Classic Car Restoration Course in the UK
Classic Car Restoration Courses and Full Time Classes
Classic Car Restoration can be a most rewarding pastime. From taking a rusty old body, cutting out the rot and making it look as good as new with filler, primer and a top coat to a complete rewire of the electrical system. Minor and major projects alike, when accomplished appropriately give an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction. To help with your own restoration, why not attend a Full or Part Time class at your local College to point you in the right direction or hone your existing skills. The list below will hopefully help you to find a suitable course near you.
Leeds City College Full and Part Time Classes
Leeds City College boast their internationally award winning Classic Car Restoration Courses. The Leeds City College Courses Cover many of the necessary aspects of restoration including Mechanical (Engine, Gearbox and Transmission, Fuel and Ignition Systems, Cooling and Lubrication, Brakes and Steering Systems, Suspension Systems) and Electrical System Repairs, Welding (Oxy-acetelye, MIG, TIG), Painting (Surface Preparation, Filling, Feathering, Rust Prevention and Remedies, Priming, Top Coat, Polishing), Fibreglass Laminating, Timber Framing and Lead Loading. Leeds City College also hold their own 'Restoration Theatre' annually at the Classic Car Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham.
Full times courses, short courses and evening classes are offered. Prices vary depending on the course however the fees do not seem excessive when you consider the vast resources and expertise available to the student. The courses have run in one shape or another for over twenty years which demonstrates Leeds City Colleges' dedication, enthusiasm and passion to the Classic Motor Car.
As with most Classic Car Restoration Courses the work is primarily practical. Theory obviously plays a part in Motor Vehicle Restoration however as we can all appreciate Car Restoration is a hands on process. There is always a best practice for working on body repairs, electrical fault finding or other major jobs but no two repair jobs are ever the same. The need for learning a considered and professional approach to each a restoration job is therefore something we amateur restorers should embrace and understand. For the full time course Leeds City College provides a graded 'Certificate of Achievement' for students who complete the course.
Importantly, relevant aspects of Health and Safety are covered to provide students with a grounding in workshop safety.
Classic Car Bodywork
This RAC book is specifically written for the home restorer. Contains detailed sections on metal forming, welding and panel removal. Very well written and illustrated book.
Bolton College Evening and Day Time Classes
Bolton College too offer a hands on approach to Classic Car Restoration. Bolton provides specific projects related to a wide range of Classic Cars. Students are also encouraged to bring their own vehicles along to work on. Courses run during term time and in ten week block periods over the year. Students whose own projects exceed this time may book an additional ten week block.
Bolton Colleges' Horwich Centre offers Automotive Body Repair Certificate, Automotive Refinish Certificate, Car Maintenance for Beginners, Motor Vehicle ABC Certificate Level 1, Motor Vehicle Studies ABC Diploma Level 1, Vehicle Maintenance & Repair and An Introduction to Welding.
Fees range from £80 to around £850. Call the college on 01204 482000 directly for more information.
James Watt College, Greenock, Scotland
James Watt offers four Full Time Courses:
IMI Level 1 Car Body
Repair & Re-finishing
This course covers all aspects of car body accident repair,
restoration, and paint finishing and re-spraying.
IMI Level 2 Car Body
Repair & Re-finishing
This course covers all basic aspects of car body accident repair
restoration and paint finishing and is suitable to candidates
interested in car body repair/refinishing. The Level 2 Certificate,
like the Level 1 Award, has been designed in consultation with the
industry to provide the essential skills and underpinning knowledge
required to work within the automotive industry. The course is split
approximately 50% practical workshop activities and 50% theory
classroom work. The Level 2 Certificate provides the essential
knowledge for S/NVQ and has been endorsed as Technical Certificates by
the Automotive Skills Limited (ASL).
IMI Level 1 Car
Mechanics - Maintenance & Repair
The Level 1 Award encompasses the initial skills required to become a
craftsperson or technician in this occupational area. This course
contains the underpinning knowledge requirement of a Modern
Apprenticeship and is split approximately 50% practical workshop
activities and 50% theory classroom work. Successful progression will
allow progression to Level 2 Certificate. This course covers all
aspects of car maintenance and repair.
IMI Level 2 Car
Mechanics - Maintenance & Repair
The Level 2 Certificate, like the Level 1 Award, has been designed in
consultation with the industry to provide the essential skills and
underpinning knowledge required to work within the automotive industry.
The course is split approximately 50% practical workshop activities and
50% theory classroom work. The Level 2 Certificate provides the
essential knowledge for S/NVQ and has been endorsed as Technical
Certificates by the Automotive Skills Limited (ASL). This course covers
all aspects of car maintenance and repair.
No in it's 4th Edition, expert guidance from Haynes. An updated, practical guide to welding and cutting, rust treatment, body filling and body repair.
Step by Step Guide
This comprehensive book is a little pricey at nearly £59 new, however there are some great deals in the USED section around £15 including postage and packing.
Liverpool Community College
Vehicle Body Repair & Classic Car Restoration - Evening Classes for 36 Weeks
The course concentrates on the refurbishment of classic and cherished vehicles. All aspects of vehicle body repair and refurbishment are covered including fabrication and welding techniques, replacement of panels, joining processes, preparation prior to refinishing and forming processes. The students are encouraged to work on components belonging to their own vehicles. Call Liverpool Community College on 0151 252 3000 for more information.
College of North West London
Classic Car Restoration - Certificate Level 1. Part-time day over 36 weeks
This Classic Car Restoration course is designed for enthusiasts who wish to learn the skills to restore vehicles. You will learn how to fabricate a panel from a drawing, cut, shape and weld using different processes in our fully equipped workshops. This course will lead onto the restorations of projects such as the College's two Volkswagen Beetles.
The Manchester College
Basic Body Repair and Paint
The course provides a basic introduction into the basic body repaint of cars and motorbikes and is aimed at people not working in the industry who would like to know how to carry out simple body repairs and painting. This course will develop your skills in basic repair techniques for cars and motorbikes. You will learn how to carry out Basic panel repairs, Basic paint preparation, Basic paint spraying and custom paint spraying. For more information call 0800 068 8585.
Classic Car Restoration Courses have been offered at the colleges below at one time or another. Not sure if they are still running but maybe a good starting point if the above courses are not in your area.
Part Time Courses- Barnfield College, Luton, Bedfordshire
- Basingstoke College, Hants
- Bexley College, Belvedere, Kent
- Brooklands College, Weybridge, Surrey
- Eastbourne College of Art & Technology, East Sussex
- Greenwich College, London
- Mid Kent College, Maidstone, Kent
- North West London College, Willesden, London
- Reading College, Berkshire
- Southampton City College, Hampshire
- Bracknell & Wokingham College, Berkshire
- Colchester Institute, Colchester, Essex
- North West London College, Willesden, London