A CLASSIC car returned to its former glory thanks to Basingstoke College of Technology students is set to be sold to raise funds for local charities.

The vehicle – a Jaguar XJS Cabriolet – was donated to the college by Colin Craig who is secretary of The Rotary Club of Basingstoke.

Automotive technology students and staff have clearly done a fine job restoring the 1984 Jaguar, which is a limited edition model and was one of only three built sporting a Burberry trim.

It is hoped the car will be displayed at CarFest South in August at Laverstoke Park Farm, in Overton.

Mr Craig who previously owned the Jag said he believed the cars were originally used by the directors of the luxury fashion house and were used for marketing purposes.

Now the car is in the safe hands of City Motor Holdings at its Autoplaza Basingstoke site, just off the Houndmills roundabout, where it will eventually be sold.

Mr Craig explained that one of the objectives of the restoration project was to raise funds for charity – Spotlight UK, Riding for the Disabled, Homestart North West Hampshire and Basingstoke Mencap.

He said: “It also gave the students an opportunity to showcase their skills in a manner that benefits the community by demonstrating excellence in vehicle restoration.

“I bought the car in 1997 after I spotted it in a car dealership in London.

“At the time I wanted a two seater car and something a bit different – and as you can see it’s distinctive.

“I used it until 2008, but after that I just kept it in my garage where it was left a little unloved”

Impressed with BCoT’s restoration project, Mr Craig said: “They’ve done a great job fixing all the mechanicals and breaks.

“This wouldn’t have happened without their hands-on involvement.

Mr Craig also praised Spray Tech based in Andwell near Hook.

“They did a cracking job with the bodywork bringing it back to its original nice and lustrous finish.”

Grateful for the opportunity to restore the car, BCoT principal Anthony Bravo said: “When it arrived it was rust-ridden and in need of extensive repairs and refurbishment to make it roadworthy again.

“The team worked tirelessly and with constant determination to restore the Jaguar and I am particularly proud of Automotive technician Adam Hayes who lead the project.

“This has also been a fantastic opportunity for our students to work on a classic car and see how the systems worked when they were built in 1980s. They were able to get really involved in all aspects of the renovation, from replacing the bumper to changing the ignition leads and distributor caps.

“Most importantly they were able to own this project from beginning to end and the experience has been invaluable.” City Motor Holdings managing director Steve Hemlock, “We are hoping to display the car at CarFest South and then the car will be put up for sale in our prestige showroom. “At the moment we are trying to identify the cars true value, so we haven’t got a for sale price at the moment.

“The car is so original that it will take us a week or two to ascertain its true value.”