Autumn, upgrades and axles – workshop update

Once again, it has been a couple of months since I last managed to publish one of these newsletters, and I think it is safe to say this will become my regular rhythm for the foreseeable future. This is simply a sign of how consistently busy we have been, and now the usual autumn rush is upon us. Cars that have been out and about over the summer are coming in for servicing, tours are drawing to a close, and many of those “winter projects” that people have been waiting to start are beginning to arrive.
It has been a real delight to see so many cars we look after being enjoyed over the summer months. From tours and rallies to shows and even trips to the shops, Twyford Moors cars have been flying the flag for classic Jaguars and showing that these cars are meant to be used and enjoyed.
In this workshop update, we look ahead to the NEC Classic Motor Show, discuss changes to DVLA rules, highlight a couple of rear axle rebuilds, a front suspension rebuild, an XJS in for restoration, a completed XK140 restoration, and much more.

NEC Classic Motor Show 2025

We are getting geared up for this year’s Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham. The show runs from the 7th to the 9th of November and is not to be missed. Having displayed at the show for several years now, we know what a fantastic stage it provides to bring together Jaguar enthusiasts, classic car fans and the wider restoration community.
Over the years, our stand has featured some of our proudest restorations — from XK120s, XK140s and XK150s to E-types — and each year we look forward not only to showcasing the finished cars but also highlighting the innovation, craftsmanship and upgrades that go into them. This year we will once again be bringing a built-up chassis fitted with modern upgrades, giving visitors the chance to see behind the panels at what makes our work unique.
The Classic Motor Show is always a highlight in our calendar: the buzz, the people, and the shared passion for motoring heritage. Each year, the hall falls silent at 11 a.m. on Remembrance Sunday — a deeply moving moment in the midst of a weekend of celebration.
We’ll be on stand 2-475 in Hall 2, just outside Iconic Auctions. If you’re visiting the show, please do come and say hello — we’d love to walk you through what we’ve been working on, share our future plans, or simply talk Jaguars.

Jaguar XK120 upgrades

This Jaguar XK120 OTS has joined us for a wide range of upgrades. We restored an XK120 roadster for this customer to a very high specification some years ago, and it has since been extensively used in the UK. He has now brought us this left-hand-drive XK120, which he would like to bring up to the same specification so he can enjoy it in Europe.
The detail in this project is crucial. The customer doesn’t just want the mechanical upgrades to match — he has also asked us to replicate the cosmetic modifications perfectly, including bonnet louvres and seats, which must be exactly the same as those on the car we restored some twenty years ago. We do love a challenge, though!
Amongst the upgrades, some of the more notable items include a telescopic shock absorber conversion to the rear, front disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, a custom-made aluminium radiator (required to accommodate the steering rack), an electric cooling fan, bucket seats, and much more. Once finished, this is going to be a wonderfully fun car to drive, and I will try to get a photo of it alongside its sister car.

Jaguar XK140 broken half shaft

This photo shows the broken end of a half shaft removed from the XK140 fixed head you can see on the ramp behind. This is a fairly unusual occurrence on road cars, though it is more common on race-prepared or highly tuned XKs. What’s more, it is particularly unusual for a half shaft to fail at the outer end like this; in our experience, they are more likely to break at the differential end.
We recovered this XK140 from Wales, where the half shaft had failed. It had been taken locally to attempt a repair, but without the proper equipment, they were unable to remove the hub — let alone extract the half shaft. We therefore brought the car back to our workshop, where we have both the equipment and the expertise to do the job correctly.
As it turns out, it was for the best that the car came to us rather than simply having the half shaft replaced, as we discovered the differential also required attention due to excessive play. This may well have contributed to the half-shaft failure in the first place. With the work carried out properly and everything reassembled, this XK140 is once again ready to hit the road and be driven with confidence.

DVLA rule changes: a win for classic car common sense

For years, restoring or upgrading a classic car has been a balancing act — do too much and risk losing its identity, or do too little and struggle to keep it usable. Thanks to tireless lobbying by the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA), the DVLA has now introduced rule changes that finally bring clarity and common sense to the process.
The outdated “radically altered” points system has been scrapped and replaced with clearer categories for Repairs & Restorations and Structural Modifications. Sensible upgrades — such as improved brakes, cooling systems or suspension tweaks — no longer require DVLA notification. Even electric conversions can now retain the car’s original registration, provided its identity remains clear.
Owners who previously lost an age-related plate can also reapply under the new policy, with no time limit — a major breakthrough.
This landmark shift shows what our industry can achieve when it speaks with one voice. The DVLA deserves credit for listening to expert feedback and working with enthusiasts rather than against them.
At Twyford Moors, we welcome these reforms. They safeguard our heritage while allowing classic cars to evolve safely and sensibly for today’s roads.

