Shop Tour Retro Restoration
VW CAMPER & BUS|May 2019

It wasn’t easy, but we finally pinned the ever busy Neil Mabbley down for a chat about what they do and how

Gordie Woollacott
Shop Tour Retro Restoration

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…

Bu hikaye VW CAMPER & BUS dergisinin May 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye VW CAMPER & BUS dergisinin May 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

VW CAMPER & BUS DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
T5 Buyers Guide
VW CAMPER & BUS

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

time-read
8 dak  |
December 2019
Germany Calling
VW CAMPER & BUS

Germany Calling

Cycling and sight-seeing whilst taking in plenty of history along the way.

time-read
9 dak  |
December 2019
Village Bus
VW CAMPER & BUS

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!

time-read
5 dak  |
December 2019
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit
VW CAMPER & BUS

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

time-read
6 dak  |
December 2019
Family 'Wagen
VW CAMPER & BUS

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

time-read
5 dak  |
December 2019
Status Cymbal
VW CAMPER & BUS

Status Cymbal

When drummer Nick Robin’s AA card was taking too much of a beating it was time to visit VW Downunder

time-read
6 dak  |
Spring 2018
I Is For Industrial
VW CAMPER & BUS

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…

time-read
7 dak  |
Spring 2018
Still Doin' It
VW CAMPER & BUS

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

time-read
4 dak  |
Spring 2018
The Freddy Files
VW CAMPER & BUS

The Freddy Files

Paul Knight whisks us along a fun-filled, 36-hour road trip to the Freddy Files show in Ninove, Belgium

time-read
5 dak  |
Spring 2018
Readers' Rides
VW CAMPER & BUS

Readers' Rides

Your pride and joy is our delight to share, so here they are

time-read
2 dak  |
August 2018