JAGUAR RESTOMODS EVERYWHERE!

[@stu0508]

I don't really understand how people can watch this channel and then not know how much these cars cost to build, the customers are multi millionaires and the cars RP produce are complete one off (or two off!) elite machines. And i say all that with the upmost praise, it's british engineering excellance and that's why i've watched every single episode! I'll never own one, but they're a lot more interesting than a supercar and think how many people own them vs how much attention they get.

[@mikesautotruckrepairinc.cr5621]

Correct, I think 300 grand would be more of an accurate average.

[@angusmackay7281]

@@mikesautotruckrepairinc.cr5621 I think that's probably a litlle shy for some of them, but not a million miles away. When you think about the number of artisan hours that went into the Churchill shell for example, that's a lot a value. If you've done any kind of serious build yourself (even without radical mods) you know how much it costs.

[@johnsherborne3245]

@@mikesautotruckrepairinc.cr5621which means if the price matters to you, you can’t afford one!

[@Matnrach2-mf9qr]

@@mikesautotruckrepairinc.cr5621Has to be. 80k in parts. Around 3000hours @ min £60/hr. So got to be starting at £250k

[@markellis796]

Well said.

[@fw1421]

My god does Churchill looks beautiful. Love the bodywork and that Blue! Magnificent! The owner will be pleased I’m sure.

[@karensmith2090]

I worked on SAAB cars from 1985 to about 2008 and love them. As you rightly say the 900 is peak SAAB. I qualified as a SAAB master tech and they were the best company in the auto industry to work for. Cant wait to see how the project progreses.

[@davidmilligan6028]

Its really cool to have a shout out, thank you Cal. The work you guys do is stunning so i have no doubt the Saab will be a beautiful project.

[@stephencook4577]

The appeal of all these projects for me is based on the original vehicles. That’s what got me here in the first place, seeing a video of a Mk2 Jag being modified and enhancing the beauty of the original car. I’d say most of your viewers are tinkerers to some degree and you show just take that tinkering to a level that most of us can only dream of. Don’t change! I’d love to see you work on a big Healey or something similar.

[@philtucker1224]

Yes a big Healey Restomod would be excellent (I wonder if one is already on the client waiting list over the next 2-3 years possibly?)

[@johnsherborne3245]

I’d agree with you. Though I have rather puzzled at building a XK150 coupe from a Mk2

[@davidparry1982]

Totally get the explanation as to the need for the original - it’s the DNA of what you (re?) create… I love classics and really excellent and inspiring restomods equally

[@vivcowley891]

Another great episode. My thoughts on Retropower making there own car. Don’t do it! I think that what you currently do is your exact market, To improve, modify an existing design is what’s in the heart of 99.9% of the people that watch. I feel that anyone trying to make something fresh is an extra hard task, For sure certain brands are creating some fantastic designs, Rimac,, Konegsegg, and others. But yesterday’s classic designs are there to be improved. Case in point, E type!!! When i recently became aware of Thornley Kelham, and looked at the Aurelia, WOW! And it’s that wow factor that you guys are great at. Stick with what you’re good at. Great work. On a separate note, a pal of mines first car was an Austin Allegro. He took the badges off, cut them up and rearranged the letters to read “ Elliot Nasal Rug” can’t imagine you’ll be doing the same😃

[@simonredfern9501]

Big up the Markster... lovin' the updates....

[@Danger_mouse]

51:30 I think you definitely have the correct formula now, basing your design off a cherished/remembered/loved original vehicle, but making it how it would be done today. It's in your business DNA and the name - Retro...power 👍 Keep up the awesome work!!

[@KeithHilton-w6u]

The colour of the Jaguar is something else, on the one off Ferrari Etc do lots of one offs. Customers are out there with deep pockets. Can i just say your videos are really interesting, and the top notch workers you posses shows in all aspects. You should be proud of all your staff.

[@Copleyfundresearch]

Great update fellas. In terms of creating your own car, perhaps specialising in a specific model like Singer would be the best route. Something a bit more 'off the shelf' than a bespoke build.

[@micheltebraake7915]

Churchill looks great after it gets its color, now we have to wait for it to be finished.

[@bernietoast2686]

Looking forward to seeing that Saab build!

