Restoration Shop Tour
A group of us recently had a tour of a sweet restoration shop in Connecticut, Automotive Restorations Inc (ARI). ARI is well known for their engine and component work on quality vintage cars.
The shop is divided into departments; mechanical, metal and fabrication, paint and finish, upholstery, and wood and coach trim. They offer vintage race services (track support) so a driver can arrive and drive at the track like the pros do. ARI also provides collector car services for the concourse inclined clientele, which might include finding the right car, getting it sorted correctly, and assisting in bringing it to and presenting at various shows.
ARI had a variety of interesting projects in the works, notably an unrestored Pegaso soon to begin a refurb. They had recently finished a Pegaso for the same owner. Both cars were at the Amelia Island Concours in March 2016 for the Pegaso reunion. One does not see Pegasos every day, never mind two. Nor the two fabulous Cisitalias on the floor.
Let’s take a look at what was in ARI’s restoration shop
Unrestored 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Coupe Saoutchik Berlinetta Prototype
A fully restored 1958 Pegaso Z-102 B (103) Coupe #0112
Read more about this car’s journey at Pegaso 102B
Bugatti Type: 49 Chassis No: 49534, Coachwork: Henri Labourdette
1968 Ferrari 330 GTS in verde
BMW 3.0 CSI
Mercedes Benz 250 SE
1961 Mercedes Benz 190 SL
BMW 2002 Turbo
BMW 2800 CS
Toyota Land Cruiser
One of two rare Cisitalias in the shop; 1951 Cisitalia 202SC Pinninfarina Spyer
1947 Cisitalia 202. It is equipped with Boranni wire wheels unlike most of the 202 series cars Vignale bodied for Cisitalia. A very clean look, it never had bumpers
1923 Rolls Royce Riviera Town Car
Alfa Romeo 2600
1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 sn# 6405
1967 Eldorado Fleetwood Convertible Cadillac with flashy interior
1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster; Class Award at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Volvo 1800S
Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 in white/white. The sheepskin seatcovers are a perfect accessory
Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce
Alfa Romeo 1900 Super in the race shop
Also in the race shop; a Lotus Elan S2 and a 1966 NSU (Motorenwerke) Spider
Ferrari 250 GT/E
Yikes
Ferrari 250 GT/E in the back of the shop
Porsche 356
Project
