John Burton grew up in Northern England and started working on cars, a Ford Cortina Mk2 at the age of 14. He gained significant experience over the next several years repairing and reselling vehicles, most being acquired from the local breakers yard, all while completing a Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship. His first introduction to “Classic” British cars belonged to his mentor, a 1935 Morgan 3 wheeler project.
Over the years he has always worked in some sort of Engineering role with in a Production environment, but always preferred to tinker with cars. He has personally owned over 40 British cars and worked on many more, from Triumphs, Austin Healey’s, and MG’S.
He and Diane came to the US in 1993, bringing photos of the Healey he hoped to own someday. He did indeed find a basket case 1954 Austin Healey 100, that he restored completely and now sits in his garage. Originally settling in Akron Ohio working as a Plant Manager with in the Plastics Industry. After several cold winters they moved and settled in the upstate, and now enjoy retired life with their three sons and extended families.
He retired form “Real Work” in 2008 and started John’s British Classics and over the next 10 years ran a business in the upstate Restoring and Maintaining many British Sports Cars. Focusing on Triumphs, MG’S, Healey’s and the occasional Jaguar.
