20 striking classics in this huge collection

Behind closed doors

Hidden in Potters Bar, just off the M25 in the south-east of England, is Studio 434.

Thought to be Europe’s largest private car collection with more than 450 vehicles, Rodger Dudding is the proud owner of this sprawling hoard that’s housed over five levels at two warehouses.

Thankfully the cars aren’t locked away never to see the light of day again. The majority are maintained as hire vehicles and some have even appeared on TV shows including The Crown and Peaky Blinders. 

The collection comprises work from some of Dudding’s favourite designers, William Towns and Zagato, along with other more personal mementos including his father’s 1952 Morris Minor.

It’s an eccentric and eclectic assembly of pre-war classic cars, vintage ’bikes, tractors, prototypes, modern sports cars and everything in between.

Here we’re looking at some of the most striking classics in this huge collection.

1. 1985 Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2 Tickford Limousine

Sitting in what’s thought to be the world’s largest collection of Aston Martin Lagondas, with around 25 different iterations, this one is a long-wheelbase version of a model that’s already considerably lengthy.

Only four extended-wheelbase examples were produced, each costing £110,000, at the time. 

Distinguished by angular side skirts and a new front bumper, to account for the extra length, the rear window glass is split vertically in half.

It wouldn’t be an ‘80s limo without curtains, so this example has matching drapes around the rear passenger area.

Inside, there’s a swanky cream-leather interior complete with a cocktail cabinet and colour TV.

2. 1987 Aston Martin Lagonda Series 3 Gold Plated 

Reportedly commissioned by a Saudi prince, this Lagonda had all its chrome features enhanced with 18ct gold plating.

Everything from the wheels to the grille, interior handles, gearstick and ashtrays are all wrapped in gold. To accent the colour scheme, the paintwork is pinstriped with gold. 

There’s a huge sunroof covering the rear passenger area, making it clear this car was intended to be used as a chauffeur vehicle.

Owner Rodger Dudding is always on the lookout for unique Lagondas and this example definitely adds some bling to his collection.

3. 1984 Bamby Tricycle 

Unusually, this three-wheeler has the third wheel located at the rear.

Fitted with hydraulic brakes and two headlamps, this late example was an evolution of the original Bamby Tricycle.

It’s thought just 25 units were produced before the project was called off. Thanks to a steep asking price for what it was, it didn’t sell in big numbers, making this extremely rare. 

Having covered just over 2000 miles from new, it’s in remarkably good condition.

Despite being exhibited at the Ideal Home Exhibition in 1984, the Bamby failed to reach high volume production with manufacturing only spanning a few months.

It closely resembles the Peel P50, which was twice as successful, selling 50 units in its time.

4. 1949 Bentley MkVI Countryman Shooting Brake 

The Bentley marque normally conjures visions of a sweeping almost boat-like body, with a spacious, luxury interior.

When the Countryman was created, it had no rear seats and was considered to be a commercial vehicle. Even still, there’s a certain class that oozes from an example adorned with wooden bodywork.

This was the last Shooting Brake with coachwork by Harold Radford built on the MkVI chassis. In 1959 the vehicle was acquired by the west London brewer, Fullers, before a spell in America under the ownership of interior designer Jean-Charles Morinière.

Back in the UK, it’s been preserved in storage and now lives in Rodger’s large collection of Bentleys that spans more than eight decades of the brand’s heritage. 

5. 1973 Bond Bug 700ES

The perfect combination of wedge-shaped design and a bubble car, the Bond Bug is a fusion of Rodger Dudding’s motoring interests.

This example is finished in the correct orange paintwork with 700ES decals, identifying it as the top-spec Bug available at the time.

The 31bhp engine was teamed with more supportive seats, a rubber front bumper and a spare wheel. 

Made by the Reliant Motor Company after it acquired Bond Cars, the Bug was a precursor to the iconic Reliant Robin.

This example is from the same year production of Reliant's other, larger three-wheeler began. However, the Bug was actually classified as a motorcycle thanks to its lightweight structure.

6. 1973 Hustler 6 Space Shuttle

The Hustler 6 doesn’t immediately identify itself as a William Towns design, but it’s another example of his futuristic creations.

Sold in kit form, the idea was the cars would run on Mini engines and rival the likes of the Mini Moke.

This is one of three examples thought to be manufactured under the Hustler name and not a customer kit assembly example. 

