Spotlight on: Tyrrell's Classic Workshop

The Aston Lark Classic Motor Trade team interviewed Iain Tyrrell of ‘Tyrrell’s Classic Workshop’ on how he started working on classic motors, his most unusual restoration and what the future holds for classic cars.

What was your first classic car – what do you remember most about it?

It was a Mini Mk1 850, which was a day older than me. I’m not sure it had reached “classic” status by then though! My father paid £50 for it for my 16^th birthday, and I hand coach-painted it red with a white roof a la Monte Mini, and was as proud as punch of it. But it did turn into a swimming pool every time it rained. I wouldn’t have changed that early experience for the world!

Was it always your dream to work with classics?

I originally wanted to be a car designer and studied Technical Drawing and Graphic Art to A-Level. Then I got offered a job as a trainee mechanic in an R-R and Bentley service workshop. I now feel quite old, because cars that were still near contemporary then weren’t classics yet, but now they are. So it happened by accident in a way.

How did you start/get into classic car restorations?

When I started my first business, Tyrrell Engineering, in 1984, I walked into a guy’s office in Birkenhead. He had a Ferrari Dino 246 parked outside. I simply said to him: “If I can persuade you that I know what I’m doing, will you let me look after your Dino?”

I left him my card, and two weeks later he called me – it had dropped a valve! He towed the car to me, and it turned into a full restoration. It went on from there…

What about “the one that got away” – what car have you not owned but you wish you had – and why?

How long have you got? I was extremely fortunate to buy a lovely Lamborghini Espada from a customer who I looked after it for in 1987. But of course, I wish it was a Lamborghini Miura instead!

What is the most unusual car you have ever worked on – and what made it so?

A Montiverdi 375 Coupe. They are very rare indeed. It had the Chrysler 440 Cubic Inch (7.2 Litre) engine, same as the later Jensen Interceptors, but they’d got the exhaust just right – it sounded beautiful.

With a similar recipe, but very different outcome, a Bristol 412. That car looked truly ugly to my eyes, but boy did it drive well. I was shocked!

What are your thoughts on the future of classic cars with more people retrofitting electric engines?

I’m first and foremost an engine tuner, and for me the electrification doesn’t work in a classic. It’s taking the heart and soul out of it. It’s like listening to your favourite music, without the instruments. Yes, they are quick, but that’s it. In my opinion, moving forward, the environmental argument has to be very strong indeed for EV tech to work in a classic. Modern cars as everyday transport from A to B yes, classics no.

If the laws do ultimately get so draconian that electric classics are the only way to keep them on the road in 20 years, well I guess I’ll have to relent!

If you share Iain’s love of classic cars and you’re looking for classic car insurance, either as a trader, restorer or a collector, or looking to insure your historic vehicle club, speak to our team today on 01252 377 546 or request a call back.