Last seen at the NEC in November 2000

[Judge]

Got her out at last. Here she is after 12 years in a Carcoon. And yes, she's still just as shiny underneath. (sorry about picture quality, taken on phone)

[DaisyMayFozz]

A beauty!

[santadawes]

WOW... What a Jem.......

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Looking great, one day my 54 will hopefully look something like that!

[irmscher]

Why has she spent the last twelve years in a carcoon ? lovely car

[Judge]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Irmscher - I didn't intend to leave her in the Carcoon, but as I became Chief Concours Judge, and obviously couldn't show my own car, it just happened.

PS After recommissioning I am going to sell her.

[irmscher]

It proves how good the carcoons are i might invest in one

[Judge]

I have just found her NEC Concours Final mark sheet when she achieved 953 points out of 1000.

[brucek]

Must have been the poor condition number plate that cost you the 50-odd marks

Seriously though - an exemplary car and, if that's what it looks like after 12 years in a carcoon I'd be having a word with the company that makes them - a few pennies to be made in endorsements I would imagine. Are you going to do another car to the same standard?

[Judge]

I wondered if it was that plate......

It might surprise some people to know that in fact the car is almost original. I still remember some peoples amazement when looking under the rear wheel arches and seeing the original spotwelds for example. And the doors still have that lovely unmollested 'clunk' when they are closed.

[minor65]

Very jealous, please don't tell me when the car is for sale, as it would be too much for me to think about !!

[brucek]

Always loved the weight of the earlier doors - I think these carried on until the late 50's as my '59 convertible has them. Just sound 'right' somehow, later ones were lighter and more 'tinny'. It really is a unique car and amazing that it is so completely original.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

A very nice car indeed, and demonstrates the quality of the Carcoon, but I believe a car is there to be used, not laid up as a showpiece. It won't last forever, whatever the condition of it, and everything will be well out of adjustment/seized up after such a long time in storage.

Crude oil isn't exactly going to become more plentiful, so I use my splitscreen daily whilst I still can. No point having a car if you ain't gonna use it.

Having said that, a car this good needs to be preserved pretty much 'as is' because original cars like this don't come around often. How many miles has it done?

[Judge]

No point having a car if you ain't gonna use it.

Hence my reason for selling it. In the meantime I shall continue to use my modified convertible, and of course my very original, but used, 'OJO'.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Glad to hear it. She certainly is a beauty and anyone would be highly conscious of taking it out in case it rains, gets chipped etc. It still strikes me though that you never see as many old cars around as you used to, which is a great shame.