It’s likely the vehicle was made as a promotional example. The body panels are of glassfibre and it has a vinyl-covered plywood roof.

A distinctive feature of the Hustler is its ‘windoors’, sliding windows large enough to be used as doors. This is a much simpler assembly solution and keeps the overall weight down.

7. 1989 Jaguar XJ-S Railton Convertible 

Based on the V12 XJ-S, this Railton version is just one of two examples created by the designer William Towns.

Famous for his involvement in the Aston Martin Lagonda, Towns planned to make at least 50 of this model, under the name of the pre-war British marque Railton.

Straying from the wedge shape of the Lagonda, the Railton is a streamlined, aluminium-bodied custom build. 

An extremely high retail price of £105,000 meant the model wouldn’t be cost effective to take to production, so just two were finished.

The steep price was not only down to the bespoke bodywork, but also advanced tech such as ABS, cruise control, air-con and heated electric seats.

This example stayed with Towns’ personal collection until his death in 1993, then moved into the hands of another private collector before it joined Studio 434.

8. 1995 Jaguar XJR6 Fire Tender

This was the first XJ generation built under Ford ownership and the XJR was the high-performance model in the line-up.

Thanks to some American muscle influence, this was the first factory supercharged Jaguar road car. Suitably powerful enough to race around a track to any emergencies, this XJR was converted into a fire tender for use at Donington Park circuit. 

The conversion included the Donington fire tender livery of the era along with flashing blue lights attached to the roof.

Inside, the standard interior and wooden dashboard were left untouched. The rear of the car was stripped out and a rollcage was fitted to comply with safety standards. 

9. 2007 Jensen S-V8  

Despite the fact Jensen went into administration in 2002, the name and remaining unfinished vehicles were sold to SV Automotive of Carterton.

Jensen produced 20 S-V8s and 18 were partially finished when the company folded. Under the supervision of Graham Henley, 11 of the unfinished cars were later completed. 

This S-V8, known as the Gold Jensen for obvious reasons, was finally finished in 2004 and was the last S-V8 to be registered, in 2007.

The paintwork is gold pearl metallic, while the colour scheme inside is black and tan leather, plus it’s fitted with graphite OZ split-rim wheels.

Power is courtesy of a Ford Mustang 4.6-litre V8.

10. 1967 Mini Moke 

Here is the first of a few Mini-based specials in Rodger Dudding’s collection.

The Mini Moke was initially intended as a light military vehicle, but small wheels and low ground clearance meant it wouldn’t be a successful off-roader like the Willys Jeep.

Despite its size, however, it can carry four people, even if its convertible roof looks more like a sun shade than providing serious rain protection. 

This example is fitted with wet-weather equipment, spotlights, front and rear nudge bars, plus Minilite wheels including a spare at the back.

There’s nothing superfluous on the Moke, the interior screams utility and there’s just one dial that shows the fuel gauge, speed and odometer.

Astonishingly, this example has been driven nearly 60,000 miles in its lifetime.

11. 1980 Mini Wood & Pickett 

After starting out as a 1980 Austin Morris Mini 1275GT, this Wood & Pickett conversion totalled around £10,000 to complete.

The vehicle was commissioned by a father as a 21st-birthday present for his daughter. Originally finished in Java green, it now wears pearl blue paintwork with matching blue Dralon and magnolia leather seats. 

The conversion included installing an electric sunroof, twin headlights and a landau roof. The oval-shaped rear window was reportedly a bespoke piece made by Royal Doulton.

It also has Minilite alloy wheels, a walnut dashboard and a Moto-Lita steering wheel.

12. 1992 Mini Shorty 

Undoubtedly one of the most adorable classics in its own right, this Mini Shorty is even more appealing paired with its custom-made trailer.

The Shorty started life as a standard 1992 Mini City, then was extensively modified inside and out to create this pocket-sized version. 

Its factory-fitted engine was swapped for a 1275 Metro unit, which makes this tiny car incredibly spritely.

13. 1977 Trabant 601S 

Whilst the Trabant wasn’t hailed as a particularly good car, it still sold in strong numbers from the ‘60s until 1990.

It was supposed to be an affordable, easy-to-maintain car and it fitted the brief, even if it wasn’t particularly inspiring.

Around 3 million were produced with various different specifications and body styles including a convertible, two-door estate and rally spec. 

The 60 S was a special-edition version that came with optional extras like foglights, a rear white light and an odometer.

