In a world where modern motors are more about tech than touch, it’s reassuring to meet people who still believe in the power of craftsmanship.
Enter Tom, founder of Steaming Leather, who runs a workshop that doesn’t just restore cars, it resurrects them.
Based in Wiltshire, Steaming Leather is no ordinary workshop. Specialising in classic car restoration, classic auto repair, and upholstery so fine it belongs in a Savile Row suit, Tom transforms tired cars into showstoppers. From welding chassis to reupholstering dashboards in hand-stitched leather, this is car restoration as an art form.
Tom is particularly fond of Land Rover Defenders, VW T4s, and the classics that make car enthusiasts drool – Jensens, Esprits, Series 3s. Every job is done with meticulous care, and each project begins the same way: strip it back to the bones, and rebuild it stronger, shinier, and more beautiful than ever.
Q&A with Tom from Steaming Leather
Q: Tom, let’s start at the beginning. What kind of work do you do at Steaming Leather?
Tom: We take on full-scale classic car repair and restoration projects. That means everything from welding and engine work to complete reupholstery. A lot of the cars that come in haven’t turned over in years. We get them roadworthy again – but not just roadworthy. We make them beautiful. I’ve got a real eye for detail and work hard to rebuild these vehicles with as much care as the original makers.
We recently had a customer bring in a Land Rover Series 3 for his birthday. It’s having a nut-and-bolt rebuild and full strip-down ready for a luxury restoration. Think all new interior with luxury leather trim. But, he’s not told his wife about this one yet, so we’ll have to keep the rest under wraps!
Q: That sounds like a dream job. Tell us more about your classic car clients.
Tom: We’ve got a few loyal customers with incredible collections. Mark, for example, brings us some beautiful motors. We recently restored his Jensen Interceptor with a full leather interior. We replaced the dash, seats, door panels, everything. That’s what I love: taking a worn classic car and restoring it so it feels better than new.
Q: Do you have a personal favourite project?
Tom: That’s easy. We did a full restoration on a Lotus Esprit recently. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with that car. Proper Bond vibes, you know? So getting to work on one – really work on one – was unreal. We stripped it right back, created brand new cream leather seats with bespoke red trim piping on, and a customised interior. Sitting in that driver’s seat after we finished… that was a pinch-me moment.
Q: You clearly love what you do. Any passion projects outside of cars?
Tom: Yeah, funny enough – we also reupholster and restore vintage chairs. It started as a way to get creative with fabrics and push our upholstery skills. We’ve done classic Ercol chairs, vintage cinema seats, all sorts. What started as a side hustle has really taken off. It’s good fun, gives us a break from engine oil, and it stops some beautiful old furniture from ending up in the skip.
Craftsmanship, Leather, Legacy
Whether it’s a Lotus, a Land Rover, or a 1950s cinema seat, Steaming Leather treats every project with obsessive attention to detail. Tom is more than a repairer and restorer – he is a craftsman who is passionate about what he does.
His workshop is where leather repair meets engineering precision. Where classic car repair becomes restoration with reverence. Where the cars you dreamed about as a teenager are given a new lease of life, one stitch, weld, and polish at a time.
If you’ve got a classic car project sitting in a garage, or a vintage vehicle you’ve been meaning to bring back to life, there’s no better time than now. Tom is the kind of person who gets it. He cares as much about your car as you do.
➡️ Visit Steaming Leather’s profile on We Are Repairs to see their latest work and enquire about your own restoration dream.
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