CLIENT RESTORATION
The team has made some great progress with this ongoing client restoration since the Spring, and are inching closer and closer to completion! We have made quite a bit of progress in assembling the car, and are working hard on getting the top and various interior components perfectly fit. Since our last update in the Spring newsletter, our team has been busy at work on the XK150 S and are just about ready to install a set of wheels and tires and lowering it to the ground for further assembly; we’ll then focus on properly fitting the doors and start the process of installing the glass and the various mechanisms found inside of the doors. This is done in part to ensure a proper fit for the DHC’s top installation.
Our trimmers are currently in the middle of restoring the bows (which is quite a task in and of itself.) Our parts department special-ordered the wood, bows, and associated parts from England to ensure factory-correctness; this can prove to be a very complicated task, often taking days by the most experienced trimmers. Unlike restoring a Roadster version of an XK-150, the Drop Head Coupe consists of 3 layers: the headliner, insulator, and the top. When restoring these components, a 2-stage process is used, where we begin by installing the headliner first, followed by the insulator, the top itself, and finally pin beading to the car.
This is performed to ensure the best possible fit to the XK-150 S. Once the proper fit is achieved, the team will then remove the pin beading and send off to a chrome plate for finishing. When the beading plating is finished, the team will then reinstall all the top components permanently to the Jaguar. This entire process is laborious, but nonetheless very important part of proper concours-level assembly to the top. In addition, there is special hardware that is used in the assembly, where we use special chrome finishers for aesthetic enhancements, amongst other items.
The team has made some great progress on the installation and configuration of the car's major mechanical systems, including installation of the engine, transmission, fuel system and more. The focus now has been on assembly of 150 S's interior components, and eventual wheel and tire installation. The restoration of this DHC is coming along very nicely, and starting to take the shape of a true Jaguar classic that is full of the elegant styling while also flexing some serious mechanical muscle, so please stay tuned to our Fall 2022 newsletter for more updates on this classic XK-150 S restoration!