Letting cool heads prevail - workshop update

Work continues at a pace here in our Hampshire workshops and we are not letting the adverse weather slow us down. In fact, we had such a beautiful day last Friday that we even managed to get out and photograph the stunning XK140 pictured here which is currently available for sale. This XK is absolutely superb and is a fully restored, matching numbers UK car so please do get in touch for more details.
In this weeks' update we take a look at several restorations including an XK140, XK150 and an E-Type. We also look forward to the hillclimb at E-Type 60 and delve into fitting air-conditioning to an XK140.

Jaguar XK150 restoration

This Jaguar XK150 drophead coupe is an original, matching numbers UK car. It is currently undergoing one of our full nut and bolt restorations to the customers specification. Once finished the car will benefit from a number of upgrades including fast road engine, electronic power steering, hidden stereo system and inertia seatbelts. That is all a fair way off yet though.
Pictured here the rear hood bow has been shaped and is now being bonded and screwed onto the body. You can also see the hood frame to the left of the car with the hood wood trial fitted ready to be shaped to perfectly fit the car. Next the hood frame will be fitted along with the side window frames and everything will be aligned to ensure a perfect fit before the car goes for paint. There is no substitute for time spent pre-fitting parts at this point of the restoration and it can save much trouble and money having to alter things after the car has been painted.

E-Type 60 hillclimb

E-Type 60 will take place at the historic Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb on the 12th and 13th on June 2021. The event is being put on by the Jaguar E-Type Club and will incorporate the XK Club, following on from the great success they had with XK70. As was the case at XK70 one of the highlights of E-Type 60 will be the competitive hillclimb. This is open to member of the public to enter in the E-Type, XK, C-Type or D-Type.
The event will take place up the historic Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb. This is the oldest continuous motorsport venue still operating. Having been up the hill in an XK120 at XK70 I can assure you this is an opportunity not to be missed! Entry for the hillclimb is now open. Please visit the E-Type 60 website to buy tickets and to sign up for the hillclimb as numbers are strictly limited.

Jaguar XK150 3.8 S restoration

This Jaguar XK150 is an exceptionally rare, matching numbers, right hand drive, UK, 3.8 S model. The S variant of the XK150 was produced towards the end of the production run and featured a new 'straight port' cylinder head and triple 2" carburettors. This version of the car was produced largely to increase power in order to compete with the more powerful V8 powered cars which were dominating the US car market at the time. As such UK models were very rare and is it generally agreed that is one of fewer than 50 of this particular model to be produced.
We have been following the very gradual restoration of this XK150 which is destined to become our show demonstrator so we thought we would share this little bit of progress. When last shown the car was in the workshop with all the parts trial fitted to it and we were working on the all-important door gaps. Everything has now been set up to our satisfaction and all parts have been removed. The car is now in primer and is ready to be painted in its original British Racing Green.

Air conditioning in an XK

There is a first time for everything and this is our first-time fitting air conditioning to an XK140. At this time of year in the UK it may seem preposterous fitting air conditioning to a convertible XK. Indeed, it has at times felt rather ridiculous trying to shoehorn the parts in whilst in our rather chilly workshop with the space heater going full blast. This left-hand drive XK140 is however destined for the home of our client in hotter climes. The addition of air conditioning is all part of this nut and bolt restoration.
This is not a simple conversion and is made all the more challenging by the fact that we wish to hide as much of the system as possible and keep the car looking original. So far, the condenser and fan are fitted and hidden away, the compressor is in place, the evaporator (pictured here) has been trial fitted and the wiring is in position. We are working on a design for hidden air vents and continuing to install the other components. We will revisit this in future weeks as we progress.

Jaguar XK150 servicing

We had a little peek at this lovely rally prepared XK150 fixedhead in last weeks update. We undertook a great deal of work on this car some ten years ago preparing it for some pretty intense rallies. This XK boasts an impressive specification including fast road 3.8 litre engine, five speed gearbox, alternator, cooling fan, disc brakes and much more. The car took part in a number of prestigious events including the Sahara Rally, Tour Britannia and has been on track at Goodwood Motor Circuit.
This week it has had its turn on the ramp for a service after a summer/autumn of seeing much use in the enthusiastic hands of its owner. The car has been thoroughly checked over and any further work that may be required will be discussed with the owner. If you would like to book you classic car in for a service or a check over before the driving season starts (and lockdown hopefully ends) please do get in touch.

Jaguar E-Type restoration

This charming 4.2 litre series 1 E-Type is a running, driving car which could most likely pass an MOT without too much work being undertaken. It is however quite tired in many areas which go beyond the patina to the paint work. The owner has brought the car into us to discuss restoration options and how far it is sensible to go with the car. We have begun to inspect the car by getting it up on a ramp and having a thorough look around. We have also got the engine running for the first time in several years and assessed its condition. We will now report to the owner and agree on the best route forward to get the car to the desired condition and specification. What is for certain is that this is a delightfully original car in sound condition. It will be a pleasure to carry out a sympathetic restoration to this E-Type in the year we celebrate 60 years of E-Types.