Transparency in every project.
While Black Horse Garage has been in business for 20 years, it can be said that the foundation was laid back in 1958 when Frank Buonanno rebuilt the engine on his father's Ferrari 212 Inter. From that point on, his life has been linked to both Classic Car Restoration, and Modern Car Maintenance.
His professional experience includes working with Modena Sports Cars of NYC, acting as representative for Lamborghini and working at the Collection in Miami. He has personally rebuilt more than 100 Ferrari V12s, and since 1990, has been the driving force behind Black Horse Garage where he's restored countless Jaguars.
Frank and his team at Black Horse work closely with Jaguar Owners and other enthusiasts to maintain these fabulous sports cars to the highest level. At any given time, you'll find a full-range of beautiful Jaguars being serviced in our 40,000 square-foot facility. From SS 100s to Saloons, Roadsters to XK8s, we are the trusted source for Jaguar maintenance, restoration, coachwork, sales and parts in the New York metropolitan area.
Jaguar Restoration
Restoring classic and vintage cars properly takes more than expert skill and authentic parts. It takes tireless dedication, research into every obscure detail, and a willingness to become an expert in the quirks of each unique car.
Black Horse Garages award-winning restoration services include:
Jaguar Routine and Preventative Maintenance
Classic and vintage cars have special needs, most of which cannot be met by dealerships or traditional service centers. By routinely performing full engines rebuilds and restorations, we gain tremendous insight into your car's systems. No matter the level of complexity, service and maintenance are carried out right every time.
By performing your classic's maintenance at Black Horse Garage, you will:
Services performed include:
The Walmsley Special and Black Horse Garage
In 1922 William Lyons and William Walmsley opened the Swallow Sidecar Company (which would later become Jaguar). By the late 20s and early 30s, they were doing brisk business selling their stylish sidecars and re-bodying other manufacturers' chassis. Working around the constraints of other manufacturers had its limits, and the company decided to build their own car in 1931. They called their first "real car" the S.S. 1. It was heralded a sensation by the motoring press - and its styling would go on to inspire Jaguars for decades to come.
As co-founder, William Walmsley commissioned Chassis # 247564 as a special S.S. 1 two seater for his personal use. The 20HP vehicle was constructed on the standard S.S. 1 chassis, and was the first Jaguar sports car ever constructed, built a year before the SS 90. The image you see below is the only known photo of this bespoke automobile, in front of Walmsley's Swallowdene residence circa the 1930s.
Now, 70-plus years later we're proud to be part of what the world's leading S.S. historian calls "one of the most important finds ever concerning the SS."
Brian S. Beni, a long-time Black Horse Garage customer and owner of the world's most comprehensive S.S. collection, has acquired this legendary automobile, and entrusted us to return it to its former magnificence. We've constructed a special room in our facility just for the restoration of this car and look forward to the important job ahead.
Our first task was the painstaking process of tracking down all known details, researching the life of this car in order to understand what it once was, and what it will be again. During our hands-on work, we've discovered that the Walmsley Special 2 Seater is bodied in 18-gauge aluminum. Fortunately, this coachwork has been extremely well preserved and will remain original and intact. Notable styling details include the stylish rear body and wing treatment as well as the fully louvered bonnet and apron.
More Jaguars in Our Photo Album
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