A car restoration company has managed to breathe new life into an abandoned Jaguar, which had been left to perish while buried in undergrowth for almost 30 years.
The vintage car was found in the gardens of a private estate in Gloucestershire, hidden among the overgrown shrubbery with its body rusting, a collapsed roof and broken windscreen.
According to Kent-based E-Type UK, which specialises in restoring, servicing and upgrading E-type models, the owner of the estate had fallen ill, and his son had taken over to find a 'plethora of classic vehicles in the land behind the house', including a number of Jaguars.
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The family then contacted E-Type UK to see if the car - which turned out to be the 10th Series 1 E-type '4.2' to leave the Jaguar production line in Coventry 55 years ago - could be rescued and restored.
A post on E-Type UK's website explained: "Due to being forgotten and exposed to the elements for so many years, the body of the car in its entirety was not salvageable, however, the vehicle maintained its identity with all its original matching numbers running gears and front and rear suspension complete.
"After finding this gem of a field find the team cracked out the clippers and spades and got the car on the trailer and safely to our Kent headquarters to revive its E-Type Story."
Amazingly, the team at E-Type UK managed to work their magic, and now the car has an estimated value of up to £125,000.
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The vehicle's body was beyond salvage after years of being exposed to the elements, but the original running gear and independent rear suspension unit were in strong enough condition to be reconditioned.
E-Type UK also managed to source or handcraft pretty much every other remaining component of the car, finishing it off with a coat of Opalescent Silver Grey paint before it was polished for an astounding 60 hours.
According to Hagerty Classic Car Values, a spotless example of the car would fetch up to £125,000 ($151,000) on today's market.
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The car valuers even said one in a not-so-perfect condition is predicted to cost upward of £82,000 ($99,000).
Marcus Holland, owner of E-Type UK, told The Daily Mail: "We are incredibly proud and privileged to have been given the opportunity to complete a full restoration of the 10th Jaguar E-type Series 1 4.2 RHD FHC to come off the production line."
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He added: "It is now back on Britain's roads, upholding the incredible legacy of the E-type and ready to be enjoyed for the first time in over 30 years."
The folks at E-Type UK said the car was 'a perfect example' of what they set out to achieve, by bringing 'these forgotten yet fabulous and iconic machines back to life'.
Right then, anyone got a spare £125k?
Featured Image Credit: E-Type UK