Category: Restoration

Richard Mullin Coachbuilding performs complete restorations from body to chassis, mechanical and upholstery. All metal work is done in house as well as the detail, paint and assembly. We have a long time affiliation with an award winning upholsterer and mechanical subcontractors, each one dealing with specific marques. The combined effort of such uniquely talented craftsmen culminates in the finest  restorations.

Our vintage radiator restoration is quite varied. We can supply and install authentic cartridge (honeycomb) style, film style, V Sell, and modern R type radiator (tube) cores. Specializing in various materials from brass, copper, German silver, and stainless steel, we can repair and replicate all styles of vintage radiators using original techniques and equipment.
All radiators are metal finished and can be supplied with raw, painted, polished or plated surfaces. With our innovative in house capabilities we are often able to install modern high efficiency cores in vintage radiators to help accommodate retro-fitted air conditioning.

Keeping with traditional coachbuilding skills, we are highly experienced in the fabrication and repair of vintage wooden body framing. Only the highest quality white ash is used combined with new hardware and advanced bonding materials. This advanced bonding technology is used to provide a strong structure that is still able to move with changing climate and road use.

1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration

1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration

Demonstrates structural repairs to be indistinguishable from original.

  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
    Body shell of Porsche 911s being sanded and prepared for etch primer after having been dipped.
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
    A protective coat of etch primer applied to vehicle as metal work is to proceed.
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
    Major rust sections on Porsche 911s removed prior to dip.
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
    Newly installed motor mount supports for Porsche 911s.
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
    Newly installed rear shelf and seat pans. A total of 14 parts welded as per original and metal finished prior to etch primers.
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
    Installation of a few of the front structural panels required for the Porsche 911s.
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
    Newly installed front pan, lower structure with suspension mounts and reinforcement, lower side walls. Welded as per original and lead finished as needed.
  • 1967 Porsche 911s Begins Restoration
1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction

1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction

This post demonstrates our woodworking skills in reconstructing a coach built vehicle.

  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Preparing wooden body of 1934 Rolls-Royce for repairs.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Removal of rear face of Rolls-Royce.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Development of rear wooden face from ash.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Development of rear body of 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Completed rear face and repaired hatches.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Completed new wooden roof structure of Rolls-Royce.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Repaired lattice roof insert with ash slats.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Lattice roof insert installed in 1934 Rolls-Royce for final fitting
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Development of left side cowl and “A” pillar.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Completed development of cowl wooden structure.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Completed sides with new insert panels, horizontal stays and belt line.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Set up on milling machine to radius length of new running boards.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Newly constructed running boards for 1934 Roll-Royce.
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce Wood Reconstruction
    Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration

    Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration

    Images of restoration of Porsche 356 Speedster demonstrating our sheet metal fabrication and metal finishing skills.

    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
      Newly fabricated dash of Porsche 356 being fitted.
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
      Newly skinned hood metal finished.
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
      Fitting front sheet metal of Porsche 356 Speedster.
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
      Fitting fabricated cowl of Porsche 356 Speedster with windshield assembly.
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
      Welding new sheet metal together.
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
      Metal finishing front sheet metal of Porsche 356 Speedster. Lead fitting to new door skins, hood skin, cowl, fender and nose.
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
      Completed metal work. Porsche 356 Speedster ready for primer.
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
    • Porsche 356 Speedster Restoration
      Porsche Cayman Race Car

      Porsche Cayman Race Car

      This post demonstrates use of composites, steel fabrication, and metal finishing.

      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Grafting carbon fiber louvered panel into carbon fiber fender of Porsche Cayman Race Car.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Completed fender and front bumper carbon fiber repair of Porsche Cayman.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Mock up of new carbon fiber rear quarter panels and bumper of Porsche Cayman.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Collision structural repair and fabricated widened steel wheel house for extended carbon fiber wheel flares.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Metal finished structural repair of Porsche Cayman.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Left quarter fitted to fabricated metal finished structure and fabricated wheel house of Porsche Cayman.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Right quarter fitted to fabricated metal finished structure and fabricated wheel house.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Metal finished newly installed rocker panel.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
        Completed work ready for paint.
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car
      • Porsche Cayman Race Car

      AC Bristol Body Restoration

      AC Bristol Body Restoration

      AC Bristol Body Restoration.

      Our projects continue with an AC Bristol body restoration demonstrating use of hammer forms and English wheel and skills in shaping and metal finishing.

      Damaged AC Bristol set up for preliminary measuring in preparation for body restoration.
      AC Bristol body restoration showing inside view of newly fabricated forward tubular structure with original skin fitted.
      This is a wooden hammer form for creating nose panel with grill in the AC Bristol body restoration.
      AC Bristol body restoration highlighting newly formed aluminum panel in hammer form.
      Grill fitted into newly formed panel of AC Bristol body restoration.
      Hammer form in AC Bristol body restoration used to create headlamp sections.
      Shaping new upper nose panel on English wheel for AC Bristol body restoration.
      Right fender trimmed and prepared for new headlamp section in process of AC Bristol body restoration.
      AC Bristol body restoration showing newly fabricated right headlamp section welded into position.
      Newly fabricated right and left headlamp sections welded and metal finished in AC Bristol body restoration.
      Fitting newly fabricated forward nose section in AC Bristol body restoration.
      AC Bristol body restoration continues showing new nose section with grill fitted into opening.
      Newly fabricated forward nose section welded into position in AC Bristol body restoration.
      Newly welded section metal finished in AC Bristol body restoration.
      Test fitting upper nose panel during shape development of AC Bristol body restoration.

      Lamborghini Miura Restoration

      Lamborghini Miura Restoration

      Lamborghini Miura Restoration

      This project begins a series on a Lamborghini Miura restoration highlighting fabrication, metal finishing, lead finishing and use of an English wheel.

      Lamborghini Miura body on dolly as it arrived in preparation for full restoration.
      Stripping paint and filler to evaluate condition of Lamborghini Miura body.
      Lamborghini Miura showing front lid with skin removed and steel framework repaired. Aluminum wheel houses reshaped on English Wheel.
      Lamborghini Miura right door louvers repaired and fully TIG braised to close open seams.
      Louvers after filing back brass in preparation for lead finishing.
      Lamborghini Miura lead finished louvers.
      All rusted lap seams cut back and TIG braised shut in preparation for lead finishing.
      Lead finished door box on Lamborghini Miura.
      Metal finished roof panel and lead fitted openings of Lamborghini Miura.
      Lead finished cowl, windshield frame, and door for uniform fit.