1952 "droop snoot" C type

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RW774 said:

Tony are you at Goodwwod this weekend ?

No idea there was anything on Paul, so no and sadly my daughter has picked the weekend of the 17th September to come and visit with my grandson, so that buggers the Revival too. No, I reckon I'll be over for the New Year with the C-type for the usual Hartley Wintney run.

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cardigankid said:

lowdrag said:

No, I reckon I'll be over for the New Year with the C-type for the usual Hartley Wintney run.

Doesn't he make life sound delightful!

I don't mean to, but I believe my cars are for driving, not polishing. I sacrifice a lot for them and they are my life. I've driven in snow, ice, hail, rain and sun, from -12C upwards, to be at the Jan 1st meeting and wish that all would do so. I detest the polishers who only get their cars out to go to the pub in summer, and I quit the Ferrari Owners Club after the concours winner admitted he had changed his house so that the dining room became his showroom for the winter so he could polish it. Moreover, when the FOC introduced a minimum mileage between concours some even jacked up the rear of their cars and ran them indoors to accelerate the mileage so they were acceptable.

None of my cars, not even the new C-type, are concours nor ever will be; they are driven, and today I went to the bar for my coffee in the rain in the C-type. Skin is impermeable, and an alloy car won't rust, so I drive them as and when I can. This hobby isn't cheap, but I don't take wonderful holidays, don't eat at expensive restaurants, don't live the high life just so I can keep and enjoy my cars.

Here endeth the lesson. Would that all classic owners have the same spirit!

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Can't really remember it Ken, but there was one. It was also copied to an american site but the b***ard closed the site down and the whole thread was lost sadly. While posting, the car will be not at the Phoenix but a meeting in the New Forest (VSCC meet) on New Year's Day.

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Since I'm staying with your Dad, highly likely.

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Ah, this worry that seems to have started about "correct oils"! Let's take the E-type; 80,000 on the same engine, hill climbs, track days, fast touring, and all it has had chucked at it is any old 20/50 I can buy wherever and still it is in fine fettle with consumption at one pint per 3,000 miles.

The D-type; high compression, Venolia pistons, over 300bhp and while CKL recommend Valvoline I can't get it here so it exists on a diet of supermarket 20/50 and seems fine for it.

The C-type; once again, whatever comes to hand. Someone gave me recently a gallon of Castrol 20/50 which it is currently guzzling.

I think this business of which oil is rather overdone. The XK engine was invented before multigrade existed and is perfectly capable of using whatever modern oil you can find since it is considerably better, no matter which one, than the oils available in the day. So nip to your nearest Halfrauds or wherever and don't worry - most Jaguars consume oil at such a rate that an oil change is rarely necessary!

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barchetta_boy said:

Also there is an anti-wear component called ZDDP that is very important for my engine (Porsche 928 1979 alloy V8). Many modern oils have dramatically reduced the ZDDP content which is not good for the long-term health of the engine. Joel

Perhaps there's the difference. XK engines are older technology, iron block and not alloy. The head is alloy but as long as you keep the antifreeze level up you'll get no problems. Even with the alloy-block V12 though, the engines do not seem to have suffered with modern oils and are well known for being virtually indestructable.

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Yup, that was me and the car. Staying at Ashurst so we came mob handed with the Jaguars. Hope you liked it. Found it a great day out and hope to return next year with the D-type. We'll reserve a table next time though!

Edited by lowdrag on Sunday 2nd January 10:15

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Sorry to revive the thread now that the car is "old hat", but I am feeling rather chuffed today. I opened the letter box, and amidst all the crap was an impressive envelope from Goodwood. The C-type is invited to the Festival of Speed on 1/3 July. Once again, an invite that cannot be refused!

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Thank you all for your kind comments. The theme at the Festival this year is the evolution of the racing car, including those that were and those that were not a success. Mine will of course fall very neatly into the latter camp!

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Perhaps, if things come to pass, it be driven up the hill by an aged pensioner. I understand he's called Norman Dewis. Ever heard of him? Is he safe?

Edit; seriously, it would be a thrill and an honour were he to do so.

Edited by lowdrag on Sunday 3rd April 10:15