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  Mark Barton began his apprenticeship with Aston Martin in the early 1970s beginning his education in the craft of English metal forming. He learned the trade by assembling the V8 Series cars along with the Lagondas and Vantage models. He spent 3 years working with the craftsmen at the Newport Pagnell factory before finishing up his apprenticeship with Rolls Royce. During the years spent at Rolls Royce Mark built the Phantom VI, the last hand formed bodies from the factory at Rolls. Models after the Phantom VI incorporated some modern manufacturing techniques that eliminated some of the hand forming that panel beaters had perfected for centuries.  Steve Hall was accepted into the Roll Royce Apprenticeship program in 1972 after excelling to the top of his class in trade school. He learned how to fabricate panels at the Rolls Royce factory from the teachings of master panel beaters and where he also met Mark Barton. Steve completed his training and began work for Grand Prix Metalcraft which eventually brought him to the United States. Mark was recruited by the same fabricators Steve was working for in the States, and the two found themselves working together again like they did at the Rolls Factory. Mark and Steve formed a partnership in 1982 that eventually became The Panel Shop in Stratford, Connecticut. Through the years, Mark and Steve have fabricated dozens of automotive bodies, some of them with great significance. Bugattis, Ferraris, Alfas, and many other hand made cars are easily formed by either Mark or Steve. Their classic training and familiarity with British cars also makes them an excellent choice to work on Jaguars, Rolls Royce, and Aston Martins. Their ability to fabricate full bodies does not limit them from doing smaller jobs. Feel free to contact them with your project and needs. |