Gary completes the restoration of the Corniche and embarks upon a complete rebuild of the convertible soft-top and headliner. Could this specialist job be one step too far? Should it have been left to the experts?
Cannot wait for the next one. This is how a video of this sort of work should be. No irritating Muzak, or smart arsed co presenter, playing at comedian, just a guy who knows what he is doing and explaining the stages viewed in a relaxed, quiet Liverpool accent. Superb, thank you, Gary.
Watching you working on the Rolls Royce to soothing music is very therapeutic. When I work on mine, the music in my head is more like rage against the machine!
My hat is off to you Gary, You took on one of the hardest jobs in car restoration. A job that makes even a time served professional think several times before undertaking and you did the job magnificently. You got all the lines of the seams and the rear three quarters perfectly in proportion. No one would think it anything other than factory original! What a good and worthy home that beauty found in you. I wish you many thousands of miles of wonderful wafting in that beautiful Rolls. Please tell me the XJS is your next project. As a child and teenager in the seventies I instantly fell in love with the shape of it and especially the rear flying buttresess which were very controversial at the time and then of course, it being the second Simon Templer car just cemented my love for it even more! I am really looking forward to the next episode and very much appreciate all the time and effort you put into making this. If you ever venture onto the continent in one of your cars and happen to be in Austria coffee and cake are on this fellow Brit!
I am VERY impressed ! I just discovered your channel and really the quality of your restauration is only equalled by the perfection of the video. Thank you so much !
In the United States, these Corniches were extremely popular among the very rich. What you didn't see here was many of them in the exterior color of black. Until this video, i don't think i've ever seen an left hand drive Corniche in black. To me that really sets your car apart from the rest. You really are a classic tradesman who can fix anything on these old British cars. I really enjoy your channel since it allows me a window into things that i can't do nor will never have in my possession.
Awe struck by the sheer talent of Garry. I'm calling this a BETTER job than "factory". How on earth he judged the correct amount of fabric to allow it to fold taunt is something only a master craftsman could accomplish. I salute you Gary. Bravo! (Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺)
This is well outside the ken of even the best mechanics. It’s art, not science. You are more than the sum of your parts mate! (That lacquer finish was worth the price of admission)
What you Are doing now looks much better! I can now see some passion in you for this car! I think it deserves it! When these Corniches were new, they cost as much as a 2 story house. Btw, I have a 1984 Corniche! Absolutely love it! Keep up the good work chap!
I very much appreciate anyone who sets about this type of task and gets it done with quiet determination and solving problems as they present themselves. Well done Gary. Presently I am restoring my late fathers' 83 Spur, carefully making up the sections of panel work that have been rusted away, rebuilding it all properly from new sheet steel, basic tools and developing skills as I go. Very satisfying it is and very worthwhile. Thanks Gary.
Unbelievable Gary! You attention to detail and craftsmanship is outstanding. That is an amazing job. There's a Bentley S1 local to me and the hood on that looks bloody terrible and I doubt the owner did it himself.
Well done! Tremendous job, on an absolute beauty of a car. I enjoyed the video very much, but looks like you enjoyed it too. Smiles all round. Look forward to more restoration videos, of fine cars.
As impressed watching you restore the ace in the Top Trump 'Cars' pack, as I was watching yer big un soundcheck in The International, 1987. You have an obsessive attention to detail just like Lee, who it's great to hear having fun making music again. Emotional. Subscribed.
Fantastic job on one of my favorite cars. Don't be fooled. He has a lot of mechanical experience and confidence. But with a lot of ability, and some patience, it can be pulled off.
The craftsmanship! Attention to detail. The craftsmanship! The materials. The craftsmanship! The bloody mindedness to get it right right. The craftsmanship! I’m blown away and I’d never fold this roof, it’s just too good to hide. I can’t image how this must feel to pilot.
Wonderful, stacks of talent and very well presented. Presented by a 'Scouser ' who doesn't think he's on Britain's Got Talent. I'm now a very happy subscriber, all the best ( and that is coming from the arch enemy, a Mancunian ! )
Lovely video of a craftsman who knows his subject and eloquently expresses his love for the marque, with thoughtful comment. Well done. Love the accent as well!