XK engine rebuilds

We offer a full range of services for XK engines, including complete rebuilds. Pictured here is a rebuilt cylinder head ready to be refitted. We can cater for any cylinder head issues, from pressure testing to laser welding repairs for corroded waterways. Wherever possible, we will always save an original cylinder head if it is viable. However, if your head is beyond repair, we also hold a supply of original units ready to rebuild.
At present, our engine room has quite the line-up: an XK150 S engine in build, a 3.8 E-type engine awaiting fitting, an XK150 engine being stripped down, and several cylinder heads either coming off or going back onto cars. Alongside these major jobs, we constantly have carburettors and inlet manifolds in for refurbishment, as well as gearbox and differential rebuilds passing through.
While the majority of this work is carried out for cars already with us in the workshop, we also undertake carburettor rebuilds for those who prefer to remove them themselves and send them in. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if we can be of assistance.

Eclectic classics

Although we are best known for our work on classic Jaguars, all sorts of vehicles find their way through our doors — and we never shy away from a challenge. This quirky little collection caught my eye as I was passing through the workshop the other day, as they had gathered together quite by chance. Each of these vehicles belongs to an owner who also has a classic Jaguar with us, and who wanted the same level of care and attention applied to their other machines. I must admit, I am rather looking forward to a ride in the back of the Tuk Tuk!
In the foreground is the Trojan van we shared in an earlier update. Rebuilding its engine has been quite the learning journey. For those not familiar (and why would you be!), the engine is a two-stroke with four cylinders but only two combustion chambers. The pistons operate in pairs, connected to a V-shaped con rod — all rather unusual. We have now rebuilt the engine, learned its quirks, and the van is heading back to its owners to be enjoyed once again.

Jaguar D-Type replica

We are increasingly looking after replica builds, and amongst their number are quite a few Realms. While these cars may not be for the purists, they are well-designed kits that result in attractive and enjoyable cars to drive. The quality of the finished product can vary significantly depending on who built the kit, but they provide a solid basis — and with some care and attention, can be made to drive very well indeed.
We previously shared a photo of this D-Type up on the ramp with its bonnet removed, so it’s only right to now show it back together. This car had been off the road for a number of years before the current owner bought it. We have since carried out recommissioning work, including fitting electronic ignition and attending to the fuel system to get it running properly. A new clutch was also fitted — hence the bonnet being off in the earlier photo.
Now back together, the car is ready to be used and enjoyed by its new owner. No doubt they will want a few more tweaks as they get to know the car, but we are here to support them throughout their ownership journey.

Classic Forum

Just prior to the Revival, Goodwood House hosted the second meeting of this Forum; a group exploring the extent to which ‘collectable cars’ might be considered to be a new asset class. Central to this is whether data can be used to identify and support such an asset class.
The presentation was, to say the least, illuminating and with the kind permission of those involved we will share some of the highlights in next few issues of our newsletter.  AssetClassic presented at the Classic Forum their research done with McKinsey & Co as knowledge partner and TikTok as social media partner. Their definition of collectable cars is somewhat wide: cars at least 5 years old, out of production and valued above €20,000. The data is quite stunning. Total value of the market is some €80bn with a value chain of €80/90bn and an annual volume of traded cars at €45bn. From storage to maintenance, from insurance to restoration, the industry revolving around such cars is significant, valued at some €40bn. On the face of it the size of these figures appears to support the possibility of viewing the market as an asset class.
We will explore more of this in subsequent newsletters, in particular to consider whether, in light of this, there are real foundations of an asset class and if so, how this might be developed.