[@davidconnolly292]

More Bobby and Mark please. It livens up the videos even though everyone is tuning into Cal and Nat

[@williamfreret6859]

Nice, the fact you let the workers explain their work. Always funny with Marc... 🤭

[@shaunsheep8252]

I think what you do now (retro modding) an old classic is your niche and what you are best at (and because it’s close to my heart as I’m resto modding an old triumph) To build a car from scratch to me would not be a good way to go for your business. Stay with what you do best and amazingly well

[@simonorr594]

Yes - remember when ProDrive tried?

[@chrispy104k]

Great video guys. One suggestion is to raise the volume of the audio from Nat. Either boost it in post or maybe attach the lapel mic up near the top of his shirt. At the moment I have to crank up the volume of the video and then when ads are shown the audio of the ads wake up the neighbours and scare the bejesus out of myself. The SAAB Outro was hilarious.

[@asadumatitus874]

I say it again, it must be embarrassing being the first shop that worked on the Jensen prior to being saved by the Retropower team. Its going to be a Beast of a Car!!! Big Ups👏

[@1966davrojoe]

You put the cat amongst the pigeons👍👍 , everybody has an opinion on what you should do, I am always amazed at the design and the finished vehicles.... outstanding work.

[@1966davrojoe]

Just watching Retropower episode 20, a golden oldie. If you we're to produce car's, my choice would be the Kaiser and the XJC, they are your most beautiful vehicles you have made.

[@rekleif]

They should produce Opel Ascona and Manta 400 copies with NA redtop 2.3 280-300hp engines or the Volvo/Yamaha 8444 v8 which should fit in the engine bay and it is a very light engine. Easily tunable with porting and custom cams to around 400hp na, it should be possible to get 500hp even na, or up to 600whp with boost.... It is an extremely well designed engine not really used by anyone but Swedes in restomods. It´s narrow v angle is ideal and comes from Yamaha using that block in their 300hp outboard boat engine.

[@bongosock]

Nice one, Bobby :)

[@kuyper]

25:40: The positive camber on the rear wheels of the Project One Escort at full droop, made me do a double take to make sure that wasn't a VW Beetle on the lift :)

[@spowagematthew]

Thanks for reading my comment. It made me and Mrs Spowage smile. 😂

[@kuyper]

52:42 - Shed skid! @TheSkidFactory would be proud (though their's are almost all V-8s :))

[@BiggerThanFrogs]

Great video as always. The addition of time lapse has been really good, complementing the odd "bit of a montage" from Jamie. I also love how much you manage to upset some people with every new project! As for me, I'm not paying for it, so I just enjoy watching your engineering and design solutions, and the thought processes behind both. Love your work, and thanks for doing these videos.

[@diraziz396]

All that Goodness Packed. Cheers

[@Braveheart7914-idfl]

Sunday night ☕️on feet up let’s catch up on this weeks awesome build updates 👍🏻😉🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@vokstar]

I think the difficulty would be about building your own car and selling it is kind what you said. That would be selling your dream to people, but at the moment people are buying their dream from you. What might be interesting is building a version of a stillborn project like a Yamaha OX99-11...

[@jerehada]

Thinking that the Escorts have being done in Retropower record time? Some amazing builds in the offing the Churchill blue looks so good with more light I wonder if that will be the most spectacular end car, just from a fabrication and body engineering perspective it’s been coach built.

[@rafaeldouglas2065]

Excellent to see you have a Saab in for work. Once finished, it will be the car it always should have been but much much better.

[@tedzehnder961]

Nice craftmanship with good forethought.Time consuming but looks like something OEM.

[@stuartkynoch7289]

Retropower ashtrays!

[@andymallinson9447]

Nat still laughing at the wooden tank comment....😂

[@emmajnation-emma]

Was that a bleed nipple at the *bottom* of the Jensen’s rear brake caliper at 9:00 ?

[@johnrebus1641]

Awesome "Before" test run in the SAAB - I hope there will be an even better "After" test

[@johngreenwood1972]

That jag coupe is going to be the best looking mk2 ever.

[@GuyChapman]

I had a 5-cylinder turboVolvo. Glorious thing!

[@paulgr333]

Keep up the stellar work fellas! Speaking of stellar work, you tend to get the proportions of all your custom changes spot-on, so I'm wondering if you looked at extending the door lengths of the Scimitar? It looks weird as standard and considering you are completely redesigning the body, did you do any renderings with extended doors to see how it looked?

