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The Story of the Light Car Company

About the Light Car Company: Our famous Rocket car

Light Car Company Rocket

The story of The Light Car Company Ltd started in the early 1990s when ex-Grand Prix driver Chris Craft and McLaren legend Gordon Murray designed and built the most iconic motorcycle-engine car ever produced: The Light Car Company Rocket.

This car set the standard for future lightweight cars to come, with its incredible power-to-weight ratio and breath-taking road handling. Hand built, using the lessons learnt from years of F1 design, the Rocket remains a must have for many private collectors including famous names such as Jay Leno.

During this period, the Light Car Company was involved in several research and development projects, progressing on from the Rocket with lightweight chassis development taking on new challenges such as building a LeMans 24hr race car from scratch. It was during this time that Chris Holley joined the business, focusing full-time on the fabrication of the complex elements that make the Rocket so special.

Many clients at the time had connections with classic motorsport either as drivers or owners and The Light Car Company was given the opportunity to prepare many historic cars to compete in events in the UK and across the globe. As time passed, this part of the business developed to not only offer race and road preparation but also the rebuilding and restoration of classic cars.

As the world changed and the manufacture of the Rocket became bogged-down with red-tape, the core business shifted to the preservation and restoration of all marques of classic cars and motorcycles.

Whilst the company specialises in pre-80’s Ferraris, we are able to breathe new life into any forgotten and neglected vehicles, be they road or race. We have prepared cars for some of the world’s most prestigious Concourse events and competitions.

About the The Light Car Company: Chris Holley busy in the workshop Today, Chris Holley is Director and oversees the day-to-day operations along with his son George who is Workshop Manager. George grew up watching his father working with a range of beautiful and historic vehicles; so after he completed his degree in Motorsport engineering and design, he joined the company and 10 years later they manage the daily running of the business together.

Over the years, the company has expanded and in 2019, we moved into a larger workshop on the same premises in Oxfordshire. At any one time we will have over 150 classic cars in our care. Everything from a Citreon 2CV through to Ferrari 250s, 275s and everything in between.

We are always looking for highly skilled and experienced mechanics. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Chris Holley at [email protected].

Meet the team

Chris Holley
Director

Chris is the longest standing member of The Light Car Company and has been working with the businesses for over 25 years. He started off as a fabricator, working on the complex parts that made the famous Light Car Company Rocket so special and overtime expanded his work on all marques of classic cars and motorcycles. Chris is an avid metal detectorist and can often be found searching for lost treasures across the Oxfordshire countryside or tinkering with his collection of motorcycles.

George Holley
Workshop Manager

George has been in the business since he completed his degree in Motorsport Engineering in 2008 and is responsible for the daily running of the workshop. George grew up watching his father working on the Rocket, alongside some of the world's rarest and most beautiful cars and now he gets to work on some of the same vehicles. Both himself and Chris have an interest in classic motorbikes and enjoy going for long rides.

Jamie Clinker
Mechanic

Jamie has over 15 years' experience in the motor vehicle trade and prior to working at The Light Car Company, owned his own garage. Jamie is also an avid motorbike fan and enjoys taking part in track days both on his motorbike and in track cars.

Jenni Purdie
Administrator

Jenni is responsible for The Light Car Company office and administrative duties, as well as keeping the boys in check on a daily basis. She will often be the first point of call for clients calling the workshop. In her spare time she can be found at music festivals or looking after her grandchildren and she enjoys living in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside where she can walk her dogs.

Darryl Bryan
Coach Trimmer

Darryl has over 30 years' experience in the restoration of classic and vintage cars. He specialises in pre-war Rolls Royces and Bentleys with a more recent focus on classic Ferraris. When he is not working at The Light Car Company he resides in his house in the South of France.

Sarah Phillips
Marketing Executive

Sarah was brought into the business in 2020 to help the team build a new website which truly reflects the special nature of the business. She works part-time for The Light Car Company and also works for a business which researches openings and closures trends of shops on the high street.

Join our team

We are always on the lookout for talented mechanics with experience in classic cars to join our team. If you are interested in a job at The Light Car Company Ltd, please send your CV to [email protected]

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