I’m Martin Thompson, founder of PR-Developments.

Since 1997 I have owned, driven, engineered and developed Peugeot 205s, turning a lifelong obsession into a full-time career built around engineering, creativity and problem solving.

More than 25 years later, I am still fortunate enough to spend my working life doing something I genuinely love. What started as a passion for the Peugeot 205 has evolved into one of the most technically diverse Peugeot specialists in the UK, with over 60 hand-built vehicles, engine packages and custom projects completed over the years.

Raised in an enthusiastic and creative family with strong roots in engineering and motorsport, my childhood revolved around building, repairing and understanding how things worked. From Lego Technic and Meccano to RC racing and motorsport events, I developed an obsession with mechanical systems and how even the smallest detail could completely change the way something performed.

That naturally progressed into heavy engineering and fabrication work from the age of 18, manufacturing and machining industrial roller shutter systems for companies such as British Aerospace, before moving into agricultural engineering, breakdown work, servicing and fabrication.

I have always learned through doing.

I’m far more comfortable with tools in my hands than rehearsed sales pitches, and that mentality still defines PR-Developments today. I constantly push myself to learn new engineering methods, manufacturing processes and technologies, combining old-school engineering principles with modern systems and fabrication techniques.

I have become well known for an unorthodox and highly creative approach to engineering challenges. I do not believe every problem is solved by simply throwing money at it. I prefer to understand the root cause, think outside the box and engineer proper long-term solutions.

Unlike many companies, the person you speak to is the same person who designs, fabricates, wires, assembles, maps, tests and supports your vehicle throughout its entire journey.

I do not outsource work to contractors or inexperienced staff.

In many ways, I become your personal vehicle engineer, project manager and maintenance specialist all in one.

I am here for every aspect of your vehicle’s existence and development. As long as advice is followed correctly, your vehicle will not have a better place.

What matters most to me is not status, social media image or building a giant corporation. My goal has always been to build a stable, respected and trusted engineering business with a strong reputation for quality workmanship, honesty and technical capability.

PR-Developments remains intentionally small, because smaller means better attention to detail, better communication and ultimately better workmanship.

How Is PR-Developments Different?

PR-Developments is heavily engineering focused.

I do not operate as a traditional “bolt-on parts” garage or sales-driven workshop. I have no interest in pushing unnecessary products or upselling customers for the sake of profit.

Everything is built around solving problems properly and producing reliable, usable and well-engineered vehicles.

Over the years the business has expanded far beyond general mechanical work and now incorporates an unusually broad range of specialist in-house services, including:

MIG, TIG, gas, laser and fabrication welding

Motorsport fabrication and chassis development

Aqua blasting, chemical cleaning and laser cleaning

Bespoke wiring looms, PDM systems and ECU integration

CAD design and component development

Carbon fibre 3D printing and prototype manufacturing

Laser etching and custom component finishing

Injector testing and cleaning

Tube notching, sheet folding and jig table fabrication

Panel beading and dimple die fabrication

Custom engine conversions and motorsport preparation

Full restorations and complete chassis rebuilds

There are very few Peugeot specialists offering this level of in-house capability under one roof.

This allows projects to be engineered properly from start to finish without relying heavily on outside companies, reducing compromises while maintaining consistency throughout the build.

Large Projects

PR-Developments has dedicated workshop space specifically for large-scale projects including:

Full restorations

Motorsport preparation

Rear engine conversions

Bespoke chassis fabrication

Complete rewires and PDM conversions

Custom engine development projects

These projects operate differently to standard workshop bookings.

There are no unrealistic time pressures or rushed deadlines. The focus is always on completing the vehicle correctly rather than quickly.

Large projects are operated on a staged rolling invoice system with a minimum weekly labour commitment. This structure allows extensive preparation work, parts sourcing, fabrication and component building to happen properly without compromising quality.

Many vehicles are substantially prepared months before arriving on site, allowing final assembly and completion to happen far more efficiently once the vehicle enters the workshop.

PR-Developments also undertakes selected subcontract engineering and fabrication work for external companies, motorsport teams, media projects and specialist industries where confidentiality, technical ability and problem solving are essential.

Privacy and discretion remain of the utmost importance throughout all projects.