Vintage performance from steady business amid financial turmoil

BELFAST BRIEFING:Despite recent markets upset, a car restoration firm has seen a steady growth in new orders

THERE ARE few people who view the prospect of more bumps in the rocky road ahead for global stock markets as a business opportunity.

One entrepreneur in Northern Ireland though is pretty confident that, even if markets crash, his investments will escape without a scratch.

In fact, past experience has shown James Black that when the stock markets take a hammering it can only mean good news for his business.

Black is in a pretty exclusive club in that respect, but then he is no stranger to moving in select circles. If the distinctive Rolls- Royce emblem in evidence throughout his Lisburn premises does not indicate that Black trades in a very particular commodity, then any one of his restoration projects shows why his company has a client list stretching from Europe to Asia.

Three years ago Black decided to turn a hobby – his love of vintage and veteran motorcars – into a business. His expertise on the subject of historic cars, particularly Rolls Royce, had kindled an unintentional career as a consultant to potential buyers who recruited him to examine cars in every corner of the globe.

Black’s passion earned him a reputation as one of a handful of people worldwide to call before purchasing an historic vehicle, some of which have a price tag of more than £1 million.

That reputation became the foundation for James Black Restorations, which today has blossomed into a specialist business which has created employment for highly skilled local craftsmen.

The company specialises in the restoration, maintenance and sale of historic Rolls Royce cars, particularly the pre-1925 40/50 horsepower model – better known as the Silver Ghost.

James Black Restorations boasts a machine shop with modern lathes, milling machines and fabricating equipment dedicated to remanufacturing original components from bolts to nuts and spark plugs with painstaking accuracy.

It also supports other local firms such as Belleek Pottery by employing their services during restoration projects.

One of its current projects is a commission from the Irish Government to restore the famous armoured ARR2 Sliabh na mBanthat was escorting Michael Collins when he was killed.

Black says it is a unique project for the company because it is the last armoured Rolls Royce in the world. “It is a matter of pride for us that our obsession with historical detail drives us to perfection. This is one of the most sublime motor cars ever made and we don’t want to restore it we want to recreate its original glory.

“Rolls Royce created a magnificent motor car that was the wonder of its day and we have a responsibility to ensure that in another 100 years, people continue to marvel and enjoy this legacy.

“We want it to be as perfect as it was on the first day it was made by Rolls Royce,” Black says.

The company’s restoration projects have been driven from the UK to as far afield as Jerusalem, Amman and Athens. Black-restored Rolls Royces have crossed the Sinai desert twice and have been driven to the Arctic Circle and back.

In recent months, despite the markets turmoil, James Black Restorations has seen a steady growth in new orders.

“In the past we know that when the stock market is under pressure, people who want to invest look at other options, from vintage cars to gold, and this has certainly been helping to us.

“We have seen an increasing number of new orders coming from the across Britain, Europe and Asia.”

He says the value of vintage cars has more than doubled in the last five years.

“We have one particular customer who acquired a 1835 Bentley four years ago for £70,000. He brought it back to us to have some work done, bringing his total investment in the car to about £85,000. It was recently sold for £140,000.”

Black is currently involved in negotiations to sell a 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom II built entirely of copper with a number of interested buyers, who range from an Arabian sheikh to a member of Thailand’s royal family.

He believes it is the ideal time for him to look at expanding his business, particularly in the United States and Australia. Black is investing £200,000 in an expansion project, which will receive £33,000 in financial support towards from Invest Northern Ireland, to win new export orders.

“Our company is not just about restoring beautiful vintage cars, it is much more that. Every car has its own history, its own story and we are helping keep them alive.”