Martin Thaddeus was born in Crawley in 1959, one of nine children. On leaving art college, Martin worked as a graphic artist to a local paper, but surgery to his right wrist prompted a change of direction, and he retrained in panel-beating._x000B_ After 10 years in crash repair and salvage, Martin chose to specialise in classic restoration, which appealed more to his creative nature._x000B_ Martin has written several restoration books covering painting, restoring bodywork, and electrics of classic cars._x000B_Married for 23 years and with three grown up children, Martin recently lost a kidney, while his wife Elaine gained one!