Bring on 2026 – Workshop update

We’re back! Is it too late to say Happy New Year? After a lovely break and a good opportunity to carry out some site maintenance over the Christmas break, we have had a busy first few weeks of 2026. Over the past couple of years I have heard a lot of pessimism towards the future of this era of cars and the market. Certainly values have come down and sales were slow, but I believe there is reason for optimism as we head into a new year.
First of all, it seems that after years of turbulence, people have become tired of waiting. I think it is true that people have been reluctant to spend for myriad reasons f, as evidenced by say the housing market, but it feels like people are ready to enjoy life again. The last quarter of 2025 saw the most interest in sales cars we have had in years, with many test drives and sales. The first few weeks of 2026 suggests this is continuing.
The other reason for optimism is that with values of these cars coming down, they are now affordable to a whole group of people who were previously priced out of the market. Little comfort to those who may brought at the top of the market, but few XK enthusiasts truly see their cars as investments, rather as an enjoyable asset which shouldn’t cost too much in the long run. Bring on 2026!

Jaguar XK120 Upgrades

This Jaguar XK120 roadster was purchased by one of our long-time customer last year. He has an XK140 which we fully restored and used to own a rather nice XK150 S, again fully restored here at Twyford Moors, so he knows how well XKs can drive. Having used this XK120 extensively last summer, he felt it needed some improvements to get the most pleasure from driving it and so brought it to us. We have been spending the winter upgrading and improving the car to his dream specification, ready to be enjoyed in 2026.
The car already features many of the upgrades one might wish for on an XK120, including a five-speed gearbox, alternator and electric power steering. What it lacked was comfort and composure when driving, and we have been tasked with remedying this. The biggest issue was leg room, so we have fitted an extended pedal box, creating more leg room along with dual-circuit brakes and a hydraulic clutch (we have just posted a YouTube video on the subject). He also wanted to sharpen up the steering and make it drive more like his XK140, so we have converted it to rack and pinion steering. This should be a fantastic XK120 to drive once it is finished.

The Classics Forum – Asset Classic

Previously, we established that the global classic car market is significant, with the market’s contribution to the UK economy exceeding that of either the fishing or the music industry. The other relevant aspect that AssetClassic, working with McKinsey, identified was a two-prong development. First, collectable cars have transitioned from being a niche passion back in the 60’s/70’s to being ‘style icons’ in the 2020s. Secondly, some pre-owned products, such as watches and handbags, have become increasingly collectable. What are now sought after are brands with a backstory, where the purchaser can own something that defines them, that is different and does not conform to norms. We have also witnessed in this period the growth of those defined as high earners or high net worth individuals. With that has come a demand for a wider range of collectable products. This has fuelled a growth in the classic car market, both in terms of size and of value. The Times recently ran an article (January 10 2026) quoting Knight Frank’s wealth report with the surprising assertion that collectable cars had returned 29.5 % in the five years to the end of 2024. Much must depend on the definition of collectable cars. The claim is though supported by Harry Edworthy, the founder of Autofio which provides investment advice who said “Over the past three to five years the market has consistently outperformed a number of other alternative asset classes” The question that AssetClassic, with its research with McKinsey and TikTok, has then tried to answer is whether that market is now one that could be an asset class in its own right; a market that might sit alongside those other alternative investments.

Daimler DB18

This rather splendid vehicle is a Daimler 18, also known as a Consort. Built from 1939 until 1953, production halted during the Second World War as Daimler concentrated on manufacturing military vehicles. These large luxury saloons are a delightful thing to waft around in. One can imagine that at the 1948 London Motor Show this must have looked rather old hat when you looked across at the Jaguar stand and saw the newly launched XK120. I love cars like this, but it really is easy to understand how exciting the XK120 must have been at a time when most manufacturers were still producing pre-war cars.
This particular example looks, at a glance, like it might be a restoration project. In reality it is actually in very good condition underneath and mechanically. Being a body-on-chassis construction, corrosion in the bodyshell is less of an issue. All the brake components have been renewed and the engine runs nicely. The car is with us to have some work done on the steering and suspension to bring that up to top condition. Having a car like this with so much originality and patina is becoming vanishingly rare and, although it isn’t to everyone’s taste, it is rather lovely.

