British Restoration Corp.

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  • Intro
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  • Location
  • Reviews
  • +1 917-257-3410
  • britishrestorationcorp.com
  • 2231 E Ontario St, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA

Operating Hours

Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

British Restoration Corp. Introduce

British Restoration Corp. stands as a distinguished entity within the "Auto Repair Stations" category, but with a highly specialized focus: the meticulous restoration and expert maintenance of classic British automobiles. Unlike a general auto repair shop, British Restoration Corp. caters to a discerning clientele of classic car enthusiasts, offering services that go far beyond routine oil changes to encompass complete, ground-up restorations of iconic British marques. Their commitment is to bring these cherished vehicles back to, or even beyond, their original glory, combining historical accuracy with modern reliability when desired.

The environment at British Restoration Corp. is not that of a typical, fast-paced general auto repair station. Instead, it is akin to a bespoke atelier or a specialized fabrication studio. One can expect to find a highly organized and pristine workshop, where the air of craftsmanship is palpable. Tools and equipment are specialized for working with vintage vehicles, and the shop is likely designed to facilitate complex, multi-stage restoration projects. This often includes dedicated areas for metal fabrication, bodywork, intricate paint booths with climate control, and engine assembly rooms. The attention to detail in the physical space mirrors the precision applied to the vehicles themselves. It is an environment where heritage is respected, and every component, no matter how small, is handled with care. The atmosphere is one of focused dedication, where a team of skilled artisans and technicians meticulously bring classic cars back to life. It is not uncommon to see various stages of restoration simultaneously, from bare chassis awaiting bodywork to fully painted shells ready for assembly. The waiting area, if distinct, might feature displays of previous work, awards, or historical automotive artifacts, further immersing clients in the world of classic British motoring.

The services offered by British Restoration Corp. are exceptionally comprehensive and tailored specifically for classic British vehicles such as Jaguar, Aston Martin, Austin Healey, MG, Triumph, and other iconic models. Their expertise extends across every facet of a classic car, ensuring that both mechanical and aesthetic aspects are addressed with unparalleled precision. Key services include:

  • Full "Nut and Bolt" Restorations: This is their flagship service, involving the complete disassembly of a vehicle, restoration or replacement of every component, and reassembly to factory specifications or beyond. This includes chassis restoration, bodywork, paint, and interior refurbishment.
  • Metal Fabrication and Bodywork: Expert capabilities in repairing and fabricating custom metal panels to restore original body lines and address corrosion, often utilizing traditional coachbuilding techniques. This also includes show-quality paint services with computerized color matching.
  • Engine and Drivetrain Overhauls: Comprehensive rebuilding of classic engines, including carburetor rebuilds and adjustments, engine tune-ups, and upgrading components for enhanced reliability and performance. This can also involve 5-speed conversions for improved drivability.
  • Electrical System Restoration: Addressing the often complex and sometimes problematic electrical systems of vintage cars, including complete rewiring, fuse and relay upgrades, and ensuring all electrical components function correctly.
  • Interior Restoration: Complete refurbishment of vehicle interiors, including upholstery, seats, carpets, dashboards, and soft tops, often using period-correct materials and techniques.
  • Suspension and Braking System Upgrades: While maintaining authenticity, they can also incorporate modern braking and suspension components to enhance safety and handling, often through respectful modifications that do not detract from the classic aesthetic.
  • Pre-Purchase Inspections and Consultations: Providing expert evaluations for potential buyers of classic British cars, assessing their condition and offering advice on restoration potential.
  • Regular Maintenance and Repair: For classic cars that are already restored or well-preserved, they offer specialized maintenance and repair services to keep them in optimal running condition.
  • Classic Car Sales: Beyond restoration, they also buy and sell fully restored classic British cars from their inventory, offering a turnkey solution for enthusiasts looking to acquire a high-quality vintage vehicle.

Their specialization ensures that every service is performed with an understanding of the unique engineering and historical context of these specific automobiles.

Several features make British Restoration Corp. a distinguished choice for classic British car owners. Foremost is their profound specialization and decades of experience; having performed "over 450 full restorations" over "more than 30 years," their expertise in British marques like Jaguar, Aston Martin, Austin Healey, and MG is unparalleled. This depth of experience often means they can rescue cars from other restoration shops that were unable to complete the work to a satisfactory standard. A significant feature is their unique "production line" method for restoring British cars, which allows them to deliver "finest quality fit and finish in less time, and more economically" than many competitors. They emphasize "fixed pricing," which provides clients with peace of mind and prevents the common issue of escalating costs seen in many restoration projects. The commitment to restoring vehicles "back to factory specs" while also offering options for "Resto-Mod" (blending classic aesthetics with modern performance enhancements) showcases their versatility. Their team often consists of highly skilled fabricators, painters, and mechanics, many of whom may be British-born and trained, bringing authentic knowledge to the craft. Furthermore, they offer "free estimates" and invite potential clients to visit their shop for a personal tour, highlighting their transparency and confidence in their work. Their pride in their craftsmanship is evident in their motto of keeping "standards high above any standards" and their strong commitment to customer satisfaction.

