Classic Car Restoration

At Larklands, we take immense pride in our expertise and knowledge, delivering top-level repairs on both modern and classic vehicles. While much of today’s automotive work focuses on contemporary cars, our business established in 1975 was founded on restoring and maintaining vehicles that are now celebrated as classics.

 

On top of our daily workload, we carry out several major restorations each year, bringing these cherished vehicles back to their former glory using the most advanced repair techniques and the latest products.

As a family-run business, we have an extensive collection of classic cars, each meticulously restored and hand-built at Larklands. Every year, we proudly display these vehicles at the Ilkeston Heritage & Classic Car Show, sharing our passion and craftsmanship with fellow enthusiasts and the wider community.

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Our founder Paul Bates continues to source and build classic vehicles well into his retirement, with a particular focus on Classic Minis, reflecting his roots in grass track racing during the 1970s and 1980s. This year though (2026), he completed a nut-and-bolt restoration on a Lotus Elan Plus 2, demonstrating his enduring dedication and hands-on expertise in bringing a variety of classic cars back to life.

At Larklands, we don’t just repair cars, we preserve history, and ensure every vehicle we touch receives the care and attention it deserves.