A rare Lea-Francis P-Type from the heyday of the British motor industry has begun a new life appearing on concours d'elegance in Japan thanks to Avonmouth-based Autoshippers.

The company exports True-Brit vehicles to all points of the globe including the elegant Lea-Francis - which was shipped out to Japan in February for classic car restorer Junichi Sugimoto from Kusatsu.

Junichi exhibits a number of vintage cars from his collection on concours d'elegance in Japan.

He said:

“I became interested in pre-war cars when I was at high school and after graduating I purchased an 1935 Austin Seven from one of my teachers who was also interested in vintage cars.

“The restoration work took three years before I was able to get the Japanese equivalent of an MOT. My dream is to drive my own 1920s car before I am 30.”

Junichi said pre-war cars were easy to restore and maintain.

“Back in the 1920s, many different car manufactures existed and each one had gone through lots of trial-and error to improve quality and value. As a result, each manufacturer has their own characteristics. As an engineer myself, I am really impressed by their efforts.”

Autoshippers’ Adam Limerick said: “Junichi is typical of car enthusiasts across the world who regard classic cars from a particular era as Time Machines which re-connect people to their past – whether they are fondly remembered family cars or old runabouts that they first learnt to drive in.”

Among the vehicles shipped out of Avonmouth in the last couple of months were a Ford Mustang, a TVR Tamora, a Bentley Continental, a brace of classic Vincent and Triumph motorbikes and a former London taxi bound for a new life in the United Arab Emirates.

However, Land Rovers remain the top target for overseas enthusiasts.

“Land Rover Defenders are amongst the most frequently carried. They are a great business for us. The Americans love them.”

One advantage is that older models are as much in demand as the newer ones. If they are more than 25 years old they are easier to import than the new models which are subject to import duties.

“We have five to six customers in the States who are shipping the older models out there. They like to bling them up creating instant classics.”

For further details go to https://www.autoshippers.co.uk/classic-cars.htm