Classic Jaguar Maroon Five – workshop update
We couldn’t resist this photo of five Maroon cars. In the foreground is a Daimler Sovereign. Behind that are three XK140 drophead coupes, all of which are Twyford Moors restorations. One was restored over twenty years ago, one was finished in 2022 and one is just being prepared for trimming. In the background on the ramp is an XK140 fixedhead coupe.
This photo perfectly illustrates the fact that we have been rather busy lately. Indeed, we have never experienced such high levels of demand for our services. We had thought that things might calm down a bit after the usual spring rush, which was busier than usual. The workshop has remained extremely busy though throughout the summer and we are now booking into Autumn.
We would like to thank our customers old and new for trusting us with their cars and their patience with our longer-than-usual lead times. If you would like to book your car in for work, particularly time-sensitive work such as MOTs, please call well in advance. We are continuing to try to accommodate emergency work so if you do experience an issue please do still contact us and we will do our best to help.
Jaguar XK120 OTS and XK150 FHC
Pictured here are a Jaguar XK120 roadster and an XK150 fixedhead coupe. This pair of cars is my personal dream garage but that is not my reason for sharing the photo. I felt this was worth sharing as it illustrates the diversity there is within the XK range. From the pure, sweeping lines of the XK120 OTS through to the practicality and purposeful stance of the XK150 FHC, there are few sportscars that can boast such a diverse lineup. If you want something that combines the practicality of winding windows with open-top motoring then a drophead couple holds the answer. The value range across XKs is also very broad from XK140 and XK150 fixedheads offering a very good value entry point to the XK world up to rare cars like XK150 S models or aluminium-bodied XK120s being truly exotic, collectors cars.
Add to this the extent to which XKs can be upgraded and modified to suit the drives needs, there really is something for everyone in the XK range. Taking this pair as an example the XK150 is fairly standard with just a couple of choice upgrades to aid reliability. The XK120 on the other hand has been built to a fast road specification and boasts many useful upgrades hidden under its charming 1950’s bodywork.
Mike Hawthorn Memorial Track Day 2024
As many of you will know we were proud to sponsor this year's Mike Hawthorn Memorial Track Day. The inaugural event in 2023 was well received and we were keen to see 2024 build on this success. The event is for all those who drive or are interested in cars of the type Mike Hawthorn would have driven in period. From racing Jaguar MK1 and MK2 saloons to road-going XKs there was a huge variety of cars out on the track. The event was a friendly, informal and relaxed opportunity for like-minded enthusiasts to get their cars out on the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit. For me one of the best things about the day is that it is suitable for novices to get out and experience the thrill of driving their car on a track. We were particularly pleased to see Shan Stokes of the HCVA and her daughter Becky out on track in their Daimler Dart. This was not just Becky’s first time on track but it was her first time driving the Daimler! This is how we encourage future generations of enthusiasts.
In addition to the on-track action, there was an incredible display of former Tommy Sopwith Equip Endeavour Team cars. The event wasn’t just for those out on track but was open to spectators, many of whom attended in their classics. To read more about the day please pop to the news section on our website where there is a full article and photo gallery.
Daimler Sovereign
This Daimler Sovereign saloon is an annual visitor to us here at Twyford Moors. It is essentially a badge-engineered Jaguar S-Type and therefore is powered by the XK straight six which we all know and love. We think this might be the finest example of this particular car in existence; certainly, it is the best we have ever seen. It is a testament to the quality of the restoration that wherever you look the car is been prepared and painted properly, even the places no one will ever see. On this visit we are carrying out a full service along with attending to a minor oil leak and making a few electrical upgrades.
We love these saloons. The S-Type and Sovereign are, in my opinion, better cars to drive than the MKII saloon and generally cost significantly less than an equivalent quality MKII. I will concede that they are not as attractive as the MKII but they are a handsome car in their way and I believe that the mechanical improvements the S-Type and Sovereign offer are well worth the compromise. The independent rear suspension system which came from the E-Type and went on to be fitted to the XJ6 really improves both the handling and the ride of these saloons.
Jaguar E-Type servicing
This Series 1 E-Type is in with our for a service and a few other jobs including having the ignition system upgraded. The owner also reported a strong fuel smell in the cabin. E-Type fuel tanks are located in the spare wheel well which is within the cabin for the Coupe so even the slightest leak can create quite a strong smell. It is wise to pay attention to these kinds of smells and investigate them fully to ensure cars are safe. It is of course quite common to get the odd smell of fumes in a classic car which we are not accustomed to in our modern vehicles so it can take a little while to adjust to what one should expect from a classic.
In this case the fuel smell was traced to a leak from the original fuel tank. It is not uncommon to find that these cars still have their original fuel tanks and they are now a bit worse for wear. If over fifty years of use were not enough for these tanks to put up with, the introduction of more ethanol to modern fuels seems to have accelerated the deterioration of many an old fuel tank.