[@NathanNostaw]

I'm excited to follow this crazy SAAB project. Love the idea. Any plans for doing an early 9000? I love both the 900s and 9000s, such quirky designs and nothing but an enjoyable driving and owning experience.

[@aussiebloke609]

I know wood and masking tape fuel tanks are indeed the future, but we're not quite there yet, Nat. But if this goes mainstream, remember, you saw it here first...err, second. 😁

[@rennkafer13]

It will be interesting to see how you deal with turning the RS3 engine longitudinal in the Saab. Here in the US it's been solved various ways as the RS3's garden variety VW cousin (the 07K 2.5liter 5 cylinder) are very common and so get used places where they didn't originally reside (like the Iroz Motorsport Ur-Quattro). The main issues are the left side engine mount, as the block has no mounts on that side, and the oiling system (mainly the oil pan itself). Speaking of Iroz, they're experts in the RS3 engine, with outputs into the 1500bhp range, might be worth a consult with them. Their shop test mule RS3 has run in the 7's in the quarter mile.

[@benbuchanan672]

Matt looks like he’d rather do all the big bits and then the small bits 🤣

[@paull285]

As always, great content and honesty, do you do an open day/ coffee meet? Would love to come and meet the team 👍

[@ChristopherHallett]

1: Who gave Marc a line of Bolivian marching powder right before he filmed his part, and 2: Nat looked actively disappointed at the cut back to him after Marc's bit... 😀

[@VOOM_Tube]

I had had a can of monster and was a bit energetic 🤣

[@SB-vb8ch]

For me the link back to something that was either mundane or lusted after but improved in every possible way is so much more valuable than a "new" design. Just look at all of the recent really desirable interesting cars & they are all linked back to something else with some history which means its ingrained in people's minds.

[@1dennisbuck]

G'day, I don't think a car built without a reference to an exixting vehicle would appeal to many. I really feel that the owners of your cars have them made because the want something the same but completely different. My favourite of your cars so far is the Minor Threat. My first car was a 1951 Morris Minor low light. Thanks for your videos. I have viewed every one. Kind Regards Dennis

[@philtucker1224]

To watch some of these retro mods racing around Goodwood during the revival is just fabulous, (Many of the current and previous F1 team managers that have done a bit of racing in the past get their elbows right out and friendly carnage often ensues! ) 😂🤣

[@zounds13]

Saab + Audi = Saaudi

[@red00eye]

Project Riyadh

[@zounds13]

@@red00eye perfect

[@AdamEwart]

Workmates that make themselves a coffee, and throw the spoon on the bench for someone else to clean, are my favourite people 😬 😄

[@richy69ify]

and no one ever does 🤢

[@18robsmith]

Oooooo - a five pot, turbo 4x4 Saab. A real WTF sleeper off the lights, with adequate power and noise to boot 🙂 I hope the very distinctive, and clean, lines of the Saab 900 are retained as far as possible to leave the "That looks like a 900, but it's not quite as it left the factory" look.

[@hattontoma]

Anothe great update, thanks. The Saab sounds very interesting! Question! Are there any projects which you have turned down because they're too ambitious or you maybe just weren't keen on the customers ideas, that you could share with us? Thanks.

[@bwm999]

1- I agree with your thoughts on an original design. The clue is in your company name ☺️. 2- I’d suggest inviting Harry M to visit, do a tour & drive a customer car (I’m sure they all know he is!). That should get you additional subs but even he struggles to get high views on his restoration videos, compared to the new car reviews (the viewers are highly engaged though). 3- instead of original car, would it not be worth finding a project which has enough appeal to justify a ten car run. That way you get some economies of scale to cover carbon panels & suspension components etc. would need to be the right car to suit your brand appeal. Something very British. With enough good quality donors out there. How about Lotus?

[@Matnrach2-mf9qr]

I think you are right. There are plenty of boutique specialist cars whose owners are not the sort you deal with. What you are doing is the correct and there obviously is a strong market for it.

[@keithfarrell3370]

Oh dear. The crowd who had the Jensen previously must be mortified watching how the build is going.

[@philtucker1224]

In what respect Keith? Can you elaborate buddy?

