E Type UK

[Aldeburgh]

I have a rather nice story if you happen to be sitting comfortably....

As you may have gathered I have a '73 2+2 and am based in London. I bought it in Scotland late last year and it came with a clean bill of health from the specialist I sent to evaluate it plus a fat file concerning a restoration about 3 years previous. This was undertaken by a firm called Classic Restorations, a reputable bunch but not sepcifically Jag oriented. The file details about ?50k worth of work, not including the respray, which I gather will have been in the region of ?10k. I paid ?21k for the car which included the reg XKE 200, which the previous owner paid about ?3.5k for.

Pretty nifty deal, I thought; but then I'm not the mechanical type so I have to leave it to others to judge. Knowing this of myself, I cast about for a trustworthy specialist to look after the car and came across E Type UK.

People like me love the cars, have a bit of disposable, and are emotional rather than informed in their decision making. We are classic low-hanging fruit for the unscrupulous for obvious reasons, and as I am no stranger to the seedier side of human nature I tend to approach with care, start with small work, and have low expectations.

Harry and Mark have looked after me really well from the start. Finding E Type UK was a tremendous slice of luck and I now consider them friends as well as professionals. They dont like to use this forum as a showcase for their business, which is typically principled, so I want to ring the bell on their behalf a little.

For the unititiated, Es are all they do and the garage is worth the trip on its own: A spotless Aladdins cave of stunning restored examples for sale and various clients' cars in for work. Needless to say they are encyclopaedias on Es; really extraordinarily knowledgeable, and very happy to share. Not only will they delight the enlightened. but they have a very good, unpatronising bedside manner for dunce's like me.

They are dedicated to client service. In December I bust the manifolds on one side (bad judgment coming out of a car park - I dropped it onto a ramp at just the wrong place...) Harry skinned his knuckles replacing them without removing the engine (no fun on a V12) and had it back to me 3 days later so it was with me for Christmas. Similarly, a few weeks ago I bust a rear shock. Harry had it back to me in two days again because he knew I was coming to the end of a holiday and wanted the car to drive.

Here is some of the major work they have done for me... Harry kept me in touch and got it done in 8 weeks despite various problems. If you know the moving parts involved you will appreciate that timing is completely elastic unless someone is taking the trouble to manage things for you on a daily basis.

Rear main oil seal... complete engine rebuild; sleeves on one side; lightened flywheel. They have an engine guy whom they trust to work on their personal cars (Harry and his brother both have V12 commemoratives - worth c:?125k each, since you ask...). I liked the fact he only did/charged for what was necessary, rather than running up the numbers.

New floor pans - their body shop is excellent too...
e-E-Type UK 5 speed box - brilliant by the way. See the 5 speed thread http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1139
clutch and prop shaft
Kenlowe fans
various suspension bushes, reconditioned seat belts, countless other niggles... etc.

Looking at the numbers charged by some of the specialists out there I would say they deliver pretty good value too and I would heartily recommend anyone within range to check them out.

In conclusion it does seem worth keeping to the speciliast with Es... Classic Restorations have a good rep but are not E type people specifically. They made some pretty elementary but aggravating mistakes in their work which have since had to be put right. Amongst other things They miss-positioned part of the wiring loom (interfered with steering on full lock), got the handbrake attachment the wrong way round (pig of a job to fix but handbrake impossible to tighten as it was), and seem to have succeeded in reassembling the clutch minus the thrust bearing (staggering).

[Echezeaux]

I would be happy to know a workshop like this one :(
Good idea to promote the right people.

Thierry

[alfi]

Well said that man, we all need to know who the good guys are. Alfi.

[Erikantwerp]

Hi all,

fully agree what has been said here and also some nice articles on Harry and Etype Uk in last edition of both etype club magazine and classic cars magazine

keep up the good work harry !!
cheers
Erik

[harryetype]

Thank you all for your kind words and support, it makes it all worthwhile.

Of course it helps to have good customers, especially when it comes to old cars.

Thanks again

Harry

[GSR 54D]

Nice weather on Tuesday and had the day off from house chores and children so ventured down to E-type UK. Great premises, clean tidy and organised, I wish them every success for their future and "Harry" should you need a third ad-hoc grease-monkey for the day you know who to call.

John H

[PAUL MORRIS]

Dear All,
The problem I have is that I keep reading the Forum in the office instead of working, at least my wife is not hear. I have already decided to contact Harry & co in the near future. Apart from my charging problem my car runs well but I intend to my next service at E Type UK & let them check everything & see what can be done to get it cleaner & better. In order not rock the family boat too much I intend a yearly trip & get better each time
as its always been my dream car that I will nver sell hopefully. Just need to see how to get back home from Kent. I have no confidence in France even if Cecile Cars are very good & surely enough buty prefer my gut feeling. :D
Paul

[Heuer]

Paul

Eurostar stops at Ashford which is about 30 minutes away from Harry. I am sure they can arrange to give you a lift and you will be in Paris within a couple of hours.

[harryetype]

Hi Paul

We would be more that happy to help you with your servicing. My chrome platers are in Ashford so we are often down that way.

Please feel free to call us at any time where we would be happy to help.

Regards

Harry

[PAUL MORRIS]

Dear Harry,
Thks for your message,
My idea is to come in the New Year roughly a year since the Last Service
of March. In the meantime I will copy the Restoration file & send it to you as soon as I have a chance. I wont forget the Cheese, Sausison, & wine.
Paul

[harryetype]

I like the sound of that.

New Year will be fine, just give me two months notice.

Cheers

Harry

[PAUL MORRIS]

Dear Harry,

Perfect, I will contact you closer to the date via tel & mail.

Thks for everything
Paul