Although the Trabant was exported to other European countries, it never made its way to the UK during its production years. This example was first registered in the UK in 2001 and has been kept in its original left-hand-drive configuration.

14. 1964 Trojan 200

From Suffolk to Scotland to Hertfordshire, this Trojan microcar has been enjoyed by owners across the UK.

A full refurbishment around 10 years ago and a life in storage since means it's in lovely condition. 

Complete with the correct red-tartan seat covering, it’s a surprisingly spacious bubble car that also features a fabric sunroof.

The Trojan 200 was based on the Heinkel Kabine and built under licence in various countries. This is a late British-built example created under the Trojan name.

15. 1974 Zagato Zele 1000 

A slightly oddball example from Zagato, the Zele has glassfibre bodywork that sits on a steel-framed chassis.

This example was previously owned by Urbanina, the company behind early microcar electric vehicle projects in Italy. Urbanina’s early development rights were bought by Zagato and this resulted in the Zagato Zele. 

Around 500 were produced and it’s thought the number found in the UK doesn’t stretch into double digits.

Fitted at first with a four-speed controller, this Zele has been updated to run on a single-speed unit, but the original controls have been retained. It’s powered by four 12V batteries.

16. 1925 Citroën 5CV 

First supplied by the Highbury Motor Company, this lovely looking, right-hand-drive boat-tail Citroën 5CV has spent a large portion of its life on display.

It was housed in a museum from 1983 until 2005, and the 5CV now enjoys the same quiet comfort at Studio 434.

5CV production concluded in 1926 after nearly 81,000 units were sold.

Although this is a later example, it’s finished in the same Citroën yellow that was the only colour option available when the 5CV launched. This earned the 5CV its nickname the 'Petit Citroën' – little lemon.

17. 1930 Austin Seven White Rabbit Racing Monoposto

Crafted from the remains of a burnt-out Boyd Carpenter Special, Marcus Chambers built this Austin Seven in the early ’30s.

Chambers and Peter Clark took part in the 1937 and 1939 Le Mans races in an HRG with the team name ‘L’Écurie Lapin Blanc’, meaning Team White Rabbit.

A turtleshell that Clark brought back from a family holiday in the West Indies was turned into the team mascot. Someone painted a white rabbit on the shell and it became their symbol.

A replica of the mascot has remained with the car to commemorate its extensive racing career within the Vintage Sports-Car Club from the 1930s until 1963, when it was retired. 

18. 1987 Bristol Beaufighter

Fewer than 20 Bristol Beaufighters were produced, making this a rare survivor.

The Beaufighter was named after the aircraft and at launch was the fastest four-seater convertible in the world.

Penned by one of Rodger Dudding’s favoured designers, Zagato, its styling fits seamlessly into his large collection of iconic ’80s automobiles. 

Whilst all Beaufighters had the Coupé de Ville-style folding rear section, this one is also fitted with a targa top, complete with its own removable sunroof.

It has the standard Bristol 5.9-litre V8, but this limited-edition run came paired with a Roto-Master turbo.

This was one of the last Beaufighters registered. 

19. 1963 Lagonda Rapide Sports Saloon 

This Rapide’s claim to fame is it’s thought its first owner was Rex Makin, the solicitor to The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein.

His ownership lasted a year before he swapped it for a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. It next passed into the hands of John Nicholls, founder of his namesake’s family-owned builders and plumbers merchants. 

It’s reportedly the only known example that was returned to the Newport Pagnell factory in 1967 for a transmission conversion.

The automatic gearbox was swapped for a ZF five-speed manual that it retains today. The interior looks brand new and, following an engine rebuild, it’s mainly spent its time in storage.

20. 1935 Austin Taxi Low Loader 

Bought from a taxi driver in the early 1970s, Anouska Hempel set this Austin Taxi Low Loader to work as a courtesy car for Blakes Hotel in Knightsbridge, London.

The actress-turned-hotelier owned the vehicle for around four decades before it joined the Studio 434 collection. 

During its time at Blakes it reportedly carried famous passengers including actors Ali MacGraw, Jane Russell and Robert Redford, and singers Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan.

Still with a sliding privacy window, Bell Punch taxi meter, fare table and electric windscreen wipers, this is a remarkably complete example.

The roof-mounted taxi lamp showing Blakes rather than Taxi has been retained as a nod to its previous life.