Restoration Services

Our vehicle restoration services combine detailed body work, precision refinishing and decades of craftsmanship to preserve the character of classic, collector and specialty vehicles.

Get an Estimate Virtual Estimate

Premium Paintless Dent Repair
service for Your Vehicle

Restoration Services

Every restoration begins with a different vehicle, history and objective. One owner may want to revive a family heirloom, while another may be pursuing a highly authentic finish for a rare collector car. The scope may range from targeted exterior restoration to extensive body and paint work.

Philip Thearle’s Autowerks was founded in 1983 with a focus on restoring Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwings, roadsters and other postwar classics. That background helped establish the standards of precision and craftsmanship that continue to define our work today.

Our Santee restoration services are tailored to the vehicle’s condition, construction and the owner’s goals rather than forced into a standardized repair package.

A Detailed Approach to Automotive Restoration

The restoration process begins with an evaluation of the vehicle and a discussion of the desired result. Our team examines the body, panels, previous repairs, corrosion, finish, trim and other relevant exterior components before helping define an appropriate scope of work.

Depending on the project, restoration services may include:

Exterior disassembly
Metal and body repair
Corrosion repair
Panel restoration or replacement
Correction of previous body work
Panel-gap and exterior alignment work
Surface preparation
Color matching or complete refinishing
Reassembly and finish detailing

Because parts availability, existing modifications and hidden deterioration can affect a restoration, the repair plan may evolve as the vehicle is disassembled. We communicate newly discovered concerns and discuss available options before additional work proceeds.

Why Choose Philip Thearle’s Autowerks for Vehicle Restoration?

Restoration is part of the foundation of Philip Thearle’s Autowerks. Our collision repair philosophy grew from the belief that the craftsmanship used on rare and important vehicles could also create a better repair experience for everyday drivers.

More than forty years later, our team continues to bring that detail-oriented perspective to classic, collector and specialty vehicles. Our 50,000-square-foot Santee facility provides the environment, equipment and space needed to approach qualifying restoration projects carefully.

We respect that every restoration represents a significant personal and financial investment. Our goal is to understand your vision, explain the work clearly and preserve the qualities that make your vehicle distinctive.