Hi, I'm a retired Lecturer from Farming stock. Inherited my father's 420G. He bought it new in 1970 for around £2300.00 i think.

He died in 1988 leaving it to me in his will. It has been up on blocks in the garage for 23 years till both my daughters decided to get married within 8 weeks of each other.

My mother aksed them if they would like their Grandfathers car to go to their wedding in but would have to ask Dad as he left it to him. This was in August 2011, the first wedding was in August 2012,then October for the second.

I went it to my local garage and said, fancy MOTing my 420G for my daughters wedding. He had a look and put a new battery on but no compression. He towed to the garage. He said that I could do a rolling restoration or a full restoration.

Very green with these things I said, do the lot. The answer came back, if you help then I'll do it. The next 9 months I was at the garage, evenings, weekends, cutting, cleaning, taking appart, grinding, filling, sanding, shotblasting priming, undercoating and watching the final 10 coats of 18 been done.

By June of 2012 it was done. The only part left to do is the head lining. But everything else has been done back to show room condition.

Thats the short version.
Ps
I have had the roof lining done,(January 14) it really looks brand new now.

 

Attachment 41586Hi Graham.
Let's see if you get these and see what others might think.
Hi Graham.
Just to let you know I've done a photo album if your interested. Look at 420G Restoration- Resurrection
HSB

 

Attachment 41600

Attachment 41601

 

Hope these work. Thanks a lot Graham. I took HSB to the local Jaguar Centre, I was invited in for a Photo shoot. Top of the ranges 43 years apart. £121,000 verses £2,300
HSB

 

"Hope these work"
Yes they did. And thank you for posting them. Scanned through each one and now I am the cars colour with envy!
How good are the Jag dealers doing that...love it.One to be framed. Sad your father is not able to see his car brought back to new.
I'm sure more people will be admiring your car over the XF. HSB number plates, initials?
Look forward to some more Pics when you have time. Neil

 

HSB - nice work on the restoration - true labor of love. keep the pics coming

 

Hi Steve a d Neil,more pictures promised.
HSB

 

Enough now I think. I'm out at a show on Monday. First real outing, let's see what the public think. I did not know how good a job my friend has done. I did all the apprentice sort of stuff. I'm sure I would pass the audition for Karate Kid 4,5 & 6.I've done enough rubbing down for all the film's. My father always said, " you pay for your pleasures" well, I'm now having the pleasure. My next project when I've recovered and forgotten about how hard it was, is to restore my Isuzu Piazza. Then both daughters can inherit a car each. My regular car is a Peugeot 407 Coupe Sport. Hopefully, another classic in the making. But a long way to go before any restoration needs doing. Hopefully, not my problem.
HSB

 

Enjoyed looking through the restoration sequence. The rear suspension brought back some memories of long days
for me!

I love this one:




Graham

 

You have been holding back from us HSB.
Some call re-chroming the hubcaps a restoration,this is
more like a resurrection. That is an awesome comeback and you are owed much pleasure.There is a MK11 being re-built as well if you have a "rat" around. Well worth a look. Maybe Graham did not realise the extent of this restoration and being segregated to the 420G MKX section may have deprived some forum members from seeing this. IMO.
Good Luck and hope you have some time for updates. I love that side by side shot,and the wedding pic looks beatiful. Thanks Again.Neil

 

HSB - great job and have to agree with Graham - the side by side of old/new is a great shot!

 

[QUOTE=sklimii;731260]HSG - great job and have to agree with Graham - the side by side of old/new is a great shot![/QUOTE

 

Well done HSG ! You should be very proud.

 

Hi Gippsland.
I've quoted you on my Albumn, hope you don't mind.
HSB

 

Now that is one awesome looking machine. Not only should you be proud of what you have achieved but I'm sure your father would be too.

By the way, is that who the 3 badge matelot is.

 

HI Jim
Thanks for your kind comments. Yes,I do feel very proud. And yes, I've had many comments from who remembers the Car out 24 years ago. All saying that my Father would have appreciate all the effort that has gone into making it as good as a brand new one. I have not come across any body who has one as good as Dad's on this forum yet.
I've done an album if your interested to see more pictures. Look under 420G Restoration -Resurrection
HSB

 

No, it's my New Son -inlaw, he is a Navy Bomb Diver. This all started because of my daughter's weddings. You've heard of 4 Weddings and a funeral.well I had 2 weddings 1 Wedding Blessing 1 Funeral,( Mum sadly died too) and 1 Car Restoration!!! So yes, I'm now having my pleasure in driving.
HSB

 

I bloody love the Mk X and 420G. Thank you for putting one back on the road. Great thread.

 

Yep good story, great photos and good on you for rescuing this one!

 

Thanks for the pics , I love seeing these cars as well