Over twenty-four years we have built a Jaguar supplier network that covers SNG Barratt, Martin Robey, and independent British suppliers, which is how we chase down obscure British Leyland-era parts. We keep a running inventory of E-Type weak-point consumables (exhaust hangers, radiator cross-members, boot floors, inner sills), so common restoration stalls don't happen on our jobs. We also hold the largest stock in Romania of E-Type parts, engines and body shells.
Most of our Jaguar work comes from collectors in Italy, Germany, and the UK who ship a car east for quality metalwork at rates that aren't viable in their home markets. Domestic Romanian Jaguar owners tend to be XJ Series drivers restoring for regular use, which we handle as full Daily Driver scope.
Our painting team can match any period colour, including the Jaguar shades owners ask for most: Opalescent Dark Blue, British Racing Green, Old English White and Carmen Red. Pre-1970 cars can have the period-correct lacquer-over-metallic process.
Jaguar restorations we have delivered
1952 Jaguar XK120 RoadsterShow DriverAn early Jaguar XK120 Roadster in black, with orange-tan leather and chrome wire wheels. It reached us in very poor shape, as the before photo shows, and left restored to Show Driver standard.
1974 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 2+2Daily DriverA late E-Type: the Series 3 2+2 with the V12, in a soft olive green over cream leather. Restored to Daily Driver standard, a grand tourer for long, unhurried miles rather than a museum piece.
Flagship models
- E-Type Series 11961–1968The Jaguar clients ask for most. Full-bodywork-off restorations are our speciality.
- E-Type Series 2 and 31968–1975Often overlooked. In some cases a Series 3 V12 is the better investment, and we say when.
- XK120 / XK140 / XK1501948–1961Pre-E-Type open and fixed-head cars. Chassis and woodwork specialists on site.
- Mark 2 (2.4 / 3.4 / 3.8)1959–1967Careful chrome and interior work.
- XJ Series 1–31968–1992Daily Driver or Show Driver territory. Rust remediation is the primary challenge.
Common restoration challenges
- Floor and sill corrosion on all E-Type Series, almost universal on cars that lived in Northern Europe
- Rear subframe mounting points on E-Types, which need a structural-integrity assessment
- Plenum chamber rot on XJ6 Series 1/2 (our welders have templates for the factory stampings)
- Wiring loom replacement using period-correct colour-coded cable
- Brake master cylinder refurbishment, rebuilding the original rather than fitting a modern equivalent
- Original wood veneer re-lamination on Mark 2 and XJ dashboards
Our process for Jaguar
On an E-Type we survey the body shell at five specific points that we've learned predict the rest of the chassis. Every Jaguar also gets a chassis-number check against Jaguar Heritage Trust records where eligible, and we assess matching numbers and factory specification sheets. For UK-sourced cars we request Heritage Certificate documents as part of the intake paperwork.
Typical project cost
E-Type Concours restorations regularly exceed €150,000 when factory-correct NOS trim is specified throughout.
| Tier | Indicative 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Daily Driver | from €18,000 (XJ Series) |
| Show Driver | €45,000 – €100,000 (E-Type, XK, Mark 2) |
| Concours | €110,000 upward (E-Type, XK120) |
What the labour costs here vs at home
Labour is €60 an hour plus VAT, billed monthly on the hours actually worked. Workshops of comparable standard in Germany, Switzerland and the UK charge €85–130 an hour. Parts, chrome and specialist outside work cost about the same everywhere, so the saving is in the labour, and a full Jaguar restoration is mostly labour.
| Hours | Here€60/h + VAT | Western Europe€85–130/h |
|---|---|---|
| 500 h | €30,000saves €12,500–35,000 | €42,500–65,000 |
| 1,000 h | €60,000saves €25,000–70,000 | €85,000–130,000 |
| 1,500 h | €90,000saves €37,500–105,000 | €127,500–195,000 |
Illustrative arithmetic at the published rates, before VAT. Not a quote. Cars that leave the EU after the restoration — to the UK, Switzerland, the US and elsewhere — are normally invoiced without Romanian VAT. Collection from Western Europe, the UK or the US is arranged by our transport service.
Jaguar FAQ
How much does a Jaguar E-Type restoration cost?
A Show Driver E-Type Series 1 restoration costs €65,000–€95,000 in 2026, depending on starting condition and body-shell requirements. A Concours E-Type Series 1 4.2 is €120,000+ with NOS-only sourcing. Series 2 and Series 3 are typically 15–25% less depending on V12 condition.
Do you work on matching-numbers E-Types only?
No. We happily restore non-matching-numbers cars, and before you commit we set out what that does to future resale value. Some clients choose non-matching cars precisely because the purchase price is lower and the restoration experience is identical.
Can you source SNG Barratt and Martin Robey parts on my behalf?
Yes. We do not charge a sourcing markup; you see the supplier invoice directly on your monthly statement.
How long does an E-Type restoration take?
A Show Driver E-Type Series 1 takes 12–16 months in our workshop. A Concours E-Type needs 18–24 months.
Can you paint in Opalescent Dark Blue?
Yes, it's one of our standing library colours. Period-correct application with a lacquer topcoat is available on request for Concours-judged cars.
Do you ship Jaguars in from the UK?
Yes. Left-hand-drive cars are straightforward, and we receive right-hand-drive cars regularly because UK restoration costs have become non-viable for many owners. We handle transport and customs end to end.
Is it cheaper to restore a Jaguar in Romania?
Usually, for labour-heavy work. Our labour is €60 an hour plus VAT, against €85–130 in Germany, Switzerland and the UK, so the same 1,000 hours costs €60,000 here instead of €85,000–130,000. Parts cost about the same everywhere, and transport from Western Europe is a small share of the difference. We bill monthly on the hours actually worked, with supplier invoices shown on your statement.
Do I pay Romanian VAT if my car goes back to the UK, Switzerland or the US?
Normally not. Cars that leave the EU after the restoration — to the UK, Switzerland, the US and elsewhere — are normally invoiced without Romanian VAT. EU clients pay Romanian VAT (21%) on the work. Your home country usually charges its own import VAT on the value of the work when the car returns, under its outward-processing rules, so plan that with your customs agent. We confirm the VAT treatment for your car with the quote.
How do I follow the restoration from abroad?
Every restoration client gets a private online tracker: each stage of the work with photos and notes, viewable from anywhere. Monthly statements list the hours and parts, and you can visit the workshop in Moara Vlăsiei, near Bucharest, by appointment at any stage.