About VBE

Founder · 1946 – 2017

Richard Cresswell

Having completed an apprenticeship at Jaguar Cars, VBE founder Richard Cresswell began his many years of vehicle development on the Jaguar XJ6 prototype test programme. He extended his driving experience racing in the British Clubman's Championship — and, seeking a performance advantage, created his own make of vehicle, "The Phantom", which carried him to the 1974 Clubman's Championship title.

In the early 1980s Jaguar sent Richard to set up and run its North American extreme-weather test facilities, designing and building the base in the Sonoran Desert where temperatures frequently reached 48°C. He went on to lead Jaguar's Vehicle Proving Group — previously managed by the legendary Norman Dewis — overseeing test operations in five countries alongside all UK testing.

In his spare time Richard rebuilt a 6½ Litre Bentley which had competed at Brooklands in the mid-thirties. He left Jaguar in the early 1990s to found VBE Restorations, while continuing freelance testing of contemporary vehicles — including Bentleys and the fabulous McLaren F1 road car.

Managing the Business

Tim Cresswell

Tim completed a four-year Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship at GEC-Alsthom Turbines Division, training in all aspects of machining and precision fitting, before becoming a turbine engineer specialising in quality inspections — latterly as a consultant based in Australia, travelling internationally to conduct on-site inspections.

In 2008 Tim joined the family business — something he had always wanted to do. Having worked hands-on in every department of VBE Restorations, and developed new sections of the business including the production of high-quality vintage Bentley replacement parts, he runs the business at an operational level today.