2006-05-19 15:12:14 | Julian Soddy writes:

First owners name was ironically Dewis - but not Norman- I asked him when I interviewed him for the BBC and he said that he had never actually owned an E Type.
The second owner was Gordon Russell, a Norfolk headmaster and well known historic motorcycle racer. Gordon raced the E in club events in the 70s when he aslo was mechanic to the Rev John Fellingham (the revolving reverend who was well known for his exploits in an XK140. Gordon tells me that when he bought the car it had been badly resprayed white and that he changed the colour to BRG. The car suffered numerous mishaps mostly he says on track days at Snetterton culminating in a big "off" in 1978 which bent the car at both ends.
It was laid up in mid 1978 and I eventually persuaded him to part with it it Feb 1999 after some 21 years in a dusty barn. It was to say the least derilict but research showed that it had only covered just over42K miles from new. The engine frames were badly bent and the body shell had suffered such a hard thump that the roof panel was rippled in opposite corners. All the paint was removed and the rebuild was started with the help of Brian Wilkinson's Zealia Engineering, for whom I had been, amongst other things his test and development driver. The engine, gearbox and axle were in really good condition and the only real alterations we made were to fit a "Rob Beer" big valve head with racing cams etc, and a stainless exhaust. Body wise things were in a very bad way and the car needed complete floors, bulkheads and sills. At this stage it was decided that although as much as possible of the original panelwork and trim would be saved, we would go for a semi lightweight theme. The rear axle unit was enhanced with XJS brakes. S3 E Type drive shafts and wishbones and LEDA coil over damper units. To accomodate this the new rear wings were re worked and widened slightly to allow for the extra 2.5 inches of rear track. New doors were fitted together with a correct aluminium lightweight bonnet and appropriate under panelling. The wheels are correct square slot mag/alloys. Front suspension and steering were uprated with a number of tweeks from CKL developments and Lynx front brakes and discs are fitted. The car is very quick and is certainly the best of the dozen or so E's that I've owned since 1966

2006-05-20 12:00:34 | Julian Soddy writes:

I had meant to add that the car is in very good condition - not concourse.
The engine is perfect and the original cylinder head is still with the car although not fitted to it.

2009-04-20 14:28:44 | 14627 writes:

Concourse is at the railway station. What you mean is Concours (from the French 'concours d'elegance')