Classic car storage

The Jaguar XK140 drophead coupé pictured here is back with us for winter storage. We restored this car some ten years ago and it has returned to us every year since for servicing. Despite regular use during the drier months, it remains in top condition and has been looked after immaculately. (Please do excuse what looks like a ripple in the door; it is actually a banner lying on the floor next to the car, which should have been moved for the photograph.)
Each year in late October or November the owner brings the car in to us for storage, as his garage is not ideal for the winter months. We keep the car here until the spring, giving us the opportunity to attend to any issues which he may have with the car and service it ready for use in the spring. The car had its cover off today as it had been moved and had the battery charged, which we do at least every other week. It is now ready to be covered back up.
If you are in need of temporary or long-term storage, please do get in touch to discuss your needs. We have limited space in our dry and secure facility, but are always happy to try to help.

Engine rebuilds

We have seen a real uptick in demand for our engine services towards the end of 2025. Some of this is people wanting to have this work done over the winter period. Unfortunately we have quite long lead times on engineering work, as do all good engineering shops, so engine or cylinder head rebuilds do take quite some time. The results, though, are well worth it.
Pictured here is a full XK150 S engine and a cylinder head for an E-Type, both ready for machining. The XK150 S engine will be receiving a number of improvements, including our uprated rear main oil seal. This does away with the original and famously leaky seal and replaces it with a modern single-piece seal. Everything will be lightened and balanced to ensure smooth running and free-revving.
Both cylinder heads will be treated to fast road camshafts, larger valves and associated work to unlock their potential to provide more power. They will also both benefit from bucket hold-downs and oversized bucket guides.
Once rebuilt, all our engines are tested on our test rig before being fitted to the car, giving confidence that once in the car there will be no issues.

Jaguar E-Type Servicing

This delightful Jaguar E-Type is a 3.8 Series 1 flat floor car. This particular car is in wonderful condition and has been well cared for with annual maintenance since its restoration. It is a joy to service well-maintained cars like these.
Generally speaking the cars which require the least work when they come in for a service are those which are well maintained annually and are used fairly regularly. The former may be fairly obvious, but the latter is perhaps counter-intuitive. The reality is that cars which are used fairly regularly have all their little niggles and running issues ironed out. I would acknowledge that many cars, when they first hit the road, or if they go from sparing use to more regular use, will generally have a period of time where you find a few or even many issues which need ironing out. Once this is done, though, you are left with a well-sorted car which should serve well.
Cars which are at least started and used over the winter months tend to require less work in the spring and, hopefully, will be ready to jump in and use when you’re ready to go. Cars which get left for months in a garage without so much as a charger invariably disappoint when you go to get them out at short notice.

Young Enthusiasts

I shared this photo on social media before Christmas, but I think it is so important that I wanted to share it again. Pictured here is a delightful chap in his late 20s collecting his grandfather’s Jaguar XK150 after a service. I have heard it said that younger generations simply aren’t interested in these cars, but our experience suggests that this isn’t the case.
What is true is that younger generations have not been exposed to these cars in the way previous generations were. Younger generations will never have the same relationship with these cars as those who remember them when they were new, but I do not fall into that category, having been born in the 1980s, and I have a real passion for these cars, as do many who were not around in the 1950s and 1960s. The difference, I believe, is that I was exposed to these cars, as this young chap has been.
Indeed, many of the current crop of enthusiasts would not remember these cars when they were new, but are old enough to have seen them out on the road when they were just cheap old cars. Having spoken to many enthusiasts, their passion was kindled when XKs or E-Types were cheap cars that a 20-year-old could pick up and run around in.
Clearly that is no longer the case, so we must share our passion if we hope for there to be a future for these cars. They need to be seen out being used, not just at shows but at your local pub, in your local village, at the supermarket, petrol station, or anywhere else you can think to drive the car. They need to be shared with the younger generation. If you have a son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandson or granddaughter, please try to take them out in your car. Let them drive it if you can. Don’t wait to be asked; kindle that interest from as young an age as you can.

