Airfield Classic Cars Review

[MrC]

Just thought I'd give a quick thumbs up to Airfield Classic Cars situated by Dunkeswell airfield in SE Devon. Having recently moved to the area I was looking for somewhere to help get my new-to-me 1975 P6 3500 up to scratch after a few decades of low/no maintenance, and looked at them as they were pretty close.

Popped in for an initial visit and was shown around by the owner (Peter), discussed a few of their ongoing projects and capabilities, and labour rates given up front without me asking.

Having dropped the car off he's been giving me daily status updates with accrued hours, extra issues found and options to fix plus *loads* of WhatsApp images and videos of findings and fixes (so I don't need to keep popping out there to check on progress).

I gave them a long list of known issues which they've been methodically working through (incl suspected fuel leaks, driver's door card & lock, oil leaks, rotten non-functioning heater box, engine bay corrosion, loose & erratic wiper motor, etc, etc). They've been able to fabricate and repair items where feasible, or where items are unobtainable, and nothing seems too much work for them. Labour rate isn't too bad in this day and age, and they invoice weekly so no big bill at the end.

I'm not associated with them in any way other than as an ongoing happy customer, and certainly think they're worth considering if you live (or break down!) in the area and aren't in a position to carry out major work yourself, or perhaps need someone to quickly work through a long list of issues in a reasonable timeframe. Obviously there's a cost involved but I'm satisfied I'm getting reasonable value for money so happy to recommend them.

 

[harveyp6]

Sounds like a result.
No-one should work for nothing, but nobody deserves to be ripped off either.

 

[MrC]

Exactly - although the last image from them today wasn't too cheerful (they were taking the sump off to clean and to repair a large dent and I asked them to check the big ends and mains while they were there) and it looks like they'll be getting some more work from me in the not too distant future :-

 

[sdibbers]

Yuck! What sort of state are the journals in?

 

[MrC]

Not brilliant TBH. I need to have a chat with Airfield about next steps as will likely need crank reground and oversize mains - probably big ends as well although from the images they've sent through they actually don't look so bad:-



They've been apologetic as every time they undo something they find some other defect (eg timing chain & gears also now being replaced). Unfortunately when re-commissioning a 50 year old BL car you can expect to find some issues - just wish they weren't finding so many

I'd best not continue this thread in here as it's getting a bit off-topic

 

[harveyp6]

Big end shells don't look too bad at all, but that's the lower one, and the top shells wear most, because that's where the load is, and although the centre main is down to the copper, because it's the bottom shell, the top one will be better, and if the crank isn't scored it will probably be okay with replacement shells.