BEATING A PATH TO PERFECTION

A penchant for panelbeating has evolved into a fullscale restoration business that doesn't cut corners

- MARTIN BUCKLEY

Pristine Panel Work founder Lee Irish began his journey in classic craftsmanship as an apprentice at Morgan more than a decade ago.

Today, he leads one of the UK's most respected restoration workshops, which is renowned for exceptional metalwork, concours-winning finishes and an uncompromising eye for detail.

"I started out as a panelbeater," says Lee. "I learned the ropes at Morgan before moving to Superform Aluminium and then Ferrari." After returning from Italy, Lee was approached by the revived Morris Commercial brand to make prototype bodies for the electric JE van. At the same time, he worked weekends from a farm unit, crafting one car body at a time - a side project that soon became a full-time venture as Lee's reputation for quality attracted more clients than he could handle alone: "I'd finish a body and the customer would ask, 'Can you sort the paintwork, too?'"