Stainless steel exhaust manifold

Pictured here is the engine on our demonstrator chassis, which for some time has just been a dummy engine for illustrative purposes. It now has a fully functional fast road specification 3.8-litre engine fitted, ready for if and when the car is completed, and we thought it might be fun if we were able to run the engine in the chassis with a view that we might even make this chassis drivable (please let us know if you would like to see that happen).
The engine is equipped with a lovely stainless steel sports exhaust system from Classic Fabs. We often get asked if the manifolds remain polished silver, and the answer is no: they change colour as they are exposed to heat. This photo perfectly illustrates what happens as you run these exhaust manifolds in. They turn this lovely gold colour and gradually add a hint of blue. They look absolutely fantastic, while also unlocking the full potential of our engine by letting it breathe properly.
If you are tired of your cracked enamel or rusty old cast iron exhaust manifolds, please get in touch to discuss having a stainless system fitted. You won’t be disappointed.

Jaguar XK150 chassis repair

This Jaguar XK150 has been with us for a whole programme of improvements over the winter. The car was generally in sound condition, but many of the ball joints, UJs and rubber components had reached the end of their life. This is quite common to see on older restorations like this car. It has clearly been well cared for and well used, so one would expect to have to renew these kinds of perishable items.
We also found a few areas of the chassis which had seen better days. This is not uncommon on XKs, despite them having a rather robust and heavy-duty chassis. Fortunately, the robust nature of these chassis makes them very repairable, particularly with the right knowledge and equipment. A common place for them to suffer is where the front lower wishbones mount, as moisture can become trapped here. With a few properly executed repairs, this chassis is now back in top condition and one would be hard pressed to identify the repaired areas. We have a few more mechanical jobs left to complete before this car will be ready for use in the spring.

Jaguar XK150 hood chromes

I believe that the difference between an OK restoration and a top-quality restoration is the details. You can take a car to any competent body and paint shop and come away with a shell that looks pretty good, but to then assemble a finished car which looks spot on requires specific model knowledge which can take decades to learn. We pride ourselves on our Jaguar XK and E-Type knowledge and always seek to learn more where we can. We also pride ourselves on our attention to detail.
This is a Jaguar XK150 3.8 S full restoration which we are currently working through the fine details of ahead of completion. In this image it is having its hood chromes fitted and shaped. We do these individually for each car, as no two are the same. We carefully shape the beading to follow the contours of the hood before removing them and sending them for chroming. This way we guarantee the best possible fit and finish. This is just one small area where years of knowledge and experience come to the fore, allowing us to restore these cars to the standard our customers expect.

Jaguar XK150 upgrades

I think I might be in a minority when I confess that the Jaguar XK150 fixed-head coupé is my favourite of the range. The combination of XK styling and performance with the practicality of a fixed-head really appeals. The XK120 FHC is certainly a more attractive car, but for all its style it feels a little cramped on the inside. The XK140 FHC is unarguably spacious and practical, but the proportions were just not quite right. The XK150 FHC, on the other hand, is spot on. The narrower doors and wider cabin mean that the proportions are correct. There is something of a reflection of the Mk 1 and Mk 2 saloons in the XK150 FHC which I find very pleasing. Add to this abundance of performance and practicality the fact that they are excellent value for money, and they are a hard car to beat.
This particular example was brought by its owner last year and enjoyed over the summer. It has gone from very sparing use in the hands of the previous owner to quite regular use with its new owner. As such, a few niggles had appeared and, having lived with the car for some months, the owner had some areas he wished to upgrade. We have fitted our windscreen wiper upgrade, an alternator, electric power steering, an electric cooling fan and electronic ignition to this car, all with a view to improving reliability and practicality.