Classic insurers say owners have unwittingly kept their cars’ agreed values at the same levels for years, despite recent price surges, particularly for 1970s and ’80s models.

Marcus Atkinson, marketing director at classic car insurer Hagerty, said the majority of classic cars are under-insured simply because owners are unaware of how much their cars have increased in value after recent price rises.

New Top Gear presenter, Chris Evans, is selling off £11million worth of classic cars at auction next month. Evans, who is replacing Jeremy Clarkson as the new presenter for the BBC show, has consigned 13 cars to the Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The items include the rare right-hand drive 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy, with an estimate of £2.6-2.9m, the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 ‘Daytona’ Spider,

According to Wikipedia, a Grand Tourer can be defined as: “a performance and luxury automobile capable of high speed or spirited long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement”.

The term derives from the Italian ‘gran turismo’, and is a tribute to the tradition of the grand tour, which sees GTs of various marques and models embarking on long-distance, high-speed journeys in both style and comfort.

According to author Sam Dawson, “the ideal is a car with the ability to cross a continent at speed and in comfort, yet provide driving thrills when demanded”, and it should exhibit the following:

• The GT should have been devised by its designers specifically as a Grand Tourer
• It should be able to transport at least two in comfort with their luggage and have room to spare

More and more drivers are turning to classic cars as their vehicle of choice. For some, the decision is driven by nostalgia, while for others it may be the desire to stand out from the crowd. This post will take a closer look at some of the reasons why classic car fans are choosing uniqueness before uniformity.

In a world of relative conformity, some individuals just want to be different. Whether that is through their dress sense, their interior design, or, indeed, the vehicle they choose to drive, there are individualists who favour uniqueness.

As car designs become increasingly dull, and with a lack of personality resulting from modern design, looking for a new car is hardly exciting. Driving experience is also taking a hit, as technology takes control of the wheel more and more.

A a properly re-engineered classic car ensures complete driving pleasure, and will take

In line with recent news that classic cars are becoming an increasingly good investment opportunity, we’ve compiled a table, using data from Classic Car Buyer, illustrating more clearly the rising values of all XJS models, no matter what the condition.

The Classic Car Buyer price guide is compiled with reference to a variety of sources, including clubs, auction results and advertisements, both printed and online. It is impossible to accurately value a specific vehicle without examining the car first.

The listings below are intended to provide a useful guide only, and were valid on 22nd July 2015. Asking prices can vary widely between different examples of the same model. Our figures relate to private sales online. Dealer prices and values for insurance purposes are generally higher.

Note: Conditions listed refer to the following:

• Condition 1: First class condition and well cared for throughout its life
• Condition 2: Good condition with legitimate MOT and

We’ve had the pleasure of working on this increasingly customised V12 XJS on a number of occasions. On its latest visit to our workshop, we’ve been asked to install our Digital Engine Management (DEM) system. The system will release more power, and will allow us to optimise the fuelling and ignition for other modifications, such as cold air inlets.

Modifying these engines would normally have little or no effect, unless the fuelling and ignition is re-mappable. Without specialist knowledge of the original firmware-based map and ability to re-blow vintage eproms, this is not really possible.

Our modern Omex system, however, allows for full re-mapping. This XJS was dyno-tested at just over 300bhp, prior to any modifications being carried out. Once the installation of the system has been completed, we will be able to check on the gains we’ve made.

Another advantage of the modern engine management is the much-improved reliability. The old Lucas system

On a hot Friday afternoon, Theresa spotted an XJS on our business park with an RAC van in attendance. Rushing to the rescue, she found that the RAC engineer could only tow it away because there was a big misfire and overheating exhaust. To the owner’s relief, Theresa pointed out that KWE was only a few yards away!

We leapt on the damsel in distress (the car, that is) and found the cause was a big ignition problem, with one bank of the V12 not working at all. In the end, we had to replace a faulty coil, leaking ignition leads and the distributor cap, while the owners basked in the sunshine.

All now being well, the owners went on their way, and we received the following email this morning:

“THERE IS A JAGUAR XJS GOD AFTER ALL… I could not believe my bad luck in breaking down on a lovely hot sunny afternoon,

We received this video from YouTube vlogger, Martyn Stanley. Hear what he had to say about the increasingly popular XJS, and why he thinks restoring with KWE is the way forward.

In line with growing investment potential, and as the car comes up to its landmark 40th anniversary, the XJS continues to get drivers’ hearts racing.

If, like Martyn, you’d like to restore a classic car back to its former glory, get in touch. We pride ourselves on our ability to back to ‘better-than-new’ quality, in line with your specifications.Call us on 01635 30030, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

In many V12 HE cars (all of which up to 1993 are fitted with the GM400 box) a common issue we’ve encountered, and one that can worry its owners, is for large clouds of white smoke to emanate from the back of the vehicle, particularly on a hot run and after a service.

This is usually a result of the gearbox being overfilled, with the excess being blown out of the breather, which is invisibly placed on top of the box. The oil drips down, hits the hot exhausts and produces an impressive cloud of smoke. Equally, it is easy to under-fill, as the procedure is not widely understood, and dipstick readings can be misleading when oil accumulates in the bottom of the [...]

The Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index notes that classic cars have beaten everything from art, watches and coins over the past 1 year, 5 years and 10 years. This is telling people that classic and vintage cars are a viable investment asset class.

The focus on classic and vintage cars is not about collecting now but about investing. The strong returns have attracted many in the classic and vintage car world seeking financial gain as the primary goal.

Along with buying art or wine, a classic car is one of those investments that can potentially bring you joy while you own it, as well as providing a smart place to hold your money. And let’s face it, when you can take the top down off your very own E-type Jag and cruise

Is your Jaguar XJS ready to shine this summer? If not, then why not call on our professional valet and paint protection services and treat your classic car to a thorough spring clean.

Select from three levels of valeting and a leather refurbishment service, prices start from £90.

For a long-lasting shine, we also offer Advanced Nano Coating paint protection. This is a highly developed nano-scale protective film that lasts – with yearly polishing – for up to 15 years. To find out more, visit our website or call 01635 30030 for an appointment.

Here’s one we did earlier – a KWE-restored Jaguar XJS in solid black with paint [...]