CMC expands into new premises

Classic Motor Cars is to move to new 60,000 square foot headquarters in Bridgnorth and take on more staff in the next year. Due to increased business, the company decided to expand in 2013 and the new building will be unveiled in the next few months.

The new building complex, which is being fitted out to the highest standards, will provide some 40,000 square feet of production space, including a dedicated showroom and new paint shop. Another 20,000 square feet will be provided for bespoke classic car storage. CMC is heavily involved in training and developing young engineers of the future and are working with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and the Guild of Specialist Engineers in developing apprenticeships for the restoration business. 

The company, which won the restoration of the year award in 2011 with the Lindner Nocker Lightweight, has a number of firsts under its belt including the first ever stretched Series 1 E-type and its unique trailer for an American client. Currently, it is working on a secret project for Jaguar Cars Design Director Ian Callum – the re-design of a 1962 Mk2, which will also be unveiled later in the year.

Nick Goldthorp, Managing Director of CMC, said: 'The restoration business in the UK as a whole is worth over £4.5bn to the UK’s economy; it employs some 28,000 people and is no longer a business that is solely run by a bunch of enthusiasts working out of lock up garages. We are still enthusiasts but have had to adopt modern business practises and attitudes to succeed in this very demanding industry.

'We have been training our own apprentices for the last seven years and have three young people learning restoration skills. These include a mechanical engineer, trimmer and automotive electrician. The only way that we can be sure of developing the business and having a long term skilled work force is by developing young people.'