Sales (and acquisitions) of classic cars are a relatively new development for the company founded by Wayne Kelham and Simon Thornley, who had already been working together for over 10 years.

Thornley Kelham Ltd offers “… a 21st Century car restoration service combined with traditional values”. In other words, they will always be straight with customers over costs and delivery dates, and now offer a service to source – or sell – customers’ classic cars.

As Robert Glover, responsible for sales and acquisitions, said to us: “Our clients are very often looking for the ‘next project’ – which is increasingly pre-War nowadays, but could be anything.

“So we locate the often hard-to-find car for restoration or overhaul, and can then find a buyer for another car in the owner’s collection, now perhaps surplus to requirements.

“And for those stepping into the sometimes unfamiliar world of crash-gearboxes and cable brakes, let us be your guide and mentor. We can make the necessary introductions to owners’ clubs, too.”

The immaculate 18,000sq ft premises just outside Cirencester might seem a world away from a spidery workshop with sets of nuts and bolts in old tobacco tins: everyone’s idea of a classic car restorer. But that’s the way Thornley Kelham works – all the skills and craftsmanship in a modern, up-to-date setting.

Classic cars finding their way to South Cerney include many a Lancia (Thornley’s favourite marque – although partner Wayne Kelham, too, runs a Lancia, a 1949 Ardea), 327 and 328 BMWs, ‘W.O’ and ‘Derby’ Bentleys and two C6 Amilcars. There’s even a stunning 1939 Alfa 6C 2500SS Cabriolet.

And the DB5? This is unlikely to need the attention of the restoration department for a while, since the ‘matching numbers’ car has already been completely restored and is “road tested and ready for immediate use”, so the company says.

Photos: Thornley Kelham Ltd