[@tonedcos]

I think the desire to own an original Retropower car would be huge, as you already have a client base, who i presume would fight to own an original from you guys. I know i would if i was a rich man yadayada ;)

[@stevemcilroy.62]

Out of curiosity, the brake discs/calipers on the Jensen are pretty near the actual fuel tank surface. With the heat generated from the calipers and discs, will you need to put in some sort of heat shield between the two?

[@allanfoster6965]

Would internal baffles be welded into bespoke fuel tanks in the future? To help avoid the fuel sender/guage problem?

[@mjrocketsurgeon]

I keep expecting a picture of a duck to flash up every time Nat say Duct! Missed opportunity.

[@richardirving4189]

Collaborate with Ultima, do the XJ13 and find a way to get the drivers head beneath the top of the windscreen.

[@Stu_2112]

"We tend to stay away from turbos".....Somewhere in an Australian workshop a portly bearded man spits out his lemon squash 😅

[@danb.3397]

DON'T FORGET THE ROAD TEST VIDEOS !!!

[@meirionrhys3786]

Saab sounds a fascinating build, the engine and drivetrain is one that Ricky Elder at RE performance knows very well, he has built one of the quickest 5 cylinder audis in europe

[@Danger_mouse]

41:48 SAAB... last week I was like 'Meh, Saab's, horrible to work on and weird'. Well, I take that back, a Quattro SAAB 5 cylinder I can definitely get behind 😁👌

[@kuyper]

44:14 - 2 Tachometers; twin engine swap coming? :)

[@ChristopherHallett]

HOLD UP A FUCKING MINUTE - 33:46 I see the Perth Brake Parts sticker on the underside of that toolbox lid! They're my guys! I go there for all brake and clutch stuff! How in the hell does someone in England have a sticker for a performance brake shop in Perth, Western Australia?

[@MmeDesgranges]

Nice pickup bro!

[@davidprocter3578]

The same thought went through my mind a year ago, prompted by the Jensen project. take a well thought of car from the past ,parent company bust and model deleted and produce a custom production model. both Jensen and Reliant were at the top of my list. After all you are nearly there with the Jensen and its molds.and lets face it you are already doing something similar with the BMW's for what his face, Just had a thought think I might have said all this before, senior moments creeping in.Anyway loads of great old cars to choose from it is not like you will be going into mass production, keep it simple one car one engine one gearbox one trim one price.any colour you like as long as it is BRG.you would not want to put your custom shop out of work!!!!Must say really impressed by the fly press patterns.

[@paulminchington6111]

Totally agree that customers build cars on memories / experiences / desires. I don't think a completely new design is where you need to grow your business. From previous videos, a 2 year wait list says volumes that you have the current formula spot on!!! So that said, where's the Mk3 Cortinas???

[@carynelson8536]

I think ya rite with inhanching rather than new design....altermitt restomod is my luv 4 sure. Cary Nz

[@LeighW1973]

With the ever tightening of regulations, do you expect things to get more difficult or it even becoming impossible to legally register these cars where so little of the donor remains?

[@mantomania13]

A nice projekt from building from scratch would be a small sportscar like the 750 Zagato Abarths or other small coupes from the 60s with small 4 zylinder engines, I always liked the small footprints of these cars.

[@TP-3000]

Exactly. Or Alfa 33 stradale

[@TheOriginalDaveJ]

Share it on your socials and share with friends and colleagues folks.

[@g0fvt]

Just throwing something random out there, the obvious SAAB conversion might be a fellow Swede Volvo 5 pot with AWD drivetrain. Unfortunately Haldex based but extremely available. A positive to the Haldex is that it does not affect the basic cars balance until traction is lost on the front. Being transverse it is also perhaps going to help your weight distribution. Of course Volvo also do a transverse V8.... 4.4 litre Yamaha design...also available AWD. S80 floorpan? (late model S80s are over 300hp stock)

[@thenovascotiabarndoor1954]

Always entertaining. Thanks for sharing. Have you had any inquiries for a hybrid project? I can see the attraction for a clastic daily or GT with the smooth, quite power of a quality hybrid powertrain.

[@marchough2424]

What's happening with the mini pickup grass tracker ?

