1953 CERA C-Type RECREATION
Built in 1999 by the late John Gregson's company Classic English Racing Autos Ltd C.E.R.A which later became Proteus. John Gregson is a former road-racer who's small company constructed replica C-Type jaguars to a very high standard of authenticity and finish. The said car is a copy of the 1953 Works C-Type fitted triple weber carburettors and a MKII live Rear Axle. The bodywork is Aluminium body with the interior very close to the originals. The body is of hand rolled 1.6mm Aluminium sheet, 11 pieces forming the rear section & 17 for the front end. John Advised limited rolling of the sheets which gives a genuine period look of racing C types. The car is fitted with only one door as per the originals. The body is etch primed & then twin pack finished in British Racing Green. Under the bonnet is a 3.4 litre Jaguar engine equipped with triple Webber Carburettors. The exhaust system follows period Jaguar practice with a pair of manifolds with three short primary branches feeding individual down pipes into a side exiting silencer.
We have been entrusted to sympathetically recommission the fabulous C, bring it back to life for it’s new custodian. Engine and carburettors fine tuning was the key point, checking valve timing and gaps, adjusting where required. Carburettors were prepared to run in sync once again and this really transformed the driving experience all together. We then came to look at the seatbelts fitting and discovered how we can easily improve greatly the safety aspect by fitting a 4 point harness higher up and through the rear bulkhead panel. The rear Aluminum clamshell had to come off to allow us to weld the newly fabricated roll hoop that incorporates the seatbelts mounts. After a few trials and tests, the roll hoop was tucked away under the curvy rear bodywork, like it was there in the first place. We proceeded with servicing the vehicle, brakes, suspension bushes, any lose wiring was tidied away under fabric tape, brake flexi hoses were secured with new brackets. All our works were tested at our nearby MOT station where it was rewarded with a fresh ‘pass’ certificate.
Photography by Virgiliu Andone.
If you would like to discuss the rejuvenation of your C-Type, please don’t hesitate to get in touch using the contact form below or via our usual contact details :
0115 9262266 or info@thorntonrestorations.com