CAREER STORIES

Andrew and Paul Wood are twin brothers, and both of them were car and aircraft enthusiasts from a very early age.

Their father bought an Austin 8 when the brothers were 8 years old. They used to clean it for pocket money. Their father was a great Rolls-Royce enthusiast although could never afford one. At the age of 14 years, they purchased an Austin 7 for £15. To earn money for it, they chopped firewood and went around housing estates selling the firewood. An uncle offered to re-paint it for them if they prepared it. When it was done, the vehicle looked so nice, they started to do other work to it, which sparked their interest in restoring cars.

Andrew was an apprentice of Rolls-Royce motor cars service department in London and Paul worked there in the coachwork department. They started their business in Rolls-Royce and Bentley in 1967. Andrew looks after the mechanical and spare parts side of the business and Paul focusses on coachworks and sales.Their company now has grown to employing over 70 people and they always have more than 100 Rolls-Royce and Bentley’s in their care for work of all types. They are Rolls-Royce main dealers, Bentley service dealers and Rolls-Royce and Bentley heritage dealers. They are the only official dealers who work on the oldest models to the very latest new cars.They have always been supporters of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiast Club and Bentley Drivers Club. During the last 40 years, they have helped customers win over 200 major concours competitions. They love classic cars and enjoy the fact that there is always something new to learn. Modern motoring is not a lot of fun but to drive a classic car in the countryside is most enjoyable, for them.Their own collection of cars includes, two Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, a Bentley 4¼ Litre Vanden Plas Tourer and a Bentley S1 Continental Park Ward Drophead Coupe. Andrew has a collection of classic aircraft and racing motorcycles. Paul has a collection of Austin 7 and small cars as well as a classic motor boat.The most exciting restorations for them were the original Silver Ghost AX201 and the Rolls-Royce 10HP SU13. The most challenging were a total nut and bolt restoration on Phantom III’s and overhauling Merlin aero engines to fly.Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars are their passion, to them, these are the best cars in the world. They love classic cars that are fascinating in their own right and have a collection of some veteran cars including a 1901 Decauville 10HP and Stanley Steam car and they also have a 1912 Baker electric car.The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, Derby Bentleys, MK VI and R-Type variants and Bentley Continentals of the 1950’s are their personal favourites.