Our old English white Jaguar 240 has a very different character from the silver 1964 Jaguar 3.4 litre saloon on our fleet. Just as attractive to look at and as special to be in as any Jaguar Mark Two, this Coventry cat is a real driver's car and the creamy power of the engine and the super sweet gearbox action make driving this particular classic Jag a truly joyful experience.

This 1969 Jaguar 240 is the 300th from last Mk II bodied saloon ever made and it was used continuously by its original owner, a Cheshire farmer, from first registration in April of that year until summer 2005. When we bought the car it had never been restored. It drove beautifully but much work needed to be done before it would be ready to join the Summer Wine Classics fleet.

After getting to know the car by using it for a few weeks, we carried out a thorough programme of refurbishment. The body was stripped back to a bare shell and new sections were made to replace corroded parts of the bodywork. These were then expertly welded and leaded into place before the vehicle was repainted to a very high standard in its original factory colour. Meanwhile the interior of the car was completely dismantled, its red leather upholstery was renewed and the trademark Jaguar walnut fascia was extensively refurbished. Finally, the car was carefully rebuilt, serviced and mechanically overhauled. Then, after several hundred test miles (a tough job, but someone had to do it!) it has now embarked on another 36 years' service!