Meet the Team

Gary – Director and Chief Painter

I’m Gary, Director and Chief Painter here at Common Lane Restorations. I’ve always had a passion for working with cars—what started as a mechanic’s role quickly shifted into painting and bodywork, which came naturally to me. After gaining hands-on experience and running my own business, I teamed up with James to create what is now Common Lane Restorations, combining our skills to take classic car restoration to the next level.

No two days are the same for me—I spend my time prepping and painting classic cars, handling repairs on modern vehicles, advising customers, and basically solving whatever problems come through the doors. Whether it’s a rare Hillman or a beloved Ford, I treat every car with care and pride.

My first car was a Datsun 100A, which was a bit of a rust bucket and definitely a learning curve! These days, I’ve got a soft spot for all the cars I own, but my dream ride would be a 1966 Mustang convertible! 

What I love most is that I get to do what I’m passionate about every single day. Even if I won the lottery, I wouldn’t give this up. I’m especially proud of the restorations we’ve completed that now live overseas in places like Norway, the USA, and Australia—not to mention those featured in magazines. It’s a real testament to the craftsmanship and dedication we pour into every project.

James – Director & Classic Car Bodywork Specialist

I’m James, one of the directors here at Common Lane Restorations, where I focus on what I love most: perfecting the bodywork of classic cars. From jigging and aligning panels to shaping and sanding panels until they’re just right—I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to getting things ready for paint.

My journey into restoration began during university, where I was studying Mechanical Engineering. But on weekends, I was hands-on in the workshops of Mike Horner and Bob West—two of the UK’s foremost MGA experts. It didn’t take long for me to realise I'd rather be working with classic cars full time than behind a desk. So after graduating, I went self-employed, restoring MGs (especially MGAs) and developing a real reputation for precision and detail.

Starting Common Lane Restorations was about independence—the freedom to do things properly and uphold the highest standards. These days, my average day could include welding, reshaping bodywork, working directly with customers, or even trimming an interior—just don’t ask me to pick up a spray gun!

My first car was a 1963 MGB. Ironically, I never actually drove it thanks to insurance headaches, but it certainly sparked something. If money were no object, I’d have a Mk1 1275S Mini Cooper—blame The Italian Job for that.

One of my proudest achievements? Working on “Works” cars and seeing them compete at some of the most prestigious classic motorsport events in the world—Goodwood, Mille Miglia, Classic Le Mans. There’s nothing quite like seeing something you've restored take the track in style.

Adam – Paint Sprayer & Bodyshop Operative

I’ve been part of the team here since I was 16, starting out as the Saturday lad, just soaking in everything I could about classic cars. A few years later, Common Lane Restorations offered me a full-time apprenticeship as a paintwork technician—an opportunity I jumped at.

Since then, I’ve completed my Level 3 qualification in vehicle damage paintwork and earned my Novol Golden Partner accreditation after training at their headquarters in Poland. I’m still learning every day, expanding my skills while working on everything from modern motors to timeless classics—though my heart’s firmly with the latter.

My day-to-day includes all things bodywork and prep, but nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing a beautifully restored classic roll out of the workshop. I even spend weekends here working on my own classic Mini—because when you love what you do, it never really feels like work. 

And my dream car? It’s a Mk1 850 Mini. Why would you want anything else?

Nicola – Director & Finance Administrator

I'm Nicola, co-founder and Director of Common Lane Restorations. I started the company to support Gary’s lifelong passion for classic cars and help turn his dream of restoring them into a reality. My role covers everything from finance to planning work schedules, and I love the variety—especially getting to meet our customers and learning more about the incredible cars we work on.

My own classic car journey started with a Citroën Visa, which quickly became a group project—my friends were always taking it apart (everything clipped on and off!), and Gary was the one constantly putting it back together. Looking back, it seems fitting that we’ve built a business around fixing cars—only now, they’re true classics with stories worth preserving.

the Real Bosses of the Workshop!

Keeping morale high and floors crumb-free, say hello to our workshop dogs.

Axel – The gentle giant German Shepherd who keeps watch over the yard (and everyone’s sandwiches). Calm, loyal, and always ready for a head scratch. But don’t be deceived, he turns into a fur-ocious guard dog once the sun goes down!