“Why I Chose Concours Sportscar Restoration
In May, 2000 an email alerted me that a very rare XK140 OTS SE was for sale. The car was special, being the only original right-hand drive XK140 OTS SE model with a C Type head, sandcast carburettors and 9:1 compression ratio ever built.
Although being involved as a member and director of the Jaguar Drivers Club of Australia I knew little about XK’s, my other Jaguars being a Mark 2, and XJC and an XJS. I did know that I loved the sweeping lines of the XK and I did know just the person to talk to… Gavin King of Concours Sportscar Restoration in Brookvale, Sydney.
Why did I choose Gavin?
From knowing him in the JDCA, I was aware he had an amazing knowledge of XK’s and had undertaken successful restorations in the past. Restoration of an XK150, which went on to win many awards at Concours events, was followed by a beautiful restoration of a multiple Concours-winning XK140 DHC. If he could do that 140 so successfully he certainly had the technical skills to do mine.
But there is one thing even more important that technical skills and that is integrity. How many people have been ripped off by restorers overcharging, undertaking unnecessary work or taking shortcuts and not doing the work correctly. I know I needed someone I could trust and Gavin was such a person.
I knew he would take a personal interest in the vehicle and would assiduously oversee his in-house tradesmen to ensure the work was done correctly. Gavin has a policy of performing only first-class repairs, ensuring that cars they restore will be something special, great to own and drive and will retain the highest possible value commensurate with the work undertaken.
That’s why I chose Concours Sportscar Restoration “