Coachlines - January 2024

30.01.24 Past Master Sarah Sillars

A private visit to Studio 434 – Rodger Dudding’s collection


On 7th March 2024 Past Master Sarah Sillars OBE will be making a visit to Studio 434, Rodger Dudding’s outstanding collection of automobiles in North London. More than 100 years of motoring is represented here, starting with a stately 1911 Vulcan 15.9hp tourer with dicky seat right up to a 2017 Rolls Royce Wraith – the most powerful car in Rolls Royce’s history.

Studio434® is claimed to be Europe’s largest private car collection based at two locations in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The collection features classic cars from the 1900s to the present day and currently totals some 450 cars.

The collection reflects the UK and European motor industry and includes the largest collection of Clyno classic cars which, back in the 1930s, was the third largest UK motor manufacturer next to Austin and Morris.

The collection also includes some very rare models including a DeLorean, a Railton, a prototype Lotus together with a large selection of Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jensen, Jaguar, together with many more regular but very collectable models.

Studio434® has been put together by Rodger Dudding who has been investing in cars and motorcycles for some 40 years. Rodger is a great supporter of the legendary car designer William Towns and he now has some 25 Aston Martin Lagonda Wedge models.

One visitor to the collection, Mike Smith, commented on Google: “A vast and eclectic collection of cars. Not only extensive, but you can touch them and sit in them. Got to be on your list of places to visit.”  You can take an advance look for yourself by watching the AutoExpress report of its visit at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQr-5seVuxU

The collection is not open to the general public but increasingly Studio434 is a must-see location for a number of car clubs. The cost of the visit will be £45 per person. Sarah has 10 places available to fellow Coachmakers, so please email her directly on sarahsillars@hotmail.com if you would like to attend with or without guests, confirming how many places you would like.

Timings:   10.30am at Studio 434, 434-436 Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3AT

After the visit an optional lunch has been arranged at The Strafford, close by Studio 434. Payment for lunch will be made individually,  but if you are wishing to book lunch please confirm this in your email to Sarah so that she can manage numbers.

Some of our Livery have had the chance to visit Studio 434 previously. If you haven’t been before, don’t miss this opportunity to visit an amazing collection of cars, along with 20 friends and colleagues from the Fellowship of the Motor Industry.