HOW LONG CAN A RESTORATION TAKE?
Published: 12 Nov 2025
Zoom with TRS at Donnington Late 70's
It's been a long time coming, but the Zoom prototype YKV260 is on the road to completion!
Neil bought the car in 1974 in a broken-down state but he had just exited his apprenticeship and was still an impecunious student, the prospect of a full restoration was out of the question especially as his TR2,TKR49 soaked up cash for running expenses.
The zoom was designed by Giovanni Michellotti and created in steel and aluminum by Vignale in Turin during 1959. It was one of several prototypes Michelotti designed, and Vignale created in the metal, at the same time as the Italia; the Zest being the car that resembles closest what would become the TR4
Soft Top Zoom in the foreground, Zest in the Background
The Zoom however is a much bigger car being 6" longer than aTR4. It would be easy to assume that this car was intended to be an upmarket Grand Touring car, fitting into the range as the Stag did with the TR6.
YKV259 Promotional Shot in 1959
The car moved to Somerset with Neil and Sue in 1979 but still didn't get much attention other than painting the chassis and putting bushes on it (quite the wrong way around to do things, as the bushes were all ruined by 2025! - early lesson learnt).
Zoom Chassis
Zoom Stored for Years
Bodywork repairs were undertaken spasmodically during the 80's and 90's, in the meantime parts were collected where passible, repair kits for the rear disc brakes for example. Making sub-assemblies such as heater, wipers, washers, window winders etc so they were ready to go, were also prepared. This carried on for decades until finally the body received its final push last year.
So now we fast forward to the present. The body is complete, and the next part of the program has started. Bear in mind that this car is oneof a kind, there were two made, a soft top version YKV259 is long gone, there are no reference points so painting the shell before assembly is out of the question. What's more practical, is to build the car up in bare metal to a running condition then take it to pieces and paint the shell, knowing it will all fit together. That's what Neil is up to now.
To be continued...
2025 Body Finished...
