Peter Hondow To Debut New Car At Red CentreNATS

Specialising in the restoration of vintage vehicles, Peter's track record speaks for itself. Numerous cars restored by him, both for customers and his personal collection, have won accolades over the years at the event. For the past eight years, Peter has played an integral role in the Red CentreNATS, assisting with event entries and hosting the Aces of Eights car cruise. This year, we're in for a treat as he unveils one of his most ambitious projects.

Few have ever glimpsed this vehicle in its original factory condition, let alone in the form Peter's set to present on the Shannon’s Insurance stand at Red CentreNATS 09. Starting its journey as a 1935 Rolls Royce sedan imported from California by Chris Vaughn, the car is now nearly unrecognisable. Peter has dedicated on-and-off twelve years to this endeavour, pouring his heart and soul into crafting a unique masterpiece.

From the firewall back, the body has been reimagined. Entire sections are handcrafted, boasting smooth coupe lines. Among the body's many modifications are two seamlessly recessed wheel mounts in the front fenders, leading to suicide doors and extended, artistically shaped rear guards. The interior pays homage to the vehicle's lineage, incorporating original features but innovating where necessary, such as preserving the original hubs but fitting them with custom spokes.

Drawing from pure imagination, Peter elaborates, 

It's all conceptualised in my mind, with each fabricated section dictating the next in the design process. We're looking at almost 2000 hours of work, and there's still more to come."

Under the bonnet, while retaining the original engine, owner Chris had his heart set on triple carburettors, subsequently complemented by a Blower and Jackson supercharger. To achieve the desired stance, the body now sits with axles positioned 4 inches above the chassis, supported by a cable brake setup.

Considering this Rolls Royce was initially intended for a straightforward engine swap, it's evolved into something genuinely remarkable. Do yourself a favour and see this masterpiece up close at the Shannon’s Insurance stand in the elite pavilion during Red CentreNATS 09.