With thanks to Appleyards & Culverland Classic Cars

[NickA]

After 4 years, one court case, a budget that was blown to smithereens and much greying of hair i am on the final stretch.
I bought the car in 2011 following a post on the forum by Dave Newby. I am the second owner, the first, a lady from the black country bought the car new in 1974, she told me she only used it at weekends or with the children, preferring a van in the week as more practical with the butchers business they ran.
After a botched body restoration by a supposed Jensen apprenticed person and the subsequent court case i got the car back in the summer of 2014 and decided to get it back on the road before the bodywork was re restored. The engine was rebuild, suspension overhauled, new brakes and a host of other minor jobs. During this period there were many trips to Appleyards and advice sought from Andy and Kevin.
The car was entrusted to Appleyards and they took it in early 2014. When it arrived Andy and Kevin looked it over and Andy gave me a reality check. Without Andy’s council i would probably have given up but instead decided to finish what i had started and get the car i had always dreamt of. Kevin toiled away for many weeks sorting out the mechanicals and Andy introduced me to Graham and John at Culverland Classic Cars. They are currently undertaking a full body restoration and respray. They have told me it is probably one of the best bodies they have seen with no accident damage and very little rot except for the wheel arches, front an rear valances and sills. I cannot praise these guys enough the work is exceptional and i love the attention to detail. As we speak they have 2 interceptors a 541 and a Healey in the workshop.
The car should be back at Appleyards in November where a new interior, 17 inch wheels and a host of other shiny new parts await.
Without the help of Andy and Kevin at Appleyards, John and Graham at Culverland Classic Cars i would have given up but instead will have a fully sorted Interceptor and will dispel the myth the rest of the family have that the car is just a figment of my imagination.

[NickA]

Photos of the botched work

[NickA]

Photos at Appleyards

[Pymmie]

Were the side vents left on when resprayed !

I do love the colour Nick...

[NickA]

The work at Culverland Classic Cars

[NickA]

More photos from Culverland

[NickA]

Pymmie,

Yes they left the vents on. From a distance it didn't look bad and in Kevin's words it was a 50ft car. Closer up you could see numerous problems. Ended up having to go to court and eventually got all my money back.

The car was ex factory in copper and was resprayed red by the original owner. Decided to go back to original but and going for a new colour this time round.

Shame it won't be ready for the Cornwall trip but maybe next year.

[PaulMcElhinney]

Nick, I remember seeing BAB at Graham Toft's place when I went to collect the doorskin that I bought from you. He regaled me with stories of his Jensen Parts and Service days. I know that he tried leading those front wheelarches, he gave the impression that he knew what he was doing. We're all vulnerable to this, tradesmen who say that they can do things that frankly are beyond their skill level. Maybe they have the best of intentions initially. Thank God you got all your money back. At least it will be done properly this time. Did you have the new inner sills fitted?

[NickA]

Paul,

New inner and outer sills fitted and the rest of the bodywork well on it's way. Hindsight is wonderful and I wish I had never started wirh Graham Toft but that as they say is another story. I think he had the best intentions but was just out of his depth. Since the court case he has stopped trading and thankfully I got all my money back but wasted 2 years.

Nick

[NickA]

A few more photos of the work Graham and John are doing.

The amount of primer used by the factory has saved the bonnet but a nightmare to strip.

[NickA]

The new aircon kit from Pat at fen Air has been dispatched.

[cannonball]

They look to have done a superb job letting the wheel arches in,,,, very nice,

[NickA]

Metal work all finished and now getting ready for paint.

[AH1951]

Nice 1954 Jensen 541 in Culverland's also.

qq.jpg (137.46 KiB) Viewed 5123 times

[John]

Nice 1954 Jensen 541 in Culverland's also.

qq.jpg

Many thanks this is indeed a beauty. Came in to us for a colour change and is now with Andy for mechanical work. We will be posting more pictures of this car soon on our facebook page.