Mk111 Interceptor

[Mark1Stu]

Advertised as probably the best Interceptor (you can buy) in the country.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1385680

[Peter Rothery]

I'm sure their "expert engineers" could improve the finish of the wheels and grills to nearer original and get the wipers to park on the correct side before laying claim to be the "best" of anything. Black wiper blades (yuck), a passenger interior door handle at such an angle and a lazy retracting passenger seatbelt also need a bit of snagging.... Anyone know which TV programme is being referred to?

[slotcarone]

Nice looking car but not what I would call the best of anything. Where are the engine and boot pictures? I agree with Peter about the grills.

[johnw]

The other cars in the background look nice. I think I spotted my old FF there

[NickA]

Should have changed the dash vents !

[kenny38]

Doesn't matter about vexatious faults. Being on tellie it will get the money and end up next door to you with smug neighbour. Kenny38

[Chris_R]

There's quite an interesting back story to this restoration! As far as I'm aware Woodham Mortimer had not done an Interceptor before this. They are mainly into Jaguars, Astons, some Ferraris and a few others. The TV production company approached at least two other businesses to have the car restored but in the end agreed a price with Woodham Mortimer who (as i was told) work on a production line principle. One team do the strip down, the next team do the repairs and so on. They tend to replace with new wherever possible rather than restore and reuse.
The car was originally a factory demonstrator and used by Tony Good as well.
I organised the registration NEA 5L being re-assigned by the DVLA to the car as it had lost that.
Having some idea of the restoration budget it would be interesting to know the asking price and it would be also interesting to see the "probably the best Interceptor in the country" in the JOC concours against our other concours entrants! The results might upset the next owner, or on the other hand, if it is the best, might delight the next owner.
This is what the car looked like 11 months ago.

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[Fishyboy]

Hi all,
Mr guess is it might be Salvage Hunters - Classic Cars (Drew Pritchard and Paul Cowland), although they don't normally deal at the top end of the market.
They bought an Interceptor in season one (2018), which was seen in the opening credits, but had still not appeared by the end of season 5 (2021). They briefly mentioned in was "more difficult that expected".
Phil

[johnw]

Looks like they started with a relatively solid straight car. The side of the drivers seat looks really off, compared to the passenger seat it looks like some padding is missing. My thoughts are that this was put together in a rush to get filming done, perhaps COVID delayed things, and that the engine might not have been in yet when the photos were taken, boot will be finished later, etc. Someone then just put the wipers on the pivots completely wrong. Hope they fix that before connecting the power! It is sitting quite high at the front too which could mean not enough ballast. That could explain why the grill wasn't sanded yet. Perhaps the paint wasn't hard. The rear light lenses look amazing, but I can't see a bulb behind the reversing lights.

[Mark1Stu]

Perhaps the car restoration production teams could've gained useful tips from talking to the head of TV continuity....and reading some books containing period pictures of new Interceptors.

Hopefully all minor errors (although good luck body colour matching the C pillar vent surrounds)....but if you make bold statements on how good it is, don't be surprised if some people scrutinise the end result carefully.

Good chance it'll find a buyer who either doesn't know any different, doesn't care, or is happy to splash more cash on it later.

[VFK44]

They obviously intended to make the wheels look original as the paint on the inset is not a usual grey, but a yellowish grey like the factory colour. You wouldn't do that by accident.

[Mark1Stu]

Phil is correct. I recently spotted a trailer for the new Salvage Hunters Classic Cars series and there’s a picture of Drew and Paul standing in front of this restored car.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I shall be keen to hear their views on how to restore an Interceptor and make a profit. It’s all in the detail, as Drew would say.

The car is currently for sale.

[Fishyboy]

Hi all,
As seen in the introduction to Series 6 Episode 2 of Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars, which aired today (Wednesday) at 9pm on Quest, it looks like NUE196L
will finally be revealed in this latest series.
Phil

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[Steve Payne]

I wonder where it has been painted? The reason I ask is the paint shop they usually use is based in Witney and he has not painted it.

Steve

[Peter Rothery]

From Woodham Mortimer website:

Woodham Mortimer’s dedicated paint shop uses only the best materials, true to original paint codes or bespoke, and is equipped to carry out total bodywork restoration to our legendary high quality and finish.

Woodham Mortimer restorations have won awards at some of the largest Concours d’Elegance events in the world, including Pebble Beach and Salon Privé.

If your car isn’t in need of a full restoration, the Woodham Mortimer team can re-paint, re-trim, re-chrome or re-build your vehicle according to your particular needs.