The specialist: Pristine Panel Work

By Martin Buckley

| 19 Dec 2025

Classic & Sports Car – The specialist: Pristine Panel Work

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.

A penchant for panelbeating has evolved into a full-scale restoration business that doesn’t cut corners

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?’”

So today, Pristine offers everything from traditional cellulose finishes to water-based and 2K paintwork, all to concours standard.

“Before long, customers were asking if we could reassemble their cars,” says Lee, “so we took on mechanical work. There’s a Mk1 Ford Cortina on the ramp right now with an oil leak!”

Lee Irish, second from left, runs Pristine Panel Work’s busy and talented team with the help of wife Jayne

A trimmer will soon join the resident team, completing the company’s transformation into a one-stop shop for classic-car restoration.

“We’ve done everything from repairing a modern coach after an accident to building a concours-winning Triumph Stag that beat a Frazer Nash owned by Ron Dennis,” says Lee.

The most ambitious venture to date is the R33 project: an ultra-limited run of 33 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale recreations, built entirely in-house.

“We restored one of the original 12,” Lee explains. “That led to a customer asking us for a recreation. We wanted to do something different in the replica world, and this really struck a chord.”

The restoration of an original Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale prompted Pristine Panel Work’s limited-run recreation project

Each Stradale features a Maserati 4.2-litre V8 paired with a bespoke gearbox designed for driver engagement and mechanical purity.

Three recreations are under way, with updates such as adjustable seats, air-con and even a usable boot – the original only housed a spare wheel.

PPW’s back catalogue is just as impressive: an aluminium-bodied Jensen Interceptor (built using the original as a buck), a meticulous early BMW 3.0 CSL restoration and an upcoming project with an ex-Mussolini Alfa 8C.

Lee’s experience in shaping ash frames, developed while working on Morgan’s SP1 concept in 2014, pays dividends on vintage commissions.

Morgan is familiar ground for owner Lee Irish, who began his career at the Malvern works

The firm is now based in a bright, modern facility near Upton-upon-Severn.

“It’s more like a laboratory,” Lee jokes. “I’m obsessive about keeping it spotless – it drives the team mad.”

That diligence is reflected in everything it does. Take, for example, a recent Rover P5B 3½ Litre Coupé restored for a client who had searched the country for a top-tier example.

“We viewed car after car,” says Lee. “They all looked great until you got underneath, so we restored one from scratch. We even visited the Queen’s P5B at Gaydon to get every detail right. It’s so perfect, the client may never drive it.”

A Porsche 914 awaits attention in Pristine Panel Work’s workshop

Pristine’s six-person workshop team is supported by Lee’s wife, Jayne, who handles day-to-day operations and keeps it all running smoothly.

“Lee has got such passion for the job,” says Jayne. “He really puts his heart into every project. High-end restoration isn’t the quickest or easiest business, but we have built a reputation by doing things properly.”

Lee concurs: “We’ve learned to document everything clearly. Some jobs take more time than people realise, so we make sure that our customers are kept fully informed throughout. It’s all about transparency and trust.

“I suppose I’m a bit of a perfectionist. We sometimes get asked for shortcuts or quick fixes, but that’s just not us. If it’s not top-notch, we won’t put our name to it.”

Images: Jack Harrison