Clayton has been leading technical innovation for vehicle heating systems for more than one hundred years.
It was at the forefront long before it began transferring these skills to the classic car sector, marked in 2002 with the formal launch of our Clayton Classics division.
While the expertise is a century-old, the bespoke heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems provide a level of performance found in modern vehicles, making them important as ever in 2025.
History in the making
It’s no accident that Clayton Classics is renowned around the world as an innovator in heating and air conditioning systems.
Clayton’s engineering expertise can be traced back to the early 1920s and has benefitted bus and train operators, together with the marine industry.
It was the 1950s that saw Clayton’s first steps into the automotive arena when aftermarket heating and ventilation systems were offered for Land Rovers.
The car side of the business continued to grow, ultimately seeing the first appearance of the Clayton Classics name some 23 years ago.
By concentrating on older vehicles, Clayton Classics offers a superior level of service for classic car owners, through bespoke upgrades, servicing and full restorations. Ready-to-install climate control systems are also supplied directly to customers to fit themselves.
individuality and originality
However, our century old expertise never forgets that our customers have their own individual needs.
This ethos means our bespoke air conditioning systems are designed for specific models and the owner’s requirements.
Parts and tooling remain original, a very appealing factor in today’s modern world with owners seeking authenticity, and a key success in Clayton Classics’ ever-growing reputation around the world.
Located at the heart of the UK’s motor industry, our Coventry premises is the base of this technical excellence, with more than 600 systems made, either exported or installed, and with over 30 vehicle marques benefitting from our expertise – with more to come.
testing systems to the extreme
An unwavering commitment to innovation means our heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have been tested around the world, including in rallies as far away as New Zealand and California.
Clayton Classics is also able to call upon Clayton’s wider expertise in manufacturing heating systems in large vehicle fleets.
As a result, Clayton Classics has grown to become a global market leader, especially for E-Types, ensuring our cutting-edge systems offer a level of performance that is fit for today’s technologically advanced world.
a personal touch for classic car owners
Classic car owners are as unique as the cars they own.
Our dedicated and professional team of engineers and restorers take the time to tailor every approach to the needs of the customer and their vehicle. After all, we’re classic car enthusiasts ourselves!
This attention to detail has built an enviable reputation for exceeding our customer’s expectations, where functionality meets ultimate performance.
want to know more?
The West Midlands is the heart of British car making and we love meeting our customers at our Coventry facility.
It’s a great opportunity to understand what is important to them, while they can learn about our century-old history, of which we’re incredibly proud.
For owners who cannot visit our premises, they can contact us via the Clayton Classics website to talk to one of our experts about their vehicle, whether they want to upgrade it, restore it or just have an inspection.