It wasn’t easy, but we finally pinned the ever busy Neil Mabbley down for a chat about what they do and how
How did you get started with Retro Resto?
I always worked on VWs as a bit of a hobby with my mate, Rich Jones. In 2008 my sister had her Bay restored by quite a reputable company, but when I looked at the work, I realised the finish I was achieving in what I thought as a hobby was actually better than some professional work. Rich and I undid a lot of the welding and actually removed a lot of rust and then decided to go into business.
So you both just quit your jobs and went for it?
Well, I did! Rich worked part-time for the first few years although we really approached it the wrong way early on. By 2014 we were so busy that Rich was able to come on full-time. We also employed Leon Taylor who deals mostly with the prep work and anything else we throw his way.
What did you do that was so wrong?
I guess we were just trying to cram too much in and not turn any kind of work down. We were welding for MoTs, doing mechanical repairs as well as paint jobs and full restorations. That’s when we decided to restore my Grey ‘68 Beetle as a showcase for our work and display it at the 2013 VolksWorld Show.
A grey ’68 Beetle? Don’t remember seeing it…
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2019-Ausgabe von VW CAMPER & BUS.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2019-Ausgabe von VW CAMPER & BUS.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
T5 Buyers Guide
If you want a large, practical VW you can stamp your mark on and drive daily, perhaps it’s time you look at buying a T5? Here’s what you need to check
Germany Calling
Cycling and sight-seeing whilst taking in plenty of history along the way.
Village Bus
A RHD Barndoor Deluxe Bus is an incredibly rare and very desirable vehicle and Carl Elliott’s superb ’54 is perhaps the best example anywhere in the world!
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit
As the saying goes, it’s only original once. Fortunately, this retired fruit pickers Bus had been left to ripen in a farmer’s barn
Family 'Wagen
What do you do when you have a kick-ass Ghia but a large family? Simple. You build a kick-ass Bay Window Microbus as well
Status Cymbal
When drummer Nick Robin’s AA card was taking too much of a beating it was time to visit VW Downunder
I Is For Industrial
While the best place for an air-cooled VW engine will always be in the back of a VW, the industrial variants have ended up in many unexpected places as well. Including a very big gun…
Still Doin' It
After a hard working life, three engines and two restorations, you’d think this Pick-up had earned its retirement. Not quite
The Freddy Files
Paul Knight whisks us along a fun-filled, 36-hour road trip to the Freddy Files show in Ninove, Belgium
Readers' Rides
Your pride and joy is our delight to share, so here they are