Promotional information for a specialized service like British Restoration Corp. tends to differ from general auto repair stations. Instead of broad discounts, their promotions are often tied to the value of their unique expertise and customer assurance. Key promotional aspects highlighted include: "Free Estimates," which is crucial for clients considering a significant investment like a full restoration; "Fixed Pricing," a powerful incentive that removes the uncertainty of fluctuating costs inherent in complex projects; and the emphasis on their track record of "over 450+ successful restorations" over "three decades," which serves as a testament to their quality and reliability. They also promote their ability to "rescue cars from other restorers," positioning themselves as the solution for projects that have gone awry elsewhere. While not typical "promotions" in the conventional sense of coupons, these assurances of quality, experience, and predictable pricing are significant selling points for their target audience. Their presence at classic car shows, word-of-mouth referrals, and showcasing their completed masterpieces are also vital forms of promotion. For those interested, directly contacting British Restoration Corp. is recommended to discuss specific project needs and inquire about their detailed process and any current offerings for a classic car restoration.

British Restoration Corp. Location

British Restoration Corp. Customer Reviews

DO NOT USE THIS SHOP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Working with them was the absolute worst vendor experience I have had in my life, and it cost m tens of thousands of dollars of time and money. I contracted with BRC in early 2022 for a full restoration of an Austin Healey 3000. The contract they provided, which was clear though poorly written (should have been a clue), was for a "full ground up restoration" and committed that "completion of the restoration should be within ten to twelve months" with a "parts warranty for 90 days". The shop was completely unresponsive to requests for updates, including e-mails, phone calls, voice mails, and text messages. They would go months at a time without answering the phone or returning messages, and failed to provided committed samples to enable selection of interior trim. This required me to take off multiple days of work and make numerous trips to Philadelphia in order to contact them and see my car, which would also go months without any discernable progress. When the car was finally "completed" after two and a half years it contained multiple options that were not selected in my contract and BRC's owner, Huy, attempted to charge me extra for them, even though I had not authorized and did not want them. The car also had numerous defects, costing me thousands of additional dollars to correct and/o replace, since BRC would not respond nor honor their contracted warranty. To be clear, I chose the shop on the reputation of their now former owner, who sold the shop to Huy and his family, who had been long-time employees. They no longer have any sort of mechanic on staff and contract for all mechanical work, while really just focusing on body work. The shop has clearly gone downhill and is consistently filthy, disorganized, and even poorly lit. It seems that the staff have also suffered several significant health issues between 2022-2024 which is unfortunate but not an excuse for taking customers' money and holding onto it for more than 2 years. I would never do business with BRC again and would recommend that anyone considering them for any work on any sort of vehicle steer clear of this disaster of a shop.

Jan 01, 2025 · Daniel Hays (US)

I contracted with this company in December of 2019 to restore my 1967 Austin Healey and removed my car from the premises almost 2 years later as almost no work had been done, the work that had been done was shoddy,and I was lied to at every step of the " restoration" process . Zero customer service, the phone was not answered for literally months at a time, the shop was filthy and disorganized and I was given innumerable excuses as to why the work had not progressed. I spoke to other current customers and their experience was exactly the same. I would not let this company do so much as an oil change on my car. My car is currently being completed at another shop and the difference is night and day. I would say dealing with BMC was the single worst business experience I have had in my entire life.

Jun 02, 2022 · Rand Werbitt

Bought an 1966 Austin Healey BJ8 from an individual who had work done recently at British Motor Corp in Philadelphia.When I received the car from the seller I had it looked at by a reputable Healey mechanic and found out some of the work just done needed some rework. I called Knut Holzer at British Motor Works and let him know the situation. Because I lived a good distance from Philadelphia I asked if I could get the work done locally. He agreed and reimbursed me for the work . Individuals like this are hard to find these days but when you do find them it renews your faith in human nature. I would never think about buying another Austin Healey or any other high end sports car from any place other than British Motor works and you shouldn't either. A pleasure to do business with. Mike Sutton Beaufort,S.C.

Feb 27, 2014 · Mike Sutton

BRC helped me out with a small job on my MG and I got excellent service. I also got to see the beautiful work they were doing on several Austin Healeys.

Aug 09, 2022 · Allen Hanford

Had them repaint my car. Attention to detail is top notch

Apr 21, 2023 · C Ng

Had them repaint my car. Attention to detail is top notch

Apr 21, 2023 · C Ng