[@reggiedixon2]

I had always thought that given the number of staff and the specialisation and the timescale of each project that these cars are hugely expensive

[@ralph007silver]

If you have a genuine replacement panel that doesn't fit an original 1970s Jaguar, then you have indeed been given a genuine Jaguar panel 😆 As for building your own car, i don't think that would be a great idea. Your work is absolutely astounding, and no doubt you could build a stunning car, but what do you do to tick all the boxes you currently tick? The finished cars are all fantastically enhanced versions of original cars, whereas your "own car" would have no real story, or soul to it. Coupe? Saloon? Hatchback? V8? Straight 6? V12? Fixed head? Convertible? Rear wheel drive? 4x4? ... the list is endless. Stick to what you do guys, because I doubt you'll ever be twiddling your fingers for what to work on next, you must surely have a queue waiting for some considerable time yet ! I probably speak for many people that when my numbers come up, I'll be knocking your door with my dream project ... A Jaguar MKX / 420G Drop us the V12 in it, supercharged if you can, please, we'll talk about the rest when I have a few bob 👍😆 Great channel, superb work guys, and all local to me, being from Nuneaton 👍

[@nigelwest3430]

On the subject of fuel tanks/pump/senders etc, back in 2000 (ish) I was working on a low volume mid engine sports car, it was using the 4.6 litre Mustang Cobra V8, we also used the fuel pump, we had a situation where the fuel gauge would read correctly but then it would start to become erratic and we would find that the further the car went, the more fuel was shown ! I changed the fuel sender, no change, I changed the gauge, no change, I even re-wired the gauge with the wires running on the outside of the carbon body in case it was picking up on something else within the vehicle, no change, we drove the car accelerating/braking heavily, drove it round roundabouts at breakneck speed, no dynamic input to the reading at all ????? after about 2 weeks of this we sussed that we were using racing style bag tanks and as it was an early prototype we hadn't bothered getting the foam filling, long story short, the fuel sender was reading correctly when the tank was full but as the fuel level went down it got to a point where the pump was sucking up the fuel and as the fuel weight had reduced it was also sucking the sides of the tank in, reducing the effective volume of the tank and making the level rise 🤣 ...................... perfect example of Occam's razor, the simplest explanation is usually the right one, the fuel level was rising, nothing wrong with the sender/gauge, we did have some fun testing it though 🤪

[@davidyates748]

I have a question for Cal, I assume: I've noticed that you have used ECUs from several different manufacturers in the past. Can you share what makes you choose one make of ECU over another for any given project? I agree with the sentiment that others have shared that I can't understand the motivation that would cause someone to commission an entirely bespoke vehicle, for me as you said the base car is the inspiration regardless of how far the eventual finished product deviates from it

[@markblack195]

Kindig Design (across the pond) do their take on a C1 Corvette as a bespoke car with a custom chassis and a carbonfibre body, perhaps you could do your take on a MK1 2 door Escort with a bespoke carbon fibre body, flush bonded glazing, custom chassis designed to take perhaps MX5 running gear (it's well engineered and pretty similar size wise) and give the car all the mod cons; PS, AC, NAV, CL, EW, Bluetooth, top quality leather interior, it would be a great sized practical car. Unlike the originals however, it would ride handle and go like a rocket but with non of the rust, rattles wind noise or lack of brakes 5th gear etc.

[@MmeDesgranges]

Cal .. there's no green in that tartan!

[@frankpeutz9106]

Hello, I would love it if you could spend an episode sometime on the regulatory aspect; what is allowed, what is not allowed, what must be done and what are the boundaries. I have always thought that you are only allowed to make very limited changes to a car. Take the Intercepter for example, where both the drive train and the chassis are, so to speak, a prototype. Are the cars registered with old license plates, etc. Thanks in advance and keep it up! Frank

[@964cuplove]

More Churchill pleeeeease

[@red00eye]

I think there is a gap between retromod and your own clean sheet design that might be interesting, missing link type cars. Take the Quattro, if Audi hadn't stopped developing it it would be something like the SportQuattro concept of 2013/14. Not remotely based on the old Audi but still has a link to an enthusiasts car. A 2024 RP SportQuattro would be something else

[@sixtring73]

I think the idea of creating your own unique design rather than using pre existing is interesting, but I'd say the ethos of what you do is taking a design and making it better. Although if you were to create a car from scratch it would be awesome! Have any of your waiting customers commissioned a Capri? I would absolutely love to see your interpretation of a Capri, I had 6 in my younger years and love the design but I've never seen a Capri build that I would consider the 'ultimate' Capri.

