Richard has been involved in the study and restoration of early motor vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, for 60 years, beginning when the restoration movement for such vehicles was in its very early stages.  At that time there were still people with knowledge and experience of maintaining and operating vehicles pre- WWI, and Richard was able to “download”, as we would say today, this information and record it to the benefit of his own and others’ restorations

He learned that 'preservation and proper conservation require a thorough understanding of the machine, its design and the limitations of the technology available as well as the materials, workshop facilities and legislation of their time.

Richard initially concentrated on refurbishing significant vehicles of the early period, often from near derelict condition.  His results were widely admired, frequently achieving premier awards at major events and attracting interest from major institutions and collectors.  He became a professional restorer and quickly built a powerful team to put to use his research and knowledge.

Richard has built a notable archive of research material and photographs.  He has served on the National Motor Museum Advisory Council for many years and has supplemented the Museum’s reference library collections.

In recent years his conservation skills have primarily been concentrated on cars from the early veteran period with clients worldwide and examples of his conservation work are on display in several continental motor museums.

His writing has contributed to the dissemination of knowledge of early vehicles via enthusiast magazines and via vehicle preservation club publications, including compiling the programme for the annual Historic Commercial Vehicle Run from London to Brighton, and he has recently secured a home for the archive of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.  A lifelong dedication.