Visit to Jim Stokes Workshops, Waterlooville 25 March 2025

Jim Stokes Workshops was established over 40 years ago. Having served his apprenticeship, during which he spent time working within legendary companies such as Aston Martin, Jim decided to strike out on his own. From a home workshop he began repairing, restoring and rebuilding historic racing cars of all the great marques, but one marque in particular has always stood out for Jim and has long been the focal point of his work: Alfa Romeo. Over the following years JSW has earned such a reputation for this legendary marque that even the Alfa Romeo museum (www.museoalfaromeo.com ) have enlisted his help. Indeed, such is the knowledge and experience now held within the business the JSW Group has largely become the first port of call for any owner, current or prospective, of a pre-war Alfa Romeo.

In the course of four decades the business has grown to employ fifty highly skilled engineers and support staff in five buildings with the aim being to bring as much work in-house as possible via the different divisions of the organisation.

And what a welcome they gave to us SexMoggers! We were treated to a tour of every workshop at the Waterlooville location. They make new engines for pre-war Alfa-Romeos and appear to be able to restore virtually anything on wheels. We saw two very early Reliant vans with Austin Seven engines and motorcycle front wheel steering. We drooled over an Indianapolis 500 Miller part way through restoration. We were told that an Alfa-Romeo monoposto from pre-war racing days had been geared down from its top speed of 190 mph to 130 mph at the request of its owner.

And then there was a slap-up buffet lunch where we were told that all profits from these visits go to St Wilfred’s Hospice.

You did us proud Jim Stokes.

With thanks for photos from Mike Wilson and Alan Sharpe (the latter photos taken from the booklet issued).