Written by Rosemarijn Atalante Veenenbos

After the intro of what is going to be an intense story, we’ll make a pitstop at a very nice and impressive workshop located in Wommelgem in Belgium. This area is one I love to visit, since there are many great places with fine automobiles, and this is one of the workshops I have to tell you about. By the way, close to this workshop is another one, LMB. The showroom of LMB will be the next home of Amillion, so soon more about that and LMB.

The pitstop I am talking about is at Historic Competition Services. To start with the background of HCS, the knowledgeable owner Julian Messent, has many years experience working on world’s most exotic and special automobiles and other exotic machinery. From helicopter engines to race winning pre-war GP cars, endurance rally cars, and just about everything in between.

The connoisseur Julian has earlier been active for LMB Racing, the workshop I already mentioned.

Not long ago Julian decided to start his own business, and he appears to be a kind of wizard, because in the extremely short period of just one year he has created his own thriving business, Historic Competition Services. Julian is an absolutely wonderful person, and being an engineer with 34 years of experience, I have a lot of respect for him! He is a passonate petrol head and as he likes to say; “Give me your dream and I’ll make it come true!” HCS specializes in a variety of services. Restoration, renovation, recreation and preparation as well as buying and selling, etc. Click here for more information.

As we now know a bit about this company, let’s have a look at the workshop and showroom, because I can tell you everything I liked there so much, but imagination is not enough for this. As you’ll see, HCS is a castle of dream cars : ) Lagonda M45, Lagonda M45R, Alfa Romeo 1750, Invicta 4.5 litre, Delage, 1952 Frazer Nash Le Mans Rep, 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290B Spezial Roadster, 1926 Mercedes-Benz 12/55 Pullmann, Fiat Dagrada, Siata, Riley Sprite, Riley MPH, 1930 Bentley 4,5 Litre Blower, 1958 BMW 507 Roadster, 1936 Talbot Lago 150C, 1934 Aston Martin Le Mans MKII. You name it, and it’s all here right in front of you. Not to forget the MG K3 special racing car, I really like that little beast!

As a driver of a vintage car you can get a special HCS experience, since they also have a shop with vintage driver’s clothing. When I was at Interclassics Brussels, I passed by a stand with very impressive cars, but there was also a kind of costume party going on. I was not to sure what was going on, but now I understand : ) The vintage clothing service gives this young company just that extra special touch.

By the way, at the 100 Miles of Amsterdam, I noticed a very nice Lagonda… It seems that Julian is also known around the world as one of the leading experts for pre-war Lagondas. The beauty below has been in the hands of this automotive wizard.

Make sure to get enough sleep, because tomorrow we’ll continue our intense journey in a world full of sex, drugs and cocktails. I know it’s risky, but we’ll step into the car of world’s famous Bentley boy ever!