What Chicane does

Chicane Classics Ltd, trading as Chicane, is a UK-based specialist workshop founded in 2008 by John Watson and located in Hook, Hampshire, providing restoration, servicing, upgrades, and motorsport preparation exclusively for Aston Martin vehicles. Service lines span full ground-up restorations, recommissioning of stored vehicles, routine servicing and repairs for both classic (DB2 to V600) and modern (DB7, Vanquish, DB9, V8 Vantage, Cygnet, Virage, DBS, One-77) Astons, engine building and tuning with in-house dynamometer testing up to 800hp, precision machining and bespoke parts fabrication, performance and comfort upgrades, valuations and inspections, and dedicated race and rally preparation. Underlying capability rests on a single facility containing a dedicated engine room, machine shop, and showroom, supported by a team with over 100 years of collective marque experience and a proprietary electronic fuel-injection conversion system for classic Astons. Revenue is generated project-by-project under quote-based, multi-year engagement contracts with high-net-worth Aston Martin owners, plus a parts product line combining genuine Aston Martin components with Chicane-designed upgraded parts. Distribution is direct-to-customer at the Hampshire workshop, with no intermediary channels, and marketing relies on project showcases, marque-community events (notably Aston Martin Owners Club engagements and Hampton Court Concours), and video content rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Chicane

Legal name

Chicane Classics Ltd

Website

https://chicane.am

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chicane is a UK specialist workshop founded in 2008 providing restoration, servicing, engine building, machining, and race and rally preparation exclusively for classic and modern Aston Martin vehicles, serving collectors directly from its Hampshire facility on quote-based project contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hook

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Automotive Specialist Services: Professional services revenue from restoration, servicing, repair, and race preparation of Aston Martin vehicles. Revenue is generated through project-based work including full restorations, recommissioning, routine servicing, performance upgrades, engine rebuilds, and motorsport preparation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chicane is a specialist Aston Martin workshop providing restoration, recommissioning, servicing, repairs, engine building with dyno testing, precision machining, performance upgrades, and race and rally preparation for classic and modern Aston Martin vehicles. Operations are based at a dedicated workshop in Hook, Hampshire, with services including full ground-up restorations, engine rebuilds, bespoke parts fabrication, valuations, and motorsport support with trackside assistance.

Product overview

Chicane is an Aston Martin specialist workshop offering a comprehensive suite of automotive services for classic and modern Aston Martins. The company operates as a service-based business with distinct but interconnected offerings: Restorations provides full ground-up restoration including bodywork, chassis, engine rebuilding, and paintwork; Service & Repairs handles routine maintenance and repairs; Recommissioning brings stored vehicles back to road condition; Engines/Dyno delivers engine building and performance testing up to 800hp; Upgrades offers performance and comfort enhancements including electronic fuel injection, suspension, and entertainment systems; Machining provides precision engineering services; Valuations & Inspections delivers professional assessments; and Race/Rally Preparation transforms vehicles for competitive motorsport. The Parts product line provides both genuine Aston Martin parts and Chicane-designed upgraded components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Restorations Full body and chassis restorations, engine rebuilds, precision machining, sympathetic upgrades, interior and trim restoration, and paintwork services for classic Aston Martins from DB2 to modern supercars.
• Recommissioning Expert recommissioning services to restore classic Aston Martins to peak condition after periods of inactivity, including full mechanical inspections, engine tuning, brake and suspension overhaul, and cosmetic refresh.
• Service & Repairs Comprehensive servicing and repairs for classic and modern Aston Martins including routine maintenance, diagnostics, accident repairs, and parts replacement using high-quality components.
• Engines/Dyno Specialised engine building with over 30 years of experience, including engine rebuilds, classic and modern era tuning, and dyno testing capabilities up to 800hp.
• Upgrades Performance and comfort upgrades including headlight upgrades, LED instrument illumination, power-assisted steering, brake upgrades, entertainment and technology systems, electronic fuel injection, heat and sound insulation, air conditioning, suspension improvements, locking fuel caps, and gearbox solutions.
• Machining Precision machining services including cylinder head resurfacing, reconditioning, and custom machining for classic and modern Aston Martin engines.
• Valuations & Inspections Professional vehicle valuations and inspections including pre-purchase inspections, insurance valuations, market valuations, and condition assessments.
• Race Preparation Comprehensive race preparation services transforming Aston Martins into competitive racing machines, including consultation, performance upgrades, safety enhancements, testing, tuning, and trackside support.
• Rally Preparation Specialised rally preparation services for classic Aston Martins competing in international rallies, including individual build plans, performance upgrades, safety installations, and testing support.
• Parts Genuine Aston Martin parts and Chicane-designed upgraded components for classic and modern Aston Martin models, covering engine components, electrical systems, body panels, and interior fittings.
• Motorsport Events Participation and support at motorsport events including Tour Auto, racing championships, and charity tours with customer vehicles.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1955 DB2/4 completed Tour Auto 2025 and finished in Top 20 as the only 1950s car
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pearsons of Stamford: Specialist Aston Martin service, restoration, and parts business based in the UK. Directly comparable boutique specialist model with overlapping customer base.
• Barkaways: UK-based Aston Martin specialist offering restoration, servicing, and parts for classic and modern Aston Martins. Closest direct competitor given same marque specialism and service scope.
• Trevor Farrington Ltd: Long-established UK Aston Martin restoration and servicing specialist, particularly known for DB-series and pre-war work. Comparable specialist positioning with similar marque focus.
• Nicholas Mee & Co: London-based Aston Martin specialist combining sales, servicing, and restoration. Comparable specialist services with some dealership overlap and shared customer pool.
• Desmond J Smail: UK Aston Martin specialist offering servicing, restoration, and parts for classic Aston Martins. Same single-marque focus and similar target customer.

Broad incumbents

• Aston Martin Works: The factory heritage division of Aston Martin based at Newport Pagnell. Offers restoration, servicing, and authentic parts with OEM backing — the dominant broad incumbent in the same space.

Regional players

• JD Classics: UK-based classic car restoration and racing specialist handling multiple marques including Aston Martin. Comparable services but with broader multi-marque positioning.

Emerging players

• Hexagon Classics: London-based classic car specialist combining sales, acquisition, and workshop services for high-end collector vehicles. Overlapping HNW customer base and London-area catchment.
• Classic Motor Cars (CMC): UK-based classic and luxury car restoration specialist handling multiple high-end marques. Broader than Chicane's focus but comparable restoration capability and customer segment.

Others

• Girardo & Co: Classic car broker and consultancy dealing in significant collector vehicles. Same HNW customer segment and classic-car ecosystem, though not a direct workshop competitor.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=lFkZrqIfse0
• Facebookfacebook.com/chicane.am

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicane