Staff Car Sagas

Danny burns the midnight oil to get the Jensen ready

Jeopardy – will Danny’s Jensen be ready for the Practical Classics Restoration Show?

My big Reef Blue machine is, at last, on a proper schedule. Well, I say schedule, I mean there is a deadline and pile of bits that, believe me, is an advance on my previous stuttering, meandering idea of progress. Five years in, and now into five figures spent (between myself and my dad), there is an end in sight because the Interceptor is going to be the main live stage rebuild car at the Practical

Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC on March 31-April 2. This means it has to be ready to be finished - live. I have offered a ride in the passenger seat as I drive the completed car off stage for the first time as a prize if you book a ticket early so this is it. it will be done. It is locked and loaded, the game is very much on!

Workshops can be difficult environments for fresh paint and my ‘Ceptor has suffered some issues since being given its coat a couple of years ago. I wanted to make sure the deterioration was halted and for peace of mind, and because I like to experiment with 21st century tech, I asked Wes Hope from Airglide to come and coat the car with his excellent gloop.

Airglide first cleans and rejuvenates the paint finish, gets it in the best possible fettle then seals that finish. It took a long morning but the result looks good and hopefully will last until I get another respray. As much as anything else working with Wes (and his dog Rocco), was a great way to reacquaint myself with the bodywork. There are still minor imperfections to deal with and some sinkage and a small amount of blistering in places – mental notes were made.

Then I hit the road to deliver the chromework to Chrome Restoration Specialists in Folkestone. They have a great reputation and are particularly skilled in working on lightly damaged trim. I sent