Lotus Cars franchisee Hoffmann’s of Henley has acquired Jaguar C-Type sports car builder Proteus Sports & Racing Cars.

The retailer, based on Newton Road, Henley-on-Thames is well-known for operating a classic car maintenance, restoration and sales business alongside its Lotus Cars new car showroom but has now added the small-scale manufacturing business to its portfolio.

Proteus, which builds bespoke, aluminium-bodied, modern re-interpretation of the classic Jaguar C-Type sports car, was owned by Nigel Forsyth until he died last year and since then his wife Linda and Hofmann’s dealer principal Chris Randall have been working together to continue producing the car.

Randall said: “I was lucky to have spent several years working alongside Nigel while assembling and distributing his wonderful cars. Nigel was a great businessman and friend and during our time working together we made many major improvements to the car.

“The business has never been in a better position to move forward, with a very well-resolved product and this deal gives us solidarity for a bright future.

“I can’t thank the team at Proteus enough for all their help during the transition.

“Of course this beautiful car will continue to be assembled at our premises in Henley.”

Proteus’ official website describes how its C-Types are built around an “exquisite Coventry built aluminium body”, utilising ‘super formed’ panels with a rebuilt period Jaguar engine, modern brakes, modern adjustable suspension and robust engine management.

It adds: “The C-Type received a near perfect 4.5 stars during review by EVO magazine who described the car as ‘timelessly gorgeous’ whilst comparing it to similarly exclusive products by Singer Porsche and Eagle E-Types.”