Jaguar XK120 head gasket
This slightly abstract photo is a close-up of the top of an XK120 block after having the cylinder head removed. The XK120 in question came in to us running on four cylinders but had made it here under its own steam. What we initially thought might be as simple as a couple of sooted-up spark plugs we quickly realized was a more significant issue. A compression test showed that there was no compression on cylinders three and four. Our mechanic quickly ascertained that the head gasket had failed between the two cylinders. It is uncommon to see this happen, particularly between cylinders three and four as they have the biggest gap between them.
Removing the cylinder head revealed that there was no gasket left between the two cylinders but that no other damage had been done. The head will be thoroughly checked and machined before being refitted with a new gasket. We currently have a rather long lead time for engineering work so may not be able to get this customer's car back on the road as quickly as we would like but we are working hard to turn work around as quickly as possible whilst maintaining our usual high standards.
Jaguar MKII LED lights
We are getting more and more requests for LED lights. From dashboard illumination to headlights there is a huge variety of options available to upgrade classic car lights. We have tested many different LED systems over the years and had mixed success. It seems that in recent years a few manufacturers have significantly upped their game. If you know where to look there are some good quality and reliable LED bulbs available providing better illumination and at least matching the reliability of a standard bulb. It is worth noting that, in the UK at least, the legality of using LED blubs in external light units is a bit of a grey area. The good news though is that there is certainly nothing preventing their use internally for instruments and warning lights.
Pictured here is a MKII saloon which has been extensively upgraded with LED lights inside and out. The headlight units are excellent and avoid any questions over legality as they are purpose-made LED headlight units which I believe were developed for Land Rover Defenders. The compromise is that they do stand out as non-original and although the “Angel Eyes” are quite fun they are guaranteed to prove divisive.
Classic Jaguar Time Clocks
A small detail on the Jaguar XK120, XK140, XK150 and other Jaguars of the period which was groundbreaking but is somewhat overlooked is the timeclocks. Although electric clocks were available way back into the 1930s they were still very rare in cars. Classic Jaguars had Smiths CE electric clocks fitted which were unusual to see at the time. These clocks are essentially mechanical clocks using a balance wheel. Instead of winding a spring to provide power these clocks use an electromagnet to keep the balance wheel going. Although this is an ingenious design it does have a few inherent flaws. Chief amongst them is that they require a little kick to get them moving after they have stopped (e.g. if the battery has been disconnected). This is done by pushing the adjuster in. If this isn’t done the points remain closed and damage the clock. Other issues include these points becoming dirty or getting a carbon build-up over the years. The result is the clocks stop and only show the correct time twice a day!
We are now able to offer an upgrade using a tiny printed circuit board which fits within the clock replacing the troublesome points and allowing the clock to self-start. The rest of the mechanism remains the same and provides the original satisfying tick.
Jaguar XK150 windscreen fitting
This Jaguar XK150 has been with us for an insurance repair following the paint and interior being damaged during a storm earlier in the year. The car was stripped down and has had the paint attended to and we are now refitting the exterior parts before the interior trim is fitted. Before the windscreen could be fitted the trim around the windscreen surround has to be fitted.
Pictured here the screen is being lifted into place by our expert fitter Marc assisted by our member of Starter Motor who has been with us for work experience. It is great to have the opportunity to share what we do with future generations of restorers. The young man pictured here has had the opportunity to work alongside various members of the team and get a feel for all elements of what we do here.
Fitting XK windscreens is something of a specialist job. The modern rubber tends to throw up challenges and getting all the chromes to fit properly is a real art. XK120s and XK140s are even more tricky as you have to fit two pieces of glass into the single rubber. As such we do quite a number of windscreen fittings for customers who bring their cars here specifically for us to do.
Jaguar XK120 OTS
This snap is of an XK120 OTS waiting collection outside our workshop. The car had been in with us to have electronic ignition fitted following a coil-related breakdown. We really believe that one of the best upgrades you can make to an XK for reliability is to fit a good-quality electronic ignition system. This is of particular benefit to those who are not particularly keen on carrying out mechanical work themselves as it does away with the need to check and adjust points or worry about condensers.
It is rare to see an XK120 still on its original steel wheels and spats. The vast majority these days have been converted to chrome wire wheels. Although chrome wire wheels do look great on an XK there is something rather elegant and pleasing about an XK120 on it is original wheels. Indeed this is how Sir William Lyons designed the car and intended for it to be seen. Wire wheels were fitted in period as a motorsport upgrade.
There is though one thing wrong with the hubcaps on this particular car, which if it was done correctly I think would make the car look even better. If you know what’s missing do let us know.
