The driving season has started – workshop update
Spring has arrived, we have finally had some sunshine and it feels like the classic car season is already in full swing. What a busy few weeks it has been with the Goodwood Members Meeting and the XK Media Day amongst other events. We also have many events to be looking forward to over the coming months. We are particularly excited for the second Mike Hawthorn Memorial Track Day at Goodwood in July. More on that later in this update.
We have been hard at work getting cars finished and ready to be enjoyed in the better weather. The workshop and storage level remain full of every kind of classic Jaguar you care to think of. As you can see from this photo we have plenty of variety in the workshop ranging from the MKV, which is nearly ready to leave us through the full range of XKs all the way to a pair of E-Types in for servicing and much more upstairs.
In this week’s update, we look back at the XK Media Day at Bicester Heritage, we look forward to the Mike Hawthorn Memorial Trackday and we look around at some of the fantastic cars we have in the workshop.
Jaguar XK Media Day
A couple of weeks ago we took part in the first Jaguar XK Media Day at Bicester Heritage. This day brought together specialists and XK Club members to allow members of the media to experience what XKs are all about. The day saw examples of every model and body style of XK come together in an unrivalled display to show off how lovely these cars are. More than that they were out on the track providing passenger rides allowing people to truly experience what XKs are all about.
We went up in our fully restored Jaguar XK140 drophead coupe “Reggie”. Reggie is the ideal car for these kinds of events as it has been tastefully upgraded to be as drivable and reliable as possible. The fast road engine and five-speed gearbox made the 100-mile motorway journey each way pass effortlessly. The electric cooling fan and header tank meant that passing through heavy traffic wasn’t an issue and the upgraded wiper system meant that even heavy rain showers couldn’t dampen our mood on the way home.
Please click here to read a full article about the day.
Twin Jaguar XK140s
This was a photo opportunity we didn’t want to miss. Suede Green is quite a rare and unusual colour for an XK so to have these two Suede Green XK140 drophead coupes parked next to each other was something of a treat. Both of these cars were restored here at Twyford Moors but the work was carried out about a decade apart. It is, we feel, one of the best demonstrations of the care and attention we put into our restorations that they last so well. I would be very impressed if anyone could guess which restoration was the older of the two.
Both cars have been used extensively and were built to do so. They have both toured widely and the car on the left is in fact our fully restored XK140 DHC which we use for tours and events regularly. They have both been sympathetically upgraded to be reliable and comfortable to drive though they do have a number of differences in their specification. The most obvious difference is the hood colour with our car having a French Grey hood and the other having a Sand hood. Both colour combinations work well.
Jaguar E-Type restoration
If you are a regular reader of our updates you may well have seen the images we shared of this E-Type as we stripped it down. If you did see the photos the car appeared in fairly good order and was running and driving when brought into us. The owner knew that to get it to the standard he wanted the only way to go was a full nut and bolt restoration. We have now had the bodyshell dipped to remove all paint and filler. Although we were expecting the body to require significant bodywork we have to admit we were surprised by the extent of poor historic repairs which were rather well hidden under the paint. It is quite impressive what can be hidden under seemingly nice bodywork.
We will now set about repairing the bodywork as required. The floors, rear wings and sills will all require attention. It is also vital when carrying out this kind of work to attend to the areas that cannot be seen as well as what is on the surface. We will for example remove the sills to allow the inner strengthening to be repaired as this area is prone to corrosion.
Jaguar MKII Power Steering
This Jaguar MKII has been in with us to have power steering fitted. Over the years we have seen many MKII saloons with hydraulic power steering rack fitted. Many people feel this is an improvement as it replaces the old steering box. Unfortunately, it also alters the steering geometry such that the cars no longer manoeuvre and handle as originally designed. We do not feel this is a compromise worth making. Additionally, we feel that having a hydraulic pump, hose work and everything else which goes with a hydraulic power steering system looks out of character under the bonnet of a MKII.
MKII saloon steering can be poor when not properly maintained. Not only can you get play in the usual places like track rod ends but you have the steering idler, steering box and other joints which could create play. When in well-maintained condition the steering on a MKII can feel precise and responsive.
As such, we prefer to leave the original steering box in place and use an electric power steering motor at the top of the column. This leaves the car looking and driving as originally intended. The system can also be switched on and off depending on driving conditions.
