A rare E-Type Jaguar which didn't turn a wheel for 40 years as it was left rusting in a barn is now worth £200,000.

The classic car had been abandoned by its elderly owner, who had given up hope of getting it back on the road.

But now a Kent-based specialist company has superbly restored the 1964 series one car, turning it from a corroding wreck into a magnificent example of the fixed head coupe, now worth a six-figure sum.

The work was carried out by E-Type UK of Hadlow, who are specialists in the marque.

Boss Marcus Holland says when his team were called to inspect the car, they were excited to confirm its heritage with matching chassis and engine numbers.

He described the restoration as a "real challenge", given that 40 years of inactivity had taken its toll on every single component of the car.

But even in its distressed state, they were prepared to pay the owner £50,000 for the vehicle because they knew its potential value when restored.

The E-Type Jaguar, once described by Enzo Ferrari as "the most beautiful car in the world", is one of the most sought-after classics, with demand pushing prices sky-high for the best examples.

When launched in 1961 it cost just £2,450 and was one of the fastest cars in the world, reportedly hitting 150mph on the M1 with a test driver at the wheel.

And it quickly became the favourite car of pop and sports stars like George Best.

So it wasn't long before E-Type UK's latest acquisition was eagerly snapped up by an enthusiast who commissioned its full restoration plus some desirable upgrades.

At first glance, the car looked to be in reasonable condition, but after an extensive sandblasting and a three-day strip-down, the extent of the damage caused by four decades of neglect, together with previous cheap repairs and the usual British dampness, revealed the scale of the coupe's dilapidation.

Engineers discovered many areas of the floor and the inner and outer sills were rusted beyond repair and replaced them completely while also strengthening the body elsewhere.

The body shell underwent many months of work to achieve the car's perfect lines and was finally re-finished in its stunning original opalescent silver blue paintwork.

Equally intensive was the re-trimming of the interior in oxblood red leather along with fresh chromework and headlight surrounds.

Engineers then turned their attention to the 265 bhp 3.8-litre XK6 engine, gearbox, suspension and brakes - rebuilding and enhancing all to 'fast road' specification asked for by its new owner.

It included a new five-speed gearbox for tighter shifts and more refined cruising, a new full stainless-steel sports exhaust and an aluminium radiator and header tank for enhanced cooling.

The result is a stunning and very capable car which will now provide many more miles of excitement.

Mr Holland said: "Customers come to us to make their dream car a reality, so we will take it apart piece-by-piece, clean and improve everything we can save and replace everything that we can’t with better-than-original quality.

"Not only are we delighted to have delivered our client a car they’ve always wanted, but we’re honoured to have played a part in keeping this piece of British motoring history on the road, and being used regularly, for many years to come."

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