I purchased this car from a deceased estate in 2008. I had been looking for a while but could not find what I was looking for in terms of either original or well restored. This car, whilst needing restoring, had previously been to the well respected marque specialist David Davenport for some work so was not all bad and went straight through an MOT despite the steering box showing signs of wear. At this point, as a qualified engineer,retired Jaguar specialist, race car builder and driver, I decided to set about the somewhat mammoth task of a restoration. I applied for a Jaguar heritage certificate and was delighted to find it was an original gunmetal car and told by many that it was the best colour for the beautiful shapes on this car. The car was stripped to bare metal and all panels removed and all corrosion cut out or panels remade by a highly skilled fabricator I happen to know,the panel fit and gaps being better than when the car left the factory on the 12th of September 1947 (5 mths before I was born. Before assembly it was painted by Colin Ginn, owner of Prestige Coachworks, a top quality job that still looks as good today. The wood work refinishing was carried out by City Polishers, once again the best in the business. Chromework was triple plated or replaced. The steering box was overhauled by Holman Engineering being the only known company to do a "proper job" The engine received a top overhaul and runs good oil pressure with no overheating. The gearbox was replaced with the recognized type9 five speed conversion giving excellent cruising capabilities (the original gearbox is included) The car comes with its original handbook,service manual and large history file with bills etc and photos of restoration. The aim was to produce a top class job using the right people and drawing on my own experience and expertise which I feel was endorsed on its maiden voyage in 2010 by winning car of the day out of over 300 jaguars at the London to Brighton Jaguar run (incidently I never knowingly enter judging competitions as it isn't my thing) I believe the car would speak for itself on viewing to any serious buyer, I neither want or need to sell the car but it is time to consider reducing my collection. MAY TAKE PART EXCHANGE IF IT HELPS