MGB GT V8
There is often something no Jaguar somewhere in the workshop. This week we have this rather fun MGB GT. The owner has been moving house locally so brought the car down to us to be stored whilst he moved. Given the car was with us he asked us to give it a check-over, service and MOT. Are attending to a few minor jobs including changing the brake pads, replacing some perished hoses and giving the car a bit of a tune.
We love these little MGs and when fitted with the V8 engine they really do go well. Although the later cars with the rubber bumpers like this are arguably less attractive and certainly less sought after than the early chrome bumper cars we think they have a charm of their own. If nothing else they are great value for money and a simple classic car to own and maintain. A well-looked-after MGB should be a very reliable and usable classic.
Although we are best known for our specialism and knowledge in XKs and E-Types our team have a broad and varied background which means we can cater for most classic cars. If your classic is in need of attention do feel free to get in touch.
Mike Hawthorn Memorial Track Day – Goodwood Motor Circuit
Following the success of the 2023 Mike Hawthorn Memorial Track Day the organisers have decided to host the event again on Wednesday the 3rd of July 2024. Last year saw a fantastic gathering of classic cars ranging from racing MK1 saloons to road-going XK120s, XK140s and XK150s take to the track to celebrate Mke Hawthons life. In addition the the on-track action there was an unrivalled gathering of MK1 saloons on the pit straight as pictured here. We were in attendance along with many of our customers and a fun day was had by all.
The track day is limited to just 60 cars but with a 105db noise limit all but the raciest XKs will be able to make full use of the track. Twyford Moors will be on-site throughout the day to chat all things XK and E-Type. There is additionally a very reasonably priced hospitality package available for lunch in the Jackie Stuart Pavilion. The food there is always top-notch!
The event is open to all cars of the type that Mike Hawthorn would have driving, both road and race cars. If you are looking for a fun, relaxed and informal opportunity to get your car out on the Goodwood circuit and to spend time with other classic Jaguar enthusiasts then please get in touch.
Jaguar XK150 polyurethane suspension bushes
This Jaguar XK150 joined us for its annual service and to have its perished suspension bushes attended to. When the car was in for its previous service we advised the owner that the suspension bushes were excessively perished and would need to be replaced in the future. Every car that comes in for a service receives a thorough inspection checking over 100 points ranging from the suspension to the electrics. We will then provide the owner with a report on the car highlighting any areas in need to attention and making recommendations for the future.
With the car back in with us the owner of this XK150 decided it was the right time to have the suspension bushes replaced. Jaguar XKs are fantastic sportscars and were well ahead of their time in terms of suspension design. This suspension design was a significant factor in the motorsport success that the XKs had leading on to the C and D-Type race cars. If however, this suspension is not properly maintained and in particular if the bushes are not doing their job properly then the ride and handling of the car can be compromised. A rebuild with a good quality set of polyurethane suspension bushes will see this XK driving better than ever.
Jaguar XK engine rebuilds
Our engine rebuild area is very busy at the moment with a succession of XK engines working their way through. Pictured here are two blocks at the very early stage of a rebuild. They have been chemically cleaned inside and out. This is done by submersing them in a chemical tank to ensure every part of the block is cleaned including inside the waterway. They have then both been machined and painted ready for reassembly.
In the foreground is a 3.4 litre XK140 engine. This is the original engine for the car it belongs to and although it is being gently breathed on with lightening, balancing and an uprated timing chain tensioner, it will be left looking very original.
Behind it you can see a later 4.2 litre block which started its life in an XJ6. This is being built to a fast road specification and is destined to be fitted into a MKII saloon. The MKII in question is a rather fun “resto-mod” type car. With this new engine, combined with the five-speed gearbox we have been asked to fit, it promises to be a fantastic car to drive.
Jaguar XK150 trimming
The Jaguar XK150 pictured here has been with us for its annual service, to have a period radio fitted and a few other mechanical items attended to. The owner also wanted the car retrimmed this year. The trim inside and out was a little tired on the car so it was due a refresh. The hood and chromes in particular had seen better days. A smart-looking hood can make or break the look of an XK when the roof is up. In the past a lot of cars had the hoods retrimmed and simply had fabric beading fitted instead of chrome, one assumes to keep the cost down. Although this can look fine we feel XKs look incomplete without a proper set of chromes. They do a lovely job of highlighting the hood shape and the curves adding much to the look of the car.
Shaping and fitting these chrome is not a straightforward task. We shape and cut the beading in bare brass to ensure it is a perfect fit for the car. No two XKs are quite the same so these cannot be done as an ‘off the shelf’ item. Once they have been shaped the brass beading is chromed and carefully pinned and screwed in place.
