About Conver-Tech

The Conver-Tech story, so far.
Alf and Paul joined forces to form Conver-Tech, initially developing a left to right-hand drive conversion for the American Hum Vee and various air and hydraulic suspension systems for disability vehicles.

They both enjoyed the technical challenges of this type of work and found great satisfaction in restoring mobility to their clients. A notable example was the development of a wheelchair-access conversion for the Chrysler Voyager.

The company is now dedicated solely to converting and adapting disability vehicles. Their conversions are wide ranging and include the luxury Chrysler Grand Voyager, the semi high roof VW, with extended height rear doors and their own unique Renault Kangoo.

Currently, Alf and Paul are heading the Conver-Tech development of Citroen and Peugeot models, along with many other van, mpv and car modifications.

Alf Richards
Alf Richards left school at fifteen and completed and apprenticeship in development engineering. In his twenties, he turned his hobby into a business specialising in rally and custom car building /preparation combined with bespoke vehicle engineering.

In this period he created many show cars, eventually making the transition into classic car restoration, including making hand made body panels and re-finishing. The business had an enviable reputation for quality, grew and diversified into crash repairs, but the creative engineering bug remained.

A stint in the kit car world came and went but Alf enjoys the challenge of creating. This resulted in some one off cars, notably the A.W.R special, which has won many trophies and is famous in the show car world.

The next move was to work with long-term friend Paul Keegan building exciting and technically diverse vehicles. They created a six-wheel drive transmission system for Toyota Land Cruisers and six-wheel drive V12 BMW powered Range Rovers. Alf and Paul also designed and made suspension, steering and chassis systems that excelled through vigorous testing. The high point of this era being a six-wheel drive, six-wheel steering Hum Vee.

Before starting Conver-Tech with Paul, Alf had a short interlude and turned a Volkswagen VWT25 crew cab, pickup truck into a mid engine V8 powered beast!

Paul Keegan
Like many young lads, Paul was motorcycle mad and like Alf was the beginning of a career in vehicle development engineering. Paul also left school at fifteen gaining experience and City and Guilds, leading to a job with the AA and various garages, doing repairs, welding etc.

Becoming bored with working on everyday cars, Paul joined Merlin Conversions and found he really enjoyed the variety of special projects. This work led to do work on the London taxi developments.

About this time, Paul met Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell. Don Wales was continuing the family tradition of land speed record breaking and set about the record for electric cars. Paul became a key part of the team and added his experience in specialist bodywork, which was essential to the project's success.

Bluebird Electric broke the British Land Speed Record (for electrically powered cars) on 18th June 2000 achieving 128 mph and it was time for Paul to move on.

He moved to a new company, Asquith Cars Ltd, who hand built 1930’s style vehicles. Asquith moved production to Poland and Paul moved to a conversion company, Alf joined the team and they produced the Toyotas, Range Rovers and Hum Vees (described above) before forming Conver-Tech with Alf.