I started John Shinton Models about 17 years ago following some time as the wind tunnel model maker for Tom Walkinshaw Racing on the Jaguar Team.
Working with Ross Brawn, I produced the 1/4^th scale models for the Jaguar XJR 14, that went on to win the World Sportscar Championship. I also did some development work on the Jaguar XJR 12 for the Le Mans 24 hour race, that also proved a winner that year. This followed 22 years as a Pattern Maker, learning the trade from my Dad in Wolverhampton.
I started as a professional model maker with a range of Land Speed Record cars in 1/43^rd scale, selling them as kits and hand built models, and then went on to a range of Historic Grand Prix cars, also as 1/43^rd scale kits or hand built models. My last 1/43^rd scale model was the Thrust SSC that set the first Supersonic Land Speed Record.
I was then commissioned to produce a series of 1/8^th scale models of the Austin Healey 100, including the 100M and the 100S, for Charles Matthews of Triple M. Most of the models built have been customised replicas of the clients own cars.

Along the way I have done many one-off promotional models for sponsors and advertising, of both cars and boats. I am always available for commissions for a "one-off" or a series of any subject in any scale. I was involved for some time with Quicksilver. A jet powered boat project to attempt to break the World Water Speed Record. I did a lot of the wind-tunnel and test tank work on the boat, and now produce 1/20^th scale model for sponsors and collectors.

Over the years I have made models for Sir Jack Brabham, John Watson, Jackie Oliver, Lord Hesketh, Gina Campbell, Tom Green and Murray Walker.
Apart from my own products, I have produced master patterns and artwork for other manufacturers, such as 'Grand Prix Mobilia, 'Javan Smith' and 'Maxi Models'.
At the moment I am in production with a 1/8^th scale Lola T-70 Mk3B. My next 1/8^th scale release will be the Chaparral 2F, and I am also working on the master pattern for a 1/8^th scale Lotus 62 and Lotus Europa, that I will be producing for 'Europa Engineering'.

We have also played with full sized racing cars in the past. I have raced Formula Ford and Formula 1300, and we have run my son Jody in an Autograss Mini as a 16year old in Junior Class.