Back to it – Workshop update

We’re back at it! Happy new year everyone and welcome back to our regular updates from the workshop. We have all had a much-needed rest, the workshop has had a much needed clean and tidy and we are now ready to build and repair more beautiful cars in 2022. This promises to be a big year for us here at Twyford Moors and we are excited to be able to share some of what we will have happening in future posts. It is not yet time for that though so you will just have to watch this space!
It has been a busy couple of weeks since we reopened. We have welcomed a new member of staff to the team to help us on the fabrication side of the business. We have also been cracking on with some servicing and making big progress on restoration projects. Pictured here is a great line up of three XK chassis, an XK150 in the middle flanked by two XK140s.
In this weeks’ update we will have a look at the challenges of international transport, an E-Type restoration, the start of an XK restoration and some servicing work.

Jaguar E-Type restoration

Here we have a 4.2 Series 1 E-Type Coupe. We love the shape of the coupe and think it has to be one of the prettiest cars ever built. In fact, Jaguar really were rather good at styling coupes as the XK120 FHC and the XJC also prove.
This E-Type started its restoration journey some 30 years ago but has made rather slow progress. It was in fact painted by our former metal worker many years ago and although it is now looking a little tired, we are confident that with a flat and polish it should look smart again. The owner has now entrusted the car to us to get it finished. We have been working in recent weeks to get the car back to a point where it can move on its wheels. It now has the brakes built up and bled out, the clutch system is pressurised and working and we are working our way through the electrical systems. Soon the carburettors will be fitted and we will be ready to fire her up. 

French collection

It was not that long ago that moving cars in and out of continental Europe was very straight forward. We have many European customers and bringing their cars over for restoration, a service or some upgrade work was no more difficult than bringing a car down from Manchester in a covered transporter. Times however have changed and Brexit has thrown up many new barriers.
Fear not though! With our transport partners we have a handle on the situation and can help you ever step of the way bringing cars in and out of the UK be it from the EU, the US or anywhere else in the world. We will work to ensure you and your cherished car have all the correct paperwork, that the correct duties and taxes are paid and that no unnecessary costs are incurred.
Pictured here is a transporter which had just come over from collecting two cars from a customer in France. In the foreground is a rather splendid vintage Bentley and behind it is an XK150 coming over to us for some upgrade and improvement work.

Jaguar XK140 headlight bulbs

We have cared for this beautiful XK140 for many years. In fact, we restored it many years ago and it is a pleasure to see it still looking so smart.
Last year the owner took it to his local garage with a blown headlight bulb and they replaced them both as a pair. After collecting the car from them he found that he kept getting flashed by oncoming traffic and that the headlights did not seem to illuminate the correct part of the road. Given the car was due a service he brought it in to us to have the headlights looked at along with a tune and oil change etc.
The headlights were checked expecting them just to need adjusting. However, the beam pattern was all over the place. On removing the headlight unit, it was discovered that the wrong blubs had been fitted and loosely secured into the light units. To make matters worse the bulbs were fitted upside down. One can only assume that the garage didn’t have access to the correct bulbs so fitted what they had. It was easy enough to replace the blubs with our stock item of upgraded halogen bulbs with the correct fitting.

Jaguar XK150 restoration

This Jaguar XK150 3.4 S OTS has visited us a couple of times in the last few years. On its first visit the owner asked us to evaluate the car, make recommendations for improvements, carry out a full service and get the car driving better. We carried out the work as instructed and provided the owner with a full appraisal of the car. Since then, we have had an ongoing dialogue with the owner to establish exactly what he wants from the car and the areas which need improvements to get the car to the specification and quality he wants. Over the last couple of years, we have gradually worked thought the mechanical improvements whilst keeping the car on the road so it can be driven.
Having enjoyed it extensively over 2021 the owner has now delivered the car back to us to have a partial restoration carried out over the winter months. This should bring the car up to the standard he desires. Pictured here the car is being stripped down ready to have the body panels realigned to get a better door and wing fit etc. The car will then be resprayed and retrimmed along with a number of other cosmetic improvements.

Jaguar XK150 dashboard chromes

This walnut dashboard belongs to another XK150 drophead which is currently in with us for a partial restoration. We have known the car for many years and it is generally in good order mechanically but the owner wishes to lift it to the next level. Amongst other work we are removing mirrors on the wings, repairing the holes and carrying out some other bodywork ahead of a respray and carrying out a full retrim. The cars custodian was keen to retain this walnut dashboard (not original to an XK150 but a rather charming upgrade) but it had never had to correct chromes fitted. This left it as a rather large and flat looking area of wood with little to break it up. We have been on the lookout for a set of these rather rare chromes for him and managed to put some aside knowing that we would be carrying out this work this year.
The chromes have been stripped and, as can be seen here, they have been trial fitted to the dashboard. This allows us to make up the studs, drill the holes in the dashboard and make any adjustments required without damaging nice new chrome. Now they will be sent off for chroming before being finally reunited with the dashboard and refitted to the car.

Jaguar XK150 E10 fuel system upgrade

We collected this XK150 from its home as a non-starter with our covered trailer. It has been off the road for some time and the owner wanted it checked over, serviced and recommissioned for the road. With the car in and on a ramp, a thorough inspection was carried out identifying a number of items in need of attention ranging from suspension to oil leaks. With a full report provided to the customer and a programme of work approved our mechanic has now set to work getting the car back up to scratch.
Whilst the car is with us the opportunity is being taken to upgrade as many of the fuel systems components as possible to be compatible with E10 fuel. E10 fuel contains 10% ethanol which can cause a number of issues in older fuel systems from eating though rubber components such as hoses to corroding metals. We can provide a range of options and upgrades to mitigate these problems from hoses and seals to fuel additives. It is worth noting that E10 is particularly an issue when left in storage so if you just need to fill up with a bit but will use it and then fill up with E5 this should be fine. E5 fuel remains available at many fuel stations in the form of their premium fuels. To discuss how we can help you with E10 please get in touch.