Prestige specialist Hilton & Moss opened its new headquarters on 31 March. Inside the imposing 75,000sq ft block of steel and glass in Bishop’s Stortford, a Healey, vintage AA sign and H&M-liveried Morris Mini-Minor pick-up sit in front of sliding wooden doors. Ahead of them is an impressive, two-level showroom, with a vast service and body-repair shop – also split across two floors – all beneath a top level devoted to storing 150 cars in climate-controlled comfort.
The facility promises ‘five-star’ care, from purchase to servicing and restoration, and certainly looks equipped to deliver. Fortunately, the slight whiff of the corporate is dispelled by the enthusiasm of Hilton Group founder Peter Hilton who, on launch day, filled the showroom with many of his own classics. “We got talking one day about the perfect premises, and 10 years later here we are,” says Paul Underdown, head of business at Hilton Coachworks.
The good news for those who aren’t seduced by the idea of barista coffee in the gleaming showroom is that there’s also an invitation to follow your car into the similarly spotless workshop. Having absorbed Bespoke Performance, Castle Motors and the TVR Centre, Hilton & Moss remains very much enthusiast-led. “Our first question for new recruits is: ‘Do you like cars?’,” confirms head of sports cars Graham McNichol from the new 10-bay-plus restoration shop.
“The quality has always been there,” says Hilton (above). “We just need to work out the efficiency. But I’m very proud of what we have here.” See hiltonandmoss.com
HEALEYS FIND A NEW HOME
Bill Rawles Classic Cars opened its revamped workshop on 2 April near Alresford, Hampshire. In weather ranging from glorious sunshine to snow, the party attracted more than 150 vehicles to the site. Just six miles down the road from its previous premises, the new headquarters is twice the size, and the larger grounds include another building that will host a showroom and café in the future. The team has also grown, with three extra staff bringing the total to 16. Donald Healey’s grandson Peter cut the ribbon to open the site and 400 guests enjoyed music, tours, local beer and a hog roast. There will be more events later in the year, including ‘Natters and Nibbles’ on the first Sunday of the month: see rawlesclassiccars.co.uk
