An introduction to Alpine Eagle
				Our workshops near Oxford, England with a 1913 Silver Ghost
	Founded over forty years ago by partners Roy Partridge and John Hodson, Alpine Eagle specialise in the restoration of most of the finest coachbuilt collectors cars. From the start their approach has been uncompromising, their aim being to restore customers cars to original and as near perfect condition as is possible. A stunning 1937 4.25L Bentley Coupe by Vanden Plas won the 2003 Master’s Class at the RREC Annual Rally, having been first in class last year. This was one of three Alpine Eagle cars to win awards at the RREC Annual Rally in 2002. However they have never courted publicity, preferring to rely on word of mouth recommendation and the gratifying loyalty of their customers In the early years there were only a limited number of restoration companies and the skills necessary to achieve really high standards were rare. Roy and John had to learn every aspect of the work themselves. Most is still done in house from complete mechanical restoration of the chassis, the engine and drive train to all electrical work. However, these skills are relatively commonplace as are the varying degrees of competence with which they are done! Coachwork restoration is a different matter and demands much more of its craftsmen, both in manual dexterity and specialist knowledge. Each of the great coachbuilders had their way of doing things. These were the trademarks of a group of companies who are widely regarded as having produced some of the most beautifully made and elegant cars of all time. Alpine Eagle attaches enormous importance to maintaining every bit of the character and style of each different coachbuilder’s work in their restorations. It must be possible to easily identify these highly individual characteristics rather than be able to tell that Alpine Eagle restored the car! To be able to do this requires encyclopaedic knowledge of largely undocumented history. It takes a great deal of time and a passionate commitment. Today Alpine Eagle consists of a small, closely knit team. The company always has at least one major restoration on the go as well as a variety of smaller jobs. These vary from bare metal re-sprays, engine overhauls, re-trims, new carpets, hood or headlining replacements to annual servicing. They hope that by time a car is finished, a bond of friendship and trust is developed with their customers so that a plan can be made for maintaining their cars pristine condition over the coming years. Although rare or important cars will command a high price, almost regardless of condition, most will not. There is an enormous difference in value between one that is tired one that can be shown to be in tiptop condition having been maintained or rebuilt by Alpine Eagle. The very best cars are much easier to sell too. Therefore having your car restored and or maintained by Alpine Eagle is the best possible way of securing its value. Alpine is different, we have more than forty years of continuous experience of winning at major events, whether it be a Louis Vuitton or Pebble Beach Concours or an RREC rally. Most of our customers have become their friends; indeed those that do not need anonymity will happily provide testimonials as to their dealings with the company. We rely much less than average on subcontractors and those we do use, they’ve been with for many years and look after them well. Most important of all, the coachwork, trimming and painting and all mechanical rebuilds are done by our own craftsmen. At Alpine Eagle care passionately that these marvellous cars are meticulously preserved exactly as they were built, they take enormous pride in the skills they have learned and in the beauty and elegance that they are able to recreate.
					The Alpine Eagle chicken who rules the roost and is the real boss!