THE ULTIMATE TRIUMPH

With the first anniversary of the incorporation of the Vault Europe now behind us, it’s hard in the heat of the moment to truly take stock of our achievements during the course of the year.

I’m ever grateful for the opportunity to be part of the team here, and stand poised in anticipation of 2025. We have grand plans and ambitious goals for the Vault Europe, centred around growth of our business, increasing capacity and developing the strategies by which we offer our clients the very best service and workmanship in the sector.

But Christmas is also a good opportunity to take a breather, recuperate and reflect on just some of those achievements. Behind the scenes and between my own ears, with support from the team, my vision for the Vault workshop was one where ‘stuff just gets done’. We’ve achieved our aim of being very easy to deal with, uncomplicated, straightforward delivery of the best quality workmanship in the sector. There’s rigorous quality control and we strive to meet standards that both clients and the market expects - it’s notable that over the last fifteen years or so, expectations from the classic car sector have never been higher.

My highlight, the project that we finished that brought me the most personal satisfaction, was by a fine margin, the beautiful metallic grey TR6 from a previous posting. Keen followers of my online output through the Vault social media platforms - and any of you that have stood still long enough for me to bore close to tears - will know my history and personal affection for the Triumph TR6. Finishing this very bespoke TR for such a good friend of mine was deeply meaningful, and seeing it leave the Vault shop and go immediately on high school prom duty was the icing on the cake. We’re a hairs breath away from completion of a second TR too - negotiating the sale of a third from another friend of mine to a new client, and we welcomed representatives of the TR Register to us in the Summer this year… There are more coveted, better designed and built sports cars in the world, but none that mean quite as much to me.

The continued development of the Racing Onion - the fastest Austin A35 in the West - reached another high point just a few days ago, on our quest to build the perfect A35, driven daily.

Tight, uprated suspension providing adequate support in hard cornering, remaining supple enough to cope with British B roads; powerful enough to cruise at 70mph, gearing tailored to the requirements of the 1275cc engine; brakes that work, a clutch that works with the tricky mechanical setup these cars have; minimal outward clues of the wolf that hides beneath the sheep-like exterior - it now feels as the car Austin could have made in period - a GTi version perhaps, or Super Veloce.

I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed bring the Spectre R42 back to life - ultra rare ’90’s British Supercar, the Ford and Audi sourced components were easier to obtain once identified, the bespoke Spectre components less so, and of course, there’s no schematic for the assembly of a car like that.

Some parts had to be fabricated and machined in-house, some custom made - the rear brake discs, for example. The job encompassed detective work, as well as all aspects of the classic motor trade; electrical work, fabrication, trimming et cetera. We managed to track down members of the original build team, one of which could furnish us with ‘new old stock’ door glass. With the last remaining components now in hand, this project should be on the road ready for the turn of the better weather in 2025. 

I’m looking out of the window at our current ‘live job’ on the ramp - the mighty 1966 Chevrolet C10. This car has an unbelievable specification, including crate Chevy engine with something approximating 500BHP, air suspension, bespoke-blooming-everything. The job so far is a dry build before it goes to paint - and the car is a good example of how our wider network comest together to deliver projects like this. We’re working with Arthur and the crew at Concours Classics on the paint, which they will take on after our dry build, and before we reassemble it for the final time. 

The Vault also welcomed two new members to the team through 2024, Jamie Barker as an engineer in the workshop and George Kersey, our first apprentice. We work with the Heritage Skills Academy at Bicester Heritage, which will be providing the college based aspects of his training. 

We look to 2025 to continue business development and fully establish ourselves as the up and coming market disruptors, challenging the major players in the industry and consistently providing a service that others should aspire to.

I’d also like to extend thanks to every member of our blossoming community for your support in our inaugural year.

To the clients that have followed me through thick and thin, and allowed me the privilege of continuing to work with you at the Vault. The new clients for coming on board - it’s been a pleasure to get to know you all. Our wider network including Kath - for taking care of our interior trim requirements; Arthur, Tom and Chris at Concours Classics for consistently excellent paint and bodywork services - it’s been a real pleasure to watch my former apprentice develop a business of high standing, and become an important part of our ecosystem. To my wife, for supporting me at home, allowing me the freedom to do what I have to do to contribute to the success of the Vault, and for giving up your own free time to support me in keeping the working bays clean, tidy and polished. To the team here at the Vault, for your expertise and infectious enthusiasm. And finally, to Alex Tarry - our director, my mentor, friend, colleague and brother in arms, giving us - the actors, the Royal Albert Hall of stages on which to perform.