moving with the times. The owners of those hand-built cars are aging, and some of their earlier vigour and passion for