Jaguar E-Type axle rebuild

In our last newsletter, we shared a photo of a V12 E-Type with its rear axle removed. This month, we have a very similar shot — but this time it’s a Series 1 E-Type undergoing the same job.
It highlights the value of a workshop like ours having specialist equipment, such as these trolleys designed to support cars while the suspension is removed. We have different versions tailored for E-Types, XKs and bodyshells. The key here is minimising downtime, which allows the workshop to run efficiently. An E-Type occupying a ramp while the rear axle is out would be costly both for us and for customers.
This particular E-Type was in for other work, and just as the customer was leaving, he asked if we could have a listen for a “funny noise” he’d been hearing. We’re glad he mentioned it, because the differential was suffering from a severe bearing failure. Fortunately, it was caught in time before causing any damage to the differential itself. Had it been left and driven further, the resulting damage could have been extremely costly.

Jaguar XK150 suspension rebuild

XKs, E-Types and Jaguar saloons truly set themselves apart from the competition with their exceptional ride and handling. They didn’t use the phrase “grace, space and pace” for nothing.
However, worn, perished or failed suspension bushes can seriously compromise this, leaving a classic Jaguar driving nowhere near as well as it should. Suspension bushes naturally deteriorate with age, but the process can be accelerated by oil contamination. We’ve also observed that bushes suffer badly when exposed to paint — whether from overspray during a respray or from someone painting the underside of the car.
As such, suspension rebuilds have long been a regular part of our work. We recommend fitting polyurethane suspension bushes, as these last much longer than the originals and improve handling without negatively affecting ride quality. Alongside this, adjustable shock absorbers and uprated anti-roll bars can be fitted to further enhance performance.
The real secret ingredient, though — the thing that makes an XK150 like the one pictured here handle better than most — is the expert knowledge and experience our team has built up over many years and brings to every job.

Jaguar XK140 servicing

This Jaguar XK140 has been a regular visitor to us for decades. Over the years, we’ve cared for it through the hands of several custodians, each time assisting in finding a new owner to enjoy it.
The car is an older restoration, carried out before we began looking after it, but it was later extensively upgraded by us for a previous owner. It is a very practical specification, with disc brakes, a five-speed gearbox, electric power steering, electronic ignition, an electric cooling fan and much more.
Most recently, the car returned from what we hear was a rather damp tour of Donegal — and it didn’t miss a beat. That said, after hundreds of miles on the way home, the owner phoned from a petrol station where the car refused to restart. Fortunately, Ian was able to trace the issue over the phone to a sticky starter solenoid — likely due to the damp conditions — and got the owner back underway with some timely advice.
The car is now back with us for its annual service and check-over before the end of the driving season.

Jaguar XJS restoration

This Jaguar XJS convertible has recently been in with us for inspection, with a view to restoration. We are seeing increasing interest in these cars as they continue to age gracefully. Values have already begun to rise as people start to recognise the appeal of these once-undervalued Jaguars.
Personally, the XJS holds a special place in my heart. It was the first car I remember my father owning, back in the late 1980s or early 1990s. I was especially impressed at the time by the fact it had a car phone! Perhaps because of that early memory, I feel a particular fondness for these models. We are getting to know them rather well now, so if you have an XJS and need a specialist to look after it, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
As for this particular car, we understand it has been in the same family for some time but has spent much of its life outside. After a thorough inspection, it is clear that the bodyshell will require extensive work. Mechanically, too, the list is long — from an engine rebuild through to a complete suspension and brake overhaul. Of course, the challenge with an XJS is that restoring one is no less costly than restoring an XK or an E-Type. However, if an XJS is the car you are passionate about, then perhaps that doesn’t matter. After all, very few of us do this for financial return — we do it for the love of old cars.

Jaguar XK140 restoration

This Jaguar XK140 drophead coupé has just completed a full nut-and-bolt restoration with us. Originally delivered to the US, it arrived here as a rather sorry-looking wreck, painted in a particularly “memorable” shade of brown. What it did have in its favour, however, was that it was complete — a vital starting point. We were then commissioned to restore and upgrade it into the wonderful example you see pictured here.
The car has undergone a complete body-off-chassis restoration. Both the body and chassis were stripped to bare metal, repaired and painted before being reunited. Every detail has been carefully treated to ensure the car can be enjoyed for decades to come.
It has also been extensively upgraded, including front disc brakes, electric power steering, alternator, electric cooling fan, upgraded suspension, hidden radio system and much more. The icing on the cake is its upgraded automatic gearbox (this was an original automatic car), which completely transforms the driving experience.
We’ve just published a video of this XK140, so if you’d like to see and hear more, do head over to our YouTube channel.