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Restoration Case Studies
Restoration Case Studies
Some example projects of both Jaguar and other marques are shown below:
Lotus Elan S4 fhc
The Lotus marque is probably the most underrated of all our motor manufacturers, and there is no doubt that the Elan is one of the most advanced models ever produced. My first Lotus experience was during the 1970s. I had long been working with cars at a Ford dealership when I had the pleasure of driving a new 2 + 2 130, one of the fastest cars I've ever driven. That model in particular had been extensively tuned by a London specialist, with M14 cams, big-valve ported head and high-flow exhaust manifold. It looked stunning with its metallic brown bodywork and white roof. I could never have afforded one as they were also one of the most expensive production cars of the day, and apparently unreliable.
Following the successful restoration of the fixed-head coupe, Roach Classics later took-on the restoration of a Lotus Sprint which had been in storage since 1979. The client required improved power output, without destroying the intergrity of such a classic car. It was easy to update and install a Duratec engine, but it wouldn't have been "Lotus".
We needed to take this concept and improve on it. Since the ignition systems of the 1960s and '70s era had been limited, we incorporated a little modern technology to the old engine. Computerised ignition systems provide so much more control of "advance", and vast amounts of torque can be developed in comparison to standard ignition. The Jaguar engine has really benefitted from our modern Engine Management Systems in terms of performance, reliability, and fuel economy.
The fitting of such as system also helps to reduce the environmental impact of owning a classic car such as this.
Jaguar Mk5
The MK5 was recovered with a horrendous knocking sound coming from somewhere within the engine block. On further inspection we found the problem to be caused by the cam follower retaining block. The block had been secured by UNF bolts as opposed to the original BSF fixings. The threaded hole used to retain the follower block fixing bolts penetrated the bottom of the bore on these early pushrod engines. On stripping the exhaust manifolds and cam cover, we found all the fixings stripped and the follower block laying on the base of the cam housing, with spurious bolts on top. It was a wonder that the vehicle ran at all. The oil system was full of water, and a crack had propogated down the side of the cam housing, exuding a jet of water!
XK150 Evo
The car was aquired by Roach Classics back in 2000. The car was a basic 1957 model, but had been stored in a wooden garage since 1970. The seller had rented the house to long-term tenants and had forgotten about the car which sat underneath a delapidated, collapsed garage, in the overgrown garden neglected by the tenants. When the house was sold the car was rediscovered, with the wheels sunk into the ground and terminal rot had set-in. The car was so fragile it had to be handled very carefully to avoid it literally breaking in half. Now fully restored by us, the good-as-new car has another happy owner.
The completed "Evo" project featured many upgrades including the 4.2 injected powerplant, air conditioning, and electric windows all fitted in keeping with the cars classic appearance. A full feature appeared in 'Jaguar World' magazine.