Plenty of other people have said this but the way you made the fabric roof was truly spectacular. There won’t be many home restorers who would tackle that job comfortably
Just discovered your channel Gary and am really enjoying it. Your Corniche was parked in the same row as my Jaguar XJR at the Arley show a few weeks ago, I got to appreciate in person what a stunning job you've made of it.... it's such a cool car. Getting the story of the cars and their previous owners is really interesting too, great videos!
Your greatest asset in these repairs is your endless patience. You don't let anything beat you but rather, methodically and intelligently weigh things up and then set about doing the job right with great finesse and getting fantastic results.
I've got a 99 SL500, some of the things I've replaced myself in no particular order, engine and transmission mounts , flex joints, door check straps valve cover gaskets, various trim pieces, all the roof hydraulic cylinders and a lot more but when I wanted a new canvas roof I took it to a shop, he was experienced but not too much with the SL even he had a bit of a hard time putting the canvas roof on and getting it to look perfect, what you did with this roof was absolutely stunning,
How lucky she was for you to save her and who could be so cruel to cause so much damage for such a beauty AMAZING CRAFTSMANSHIP I AM BLOWN AWAY WITH YOUR SKILLS GARY GOD BLESS YOU
Oh Gary - what an absolutely fantastic job you've made of the whole motor. The hood is an absolute masterpiece and must be so rewarding for you to look at as a finished job and know that you've done it yourself. The car is wonderful and so classy and a far cry from the state you bought it in. Dad and I are doing a 1974 XJ12L Jaguar (on carbs) and look forward to seeing you on the XJS - keep up the good work lad and hope to see in you in Broadway one of these days to compare motors :-)
That car is just beautiful; there is absolutely no other way to describe it. The restoration is perfect and such a credit to your ability and attention to detail. The way you present your fastidious workmanship is enjoyable to watch and commanding in its content. Thank you for taking the time to take us along on your journey with you 😊
Well done Gary (Very well executed) You could (if you would like), start a Craftsmanship class (for all ages but especially for those who have already retired & are bored stiff of their retirement life), which the Government should fund via The British Business Bank !
Loves the whole series. Amazing workmanship. As a Rolls-Royce owner myself not sure I’d tackle the restoration myself but your philosophy of anything is possible certainly makes me think. Wonderful
The first time I have ever clapped at the end of a RU-vid video, what a privilege to be allowed into his world, I actually get excited when the next instalment is released, thank you
what an outstanding video with superb craftmanship going into the retoration of a now stunning car. Huge respect to you Gary for having a go and acheiving such an amazing result. Please do keep producing these great videos coming.
Another great video! I love the detailed explanations of the work along the way. Then to finish it off with a ride is perfection. Can't wait for the next video.
What a skilled man you are, these cars are so undervalued compared to an E-Type I am fortunate to own a 1973 Mulliner Park Ward Corniche 2 Door Saloon in Bordeaux such an elegant car, she's beautiful too
2300 grit rub down on that bonnet! Followed by numerous cuts and bluffs! That's a first for me. I replaced the hood on my Sprite years ago. I'm in Litchfield County ct, and I ordered from Prestige Hoods in the UK. Much easier than a Roller, and I only made 1 mistake... Gorgeous Car Gary.
Not a project for one who lacks patience and an exacting eye. Helping a master upholsterer has given me a profound respect for anyone who attempts and successfully pulls off a tough job like this one. For the discerning eye, devil is literally in the details.
I used to deliver to the Rolls Royce factory in Crewe, I was able to walk around and watch the as the engineers lovingly assembled the cars and talk to them about the processes used. They told me that the cost of their cars came from what you couldn't see, not what you could and seeing the attention to details, such as tinning the engine waterways to ensure the antifreeze stayed the same colour between changes and areas of the brightwork that were exposed to high water volumes. Your attention to detail mimics theirs. Fantastic!
You make a good point: If you take your time, are willing to learn, you can do this. I bought a walking-foot sewing machine so I could teach myself how to sew leather binding onto carpet. I practiced a lot, made mistakes. But with time got good enough to re-do the carpets in both my Interceptor and Europa. Much more satisfying than just buying replacements..
