Good morning Lawrence,

I came across your listing on the internet whilst looking for parts for my Cabriolet.  This car I have owned since new in January 1986, and having used it daily until the end of the 90’s, decided to keep it alongside my vintage cars.  Over the last 40 years I have owned many Jaguars (4 others XJS Coupe models) and most recently a succession of XJR’s.  I dislike the new body shapes produced today and so I now drive an Aston DB 9, which I love.

The Cabriolet was totally re-sprayed because of body rust in 1997.  Sadly again in 2007, body rust was a reason for an MOT failure, and I found from James May of Top Gear fame the name of  KWE of Greenham Common as specialist restorers of both XJS and XJ models.  My car was totally stripped and de-rusted again, with the addition of new suspension, brakes and steering.  Once completed, it was like having a brand new car back again with even better road holding than when she was new.

Unbelievably she was declared an MOT failure last year, only another 10 years later, again because of rust in an off-side sill, which upon careful examination was much more widespread than at first appeared.  This has resulted in another major body re-spray after a large number of panels having new metal welded into place.  She have been SORN since last summer and will be completed and back on the road again next week.  My wife and I enjoy the car’s ability to be a superb Gran Touring car and plan to take her again this summer to Switzerland and the Italian Lakes.  It will be great to have her back looking pristine, once again.  Endemic rust seems to have been a serious problem for our Cabriolet, but having owned her from new we do plan to keep her for many years yet.

I am sure we shall meet up with other fellow enthusiasts, but having retired 3 years ago it never amazes me how busy life can be these days and trying to fit in all the events open to us is a problem.

Jeremy Salaman