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PDP Retro Classics PDP Retro classics
Rockbourne Fordingbridge
Hampshire
07794 372179

Well after being off the road for nearly twenty years I finally got round to getting my Rover coupe up running and back ...
08/05/2026

Well after being off the road for nearly twenty years I finally got round to getting my Rover coupe up running and back on the road.
Scott from DGMRS fell in love with it and talked me into selling it to him.
Once finished and driven for the first time after all those years it drove absolutely perfect.
Yes I wish I could have kept it but with 39 other Rovers and mgs to do I realise I can't keep them all.
A selection of pictures from the beginning when I bought it from a barn near Bridgewater to doing the work and final delivery today.

31/03/2026

Well a little different a mgzt 1.8 turbo.
A stock car I bought last year diagnosed by a so called mg mobile specialist as a cracked cylinder liner due to the amount of smoke pouring out of the exhaust.
I carried out a block test and sure enough the head gasket had gone.
Removed the head and found no problems at all with the cylinder liners.
A head skim gasket set and new cambelt and that side of it was cured.
On closer inspection it became very apparent what was causing the smoke a failed turbo.
The replacement fitted no smoke and now drives absolutely perfect.
A real shame as the previous owner loved the car and only sold it cheap because of the previous diagnosis.

A new customer has come to me thanks to a recommendation he was complaining of a noisy engine rattling coming from the t...
10/03/2026

A new customer has come to me thanks to a recommendation he was complaining of a noisy engine rattling coming from the top of the engine.
The story was he used to get the car repaired at another workshop and they agreed to replace the hydraulic followers.
Unfortunately when it came back it sounded awful hence why it came to me.
I discovered the cam box had been sealed using silicone sealer which filled all the oil ways blocking the supply of oil.
Never ever use silicone on the cam box or rocker cover lid.
There is a proper sealer for this not silicone.
I also discovered the exhaust cam was 4 teeth out!! How it didn't hit the valves I'll never know.
The car is now fixed running nice and quiet and back with its owner.

Last week I had the pleasure of fixing the infamous ZT from DGMRS you may have seen there post of how Max managed to nur...
25/02/2026

Last week I had the pleasure of fixing the infamous ZT from DGMRS you may have seen there post of how Max managed to nurse it back from the midlands to Hampshire with a taped up bottom hose after a car in front threw up something in front of him
still losing water he took his time kept topping it up and succeeded in getting home.
Well it was a bit sick after it's journey and had to come in for some love and attention.
The water pump had failed and was leaking and it was suggested it was I good idea to do the head gasket as well.
All duly done along with a new cambelt kit and exhaust valves.
Now running back to it's best and looking good for lots more miles.

A new customer dropped his MGF off at the workshop for a check over and any suggestions for useful extras.It's probably...
30/01/2026

A new customer dropped his MGF off at the workshop for a check over and any suggestions for useful extras.
It's probably one of the best examples I have seen.
The exterior interior even underneath was in top condition.
He is a new young owner and has a few other modern classics, it's great when a new generation loves owning a classic car and not another eurobox.
There was very little to do as the previous owner had lavished lots of money on keeping this car in top condition.
I fitted stainless steel underfloor pipes with new antifreeze and always a good thing a low water level alarm.
The suspension height was raised slightly and the adjustable shocks were adjusted for a slightly softer ride, I checked it over from front to back and all the little hidden corners, not a mm of corrosion anywhere.
I'm sure it will be at a few shows over the summer and I'm sure it will win a few awards.

Collected a MGF from a new customer in Wiltshire.He was complaining of a noise which appeared to be coming from the clut...
22/01/2026

Collected a MGF from a new customer in Wiltshire.
He was complaining of a noise which appeared to be coming from the clutch and he also wanted a new cambelt kit fitted.
On driving the car I found the clutch very heavy and suspected the clutch release arm was starting to seize up which is quite common.
The car was put on the ramp and the gearbox was removed the release arm was partly seized this was removed cleaned and lubricated to prevent this happening again.
A new clutch kit was supplied and fitted as the old one was badly worn.
With a new clutch and cambelt the car was taken back to the owner and operating far better than it was when collected.

This week I had one of the nicest TF cool blues in for some rust removal.Straight forward job.A series of pictures shows...
22/01/2026

This week I had one of the nicest TF cool blues in for some rust removal.
Straight forward job.
A series of pictures shows how we do it.
Starting with the before pictures then moving on to applying the rust killer then a zinc rich base coat which really seals it against future corrosion.
A textured zinc stone chip is then applied followed by body colour and clear coat to finish the job .
Also as a precaution the air intake grills on the sides and the grommets from inside the front wheel arch bottoms are also removed and sprayed with rust killer followed by a coat of bilt hamber along the entire length of the sills.
Most rust on the MGF and TF happens at the front and rear of the sill panels. If you regularly remove the front arch liners and clean the mud from where it gets trapped and treat the sills from the inside then there is a good chance you can stop rust from taking hold and causing expensive sill repairs in the future.

Well it's all go at the workshop mgs and Rovers coming from everywhere for check ups and more serious repairs.A new cust...
11/11/2025

Well it's all go at the workshop mgs and Rovers coming from everywhere for check ups and more serious repairs.
A new customer with a lovely late Rover 25 dropped it in for a diagnosis.
A glance into the expansion tank confirmed oil in the water.
A head skim new gaskets and timing belt cured all the problems it was the tiniest of failures as can be seen in the picture.
Another happy Rover driver back on the road driving a quality car and flying the flag.

One of those unfortunate things but please change your cambelts when they are due.This came off a MG TF 160 low mileage ...
02/09/2025

One of those unfortunate things but please change your cambelts when they are due.
This came off a MG TF 160 low mileage and in perfect condition
This one appears to be a failure of the part
Six bent exhaust valves were the result.
All fixed and back to the customer who is also a good friend.

I really need to post more often This week it's been a pleasure to work on a customer with several Rovers including this...
27/08/2025

I really need to post more often
This week it's been a pleasure to work on a customer with several Rovers including this nice 75 kv6
I've replaced all the drive belts and the lower engine stabiliser due to collapsed rubber noticed the gear stick moving forward and backwards when changing gear along with a loud bang from underneath the car.
Check yours as they do fail and can cause the front exhaust Flexi to snap and that's expensive to replace.

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Rockbourne
Rockbourne

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+447794372179

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