The car was first purchased by a single lady from Jaguar dealers Henlys of London. She eventually moved to Cornwall and the car subsequently sat in a garage unused for 25 years.
I have been looking for an E-Type restoration project for a number of years, however I only wanted a Roadster as I feel the joy of driving an E-Type is with the roof down. Also it had to be an original UK RHD car with matching numbers. It was by chance through a conversation with a person who knew of the E-Type and it might be for sale.
When I purchased the car I intended to do a full “nut and bolt” restoration whilst retaining the originality of the car. The engine was a non-runner therefore I collected the car on a trailer. It took me approximately 6 weeks to fully dismantle the entire car, photograph, label and box all components. The body shell was put into a rotisserie and sent for media blasting; this exposed some rust but only the rear wheel arches needed replacing. The car was repainted in the exact original shade of Old English White and lacquered.
All of the chrome trim was re-plated by a specialist company, and all other brackets and fixings were acid dipped and re-plated. Owing to the age of the car all nuts and bolts were either UNF or UNC; every nut and bolt was replaced with new.
The engine was overhauled and where necessary, components replaced with new. The aluminium components were vapour blasted to restore the surface finish, the four carburettors were stripped and rebuilt with Stromberg overhaul kits. The starter motor, alternator and water pump renewed, steering pump and steering rack overhauled.
The entire braking system was overhauled/renewed, including discs, caliper seals, all pipes, reservoirs, servo and master cylinder. The rear IRS unit was stripped, overhauled and repainted. Front and rear hub wheel bearings and seals replaced with new. The wiring looms were replaced with new looms purchased from Autosparks and interior trim and seats replaced by BAS International.
During 2018 we attended a few classic car shows around the Plymouth area and have been delighted to win a number of prizes including best Jaguar 1962–1974 sports car at the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club show, also Best Jaguar and Best in Show perpetual shield at the Mount Edgcumbe classic car show.