Image: JD Classics Heritage Racing line-up
The JD Classics brand represents 35 years of outstanding levels of craftsmanship in automotive heritage restoration and classic racing
The Mille Miglia 2022 will witness the relaunch of one of the most iconic brands in the classic and performance car industry.
JD Classics was formed in 1987 and based in Maldon, Essex in the United Kingdom. Over time the company became known for classic car restorations of the very highest calibre, ranking as one of the best in the world. JD Classics cars were regularly entered by both their owners and by the company in classic car Concours d’Elegance competitions from Pebble Beach in California and Amelia Island in Florida to Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace, England and the Villa d’Este in Italy. Each time JD Classics prepared cars would win trophies, adding to their provenance value. JD Classics also race-prepared and raced classic cars for their owners in their Competition Department, as well as entering the company’s own cars in races such as the RAC Tourist Trophy race at Goodwood Revival and at the Le Mans Classic. Again, JD Classics would demonstrate their exceptional quality by winning trophies and podium places cementing the JD Classics brand as the leading classic car restoration and racing team worldwide.
Due to difficulties off track, the company faced administrators in 2018 resulting in Woodham Mortimer being created and today, under new management, Woodham Mortimer seeks to resurrect the best of British, the iconic global classic car brand that is JD Classics.
Determined to open a new chapter in the story of JD Classics, Woodham Mortimer has committed to building on the great heritage, and revive the brand, having kept alive the operations and skilled staff.
“When we bought Woodham Mortimer earlier this year, we found trophy cabinets full of awards given to the restoration and Competition Departments of JD Classics over many years,” said Nico Consari from ZCC Investments, owners of Woodham Mortimer. “Classic car enthusiasts the world over are aware of the history of JD classics and its amazingly rich pedigree over many decades. We are totally committed to building on this heritage and that is why we have strengthened and diversified our Board to ensure we have the kind of leadership and strategic vision that will be instrumental in building on these great foundations and successes. As classic car restorers and classic racing specialists, JD Classics was and will be again, the best in the world.”
“As custodians of such an emblematic company, we felt there was no better time than at the iconic Mille Miglia 2022, to relaunch a brand which has for decades represented British excellence across the globe,” Consari continues. “Our ambition for JD Classics is nothing less than becoming the pre-eminent company for service delivery and customer care in the global classic car industry.”
JD Classics will be a division of Woodham Mortimer specialising in classic restoration, sales, events, racing and race support. All the quality standards and expertise of the original business have been maintained by Woodham Mortimer and customers will receive the very highest levels of perfection synonymous with the JD Classics name.
The ‘new’ brand will have multiple facets within the automotive industry from classics restorations, servicing, engineering, classic car sales and racing competition which is why the re-launch takes place at the Mille Miglia and within a couple of weeks at the Le Mans Classic.
About JD Classics – A Woodham Mortimer Company:
The JD Classics team of around 60 craftsmen and engineers create not only some of the most beautiful and acclaimed classic car restorations in the world, but also some of the fastest, most competitive historic racing cars. Our showroom and workshop facilities showcase an intricate attention-to-detail and a commitment to craftsmanship.
All JD Classics work, from full engine rebuilds to nut-and-bolt restorations, is carried out in a world-class, 65,000 sq/ft facility in Chelmsford, just outside London. The quality of restoration work carried out by JD Classics has been acknowledged as among the best in the world, with multiple award wins at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Cartier Style et Luxe and Salon Privé.
The Competition Department, responsible for all of JD Classics’ historic motorsport activity, is one of the most successful outfits in the sport. Its ex-Fangio C-type has won back-to-back races at Monaco Historique, its Lister Costin won every single round of the Stirling Moss Trophy in 2017 and its E-type Lightweight won two consecutive RAC TT Celebration races at Goodwood Revival.
JD Classics has also been a major sponsor of some of the largest motoring events in the world, including the Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival and Goodwood Members’ Meeting, providing unrivalled access for our customers.
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