Construction of a Bandit
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
As a previous Lancia owner (Fulvia, Gamma Coupe, HPE VX, and Thema Turbo) the chance to tour the restoration facilities of renowned Lancia specialist Thornley Kelham was a chance I was not going to miss, even though it meant an early start and a long drive from Brighton to South Cerney in Gloucestershire.
The company was founded in 2009 by Simon Thornley and Wayne Kelham, initially known as the Vintage and Classic Paintshop, but by 2012 the business had grown from being simply a paint shop and Thornley Kelham as we know it now was born. Renowned for quality restorations, in 2018 the company captured the attention of the public and media alike at Pebble Beach by displaying the first creation of their ‘outlaw’ program, a Lancia B20GT Fuorilegge (Bandit); in other words a restomod of which the company built nine examples, with the final three being built as European CSL versions running a tuned 300 bhp V6 Alfa Romeo Busso motor.
Following on from the Aurelia project the company turned its attention to modifying Jaguar XKs and Porsche 356s and 911s as part of their ‘European Collection’ of which several examples were being completed at the time of my visit.
It would however, be wrong to think that the company had turned away from “normal restoration” as the workshop at the time of my visit was full of classics either undergoing a full nut and bolt restoration, or a simply a post winter service. In fact, with a skilled staff of 30 people the company undertakes the full gambit of work from metalwork to paint, from full mechanical rebuilds to interior trimming; they even offer rally support and concours preparation.
With a fully equipped machine shop, engine room, dyno facility, and extensive metal and paint departments, every stage of the restoration process is handled in-house, with more than 32,000 square feet of purpose-designed workshop space. Thornley’s is located in the beautiful Cotswolds, just outside Cirencester and welcomes visitors with a bit of notice.
Metal workmanship is superb.
Only nine Lancia Fuorilegge will be constructed.
The drive train of the European CSL Aurelia
The purists may throw their arms up in horror but this Lancia Aurelia outlaw, built by Thornley Kelham along the lines of the Bracco Series 1, gets my vote. Winning the Outlaws class, modifications include a fuel injected 2.8 Flaminia engine, air conditioning, disc brakes all round, uprated suspension and a bespoke interior. London Concours 2019
In your face, love it or hate it.
Constructing a new body for this Bugatti.
Detail of boat tail construction.
Bugatti engine.
The Amilcar, according to their web site, dates from 1928 and is chassis 11014
Amilcar dash
Amilcar engine
Fulvia and 300SL motor
A Lancia HF in for work.
576 XWB is associated with a 1952 Siata Daina Gran Sport.
Siata detail shot.
Siata Gran Sport.
English wheel
Thornley’s huge and excellent facility.
wheels
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Porsche 356 dash.
Porsche 356 rear.
356 metal detail.
356 metal detail.
Euro Porsche 356 on the ramp.
Euro Jag XK.
Euro Jag XK coupe.
These restomods are called “Europeans”.
Euro Jag.
Jag chassis.
911s waiting for transformation.
An ideal candidate.
A finished product.
Art
What a shop! I dream of such things.
Hi Pete –
“576 XWB is associated with a 1952 Siata Daina Gran Sport.”
A 300*BC* no, not a Daina Gran Sport?
made lovely cars ugly! like a toy that dad stepped on barefoot one night. oh well…it’s their $$$. does anyone remember those years in the mid-’60s when big windows in cut-down doors was a thing? my idea of near-perfect proportions is an xk120m coupe on disc wheels with spats. it even looks cozy from the outside!
Enjoyed the tour – excellent photos!
Heartthrobs, each and every one.