[@chrisslater3174]

Well, if the bastard son of an Allegro conjoin-twinned with an Integra, sporting rally inspired arches isn't an all-new car, then I don't know what is? 😂 That you found more than one person wanting to own such a hybrid is also a miracle. Intriguing to watch, though.

[@gdarcyie]

Was hoping we might get to see a Saab 900 build ,there was a render that popped up on insta showed Restmod Saab 900 turbo looked pretty good

[@vorny1966]

Great update as ever guys, but no biscuit news ? 😂

[@timc5969]

Never skip Allegro day Marc

[@VOOM_Tube]

😂😂

[@fredericrike5974]

Cal, after that brilliant explanation of the process that leads to costing and billing RP's cars, I only have one question on that; how much has the Global Workshop program helped/hurt RP? I know you had to get that long list of things done before you had it, so I guess I'm wondering how that changed. As to costing, I had figured up to seven figures in USD would be easy; a full up car and body shop prices out from $125/hr in some of the cheapest markets in the US and can run over $200/hr USD- for a regular shop, not a custom engineering one. And every time my proletarian, laborist soul had a qualm, it only took thinking you must be paying way over union scale for the huge talents you get. But then again, I have put more money than good sense into a few cars myself! If it weren't for people like you and Nat, running very specialized shops, almost none of the fast aviation growth and Britain's part in it would have happened back just a few decades ago. Got to get you guys to do SEMA- you have the stuff, I'm sure you can get some clients to do their parts and I'd hit up Global Workshop for some plane tickets, at least!

[@MmeDesgranges]

SEMA is politics bro

[@johndawson221]

Would love to see what you lot would do with a 70’s RR Silver Shadow, Marina Coupe or the late 80’s street cool mk3 Escort van to name a few. All off the wall and all cars I’ve always thought had potential given a complete rethink! What’s your thoughts on doing a small commercial vehicle to that end?

[@RusteeUte]

G'day gentlemen, I'd like to add a comment regarding the SAAB project after hearing Mr Milligan's spot on vision for the driveline. I couldn't help but make a parallel suggestion, albeit too late, that the driveline from a VW R36 would make the perfect transplant. Full disclosure, I am biased because I drive a 2010 wagon in the hero blue (similar to churchill?) with a fruity, rumbly exhaust. 300hp standard with 550hp only a trip to the supercharger shop away, AWD, flappy paddle 6 speed DSG, what's not to love? And did I mention the sound they make???!!! 😎🇦🇺

[@42Hertzer]

"It's ALIVE!!!!" (SAAB)

[@gtr161]

Rain in the UK??? Must be summer... :)

[@parrotraiser6541]

It would not be correct to call Stu a metalworker; he's a ferrous philosopher.

[@paulwhite7475]

If the Scimitar is a whole new car , why did you sacrifice a really nice example when you aren't using any of it ? Or do you need it for the tags snd registration

[@modelmania825]

what will be the plans for the xjc ? anything special or just a restoration , with some modern bits ?

[@russcooke5671]

Just a restoration 😂😂😂 on the XCC

[@modelmania825]

@@russcooke5671 what is being done right now is JUST a propper resto job on an xjc ,, i have done more than 10 of them including a lister replica , and a broadspeed xjc that is in a museum right now ! and yes most of them are that bad , i have had some that where a lot worse and doing any less than a propper job is just a problem waiting to happen , and rust to come back in no time

[@insanebilly]

What surprised me most last week was not the Saab it was Nat playing the Cello. Not sure about building your own car. Just does not feel right but would be a great project for you to see what you could build if give a Budget.

[@mjrocketsurgeon]

MCM referred to the Saab turbo they played with as 'The Dentist Jet' 😆

[@trevorwoods2580]

Have you ever thought of doing an open day to show some of the builds and where it all happens.

[@interesting7906]

What happened to the blue jag? It looked like it was getting done and then it just disappeared..

[@shaunsheep8252]

Along with Sam disappearing

[@interesting7906]

@@shaunsheep8252 did he run off with the jag? 🤣

[@williamguillIII]

Nice to see my cousin Brit's with some proper American pony cars!