E-type déjà vu. The second rebuild

[Le Mans Visitor]

That's great progress Lee has made.

The reason for asking if you had any pictures of the car in 'gunmetal' is that when I popped in to see Lee last week (to see how progress was with Dad's XK) we noticed there is no evidence of the old colour anywhere on the car.

[lowdrag]

She was completely bare-metalled in 1988 and there were traces then, plus traces of red. Anyway, she'll be gunmetal in a month or four!

Edited by lowdrag on Tuesday 29th October 13:48

[Lowtimer]

This seems to be proving that you picked just about the optimum time to do the rebuild.

There's enough to do that it will be massively better when you get it back. But in the places where it's started to go, it's not gone very far so all the sheet repairs are relatively small and non-problematical. I think you've hit the sweet spot. Very satisfying for you to know that you are securing the future of the car in the best possible way - I bet you're glad to have your judgement confirmed.

[lowdrag]

Yes, there is that slight feeling of patting myself on the back I guess. It is costing, but not as much as if she had been left to rot further. One interesting thing I've learned recently is that the latest Triplex screens won't fit because they are half an inch too wide, so if anyone is changing their screen and is puzzled look no further for the reason. There are other makes out there. Here are a couple of photos of the carbs and parts after ultrasonic cleaning:-

Edited by lowdrag on Wednesday 30th October 09:06

[lowdrag]

Interesting photo that seems to prove she was needing attention. I'll be interested to see what the inside of the engine looks like:-



A heartening photo of the rebuilt carburettors and manifold;-

[LordBretSinclair]

Love those triple SUs Tony - so good to see the original brass top fittings rather than the later horrible plastic bits. Keep the photos coming

[RichB]

LordBretSinclair said:

Love those triple SUs Tony - so good to see the original brass top fittings rather than the later horrible plastic bits. Keep the photos coming

Nice, I'm looking to fit that set-up on my Aston but unfortunately they painted them all black (A hang over from Bentley)

[lowdrag]

No one's commented on the first picture then?

Now my chassis number is 152RHD and I spotted 152LHD for sale. I was curious as to the price, but I find to my horror that I need to talk to my insurer. My car is insured for £40,000; 152LHD is for sale at £250,000. it's on the internet here:-

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C447560#

And they say they are "serious" about the price too.

[Candellara]

lowdrag said:

No one's commented on the first picture then?

Now my chassis number is 152RHD and I spotted 152LHD for sale. I was curious as to the price, but I find to my horror that I need to talk to my insurer. My car is insured for £40,000; 152LHD is for sale at £250,000. it's on the internet here:-

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C447560#

And they say they are "serious" about the price too.

I can believe that, and it'll probably sell at that money, such is the market at the moment

[VetteG]

"but I find to my horror that I need to talk to my insurer. My car is insured for £40,000; 152LHD is for sale at £250,000."

But a nice problem to have, it makes the cost of the rebuild a lot easier to justify as well!

G

[Astacus]

lowdrag said:

Ouch, what "was" that?

[lowdrag]

Just a stub axle about to part company with the car and leave me without a wheel and brakes. Nothing serious at all

[Hooli]

lowdrag said:

Just a stub axle about to part company with the car and leave me without a wheel and brakes. Nothing serious at all

Looks fine to me I've seen worse on 'professional rebuilds' in the past (motorbikes admittedly).

[Coco H]

This is inspiring. Mine is starting to need the same. The trouble is she runs well but is getting a little tatty.

[lowdrag]

As you can see above, it is amazing what is hidden under what seems like good paint. I came across this photo today of the last rebuild in 1987:-

Edited by lowdrag on Wednesday 6th November 17:36

[Le Mans Visitor]

lowdrag said:

A heartening photo of the rebuilt carburettors and manifold;-

I popped up to see Lee last week and these carbs are stunning.

I am really looking forward to seeing this project unfold.


Below are 2 pictures of a Series 3, V12 E Type Lee recently completed a nut and bolt rebuild on..





Amazing

Dave

[lowdrag]

While awaiting the new driver's door so Lee can finish the body alignment etc., he has been getting on with the "fiddly bits" of a restoration, the parts that are relatively small sometimes but no less important. However, he started to strip the bonnet then decided it should be sandblasted and a couple of pin holes were found, so just as well. Since this was a replacement bonnet 25 years ago it doesn't have the inset louvres and I've taken the decision to return it to the state it would have been when "born", so new inset louvres have been ordered. Anyway, here are a few photos of the refurbishments:-

Bright shiny dynamo



Buckets repainted silver. This car is just outside the first series which had the body colour buckets.



Steering rack as new



Header tank. they don't rot since they are brass:-



Finally, radiator, cowl and header tank. Is it me or does the radiator seem to have a very self-satisfied smile on its face?



These are just a few of the under-bonnet refurbishments. you then have to consider the inside, the rear suspension all the chrome that is away, the suspension that is being powder coated. A restoration is truly an iceberg in this respect. More anon.

Edited by lowdrag on Friday 15th November 06:42

[RDMcG]

This is a simply superb thread. Keep it coming.

[lowdrag]

Thanks for that. I am getting to the opinion that people no longer want to follow this, so perhaps I'll post when the car is more or less finished. I can then post lot of photos at the end

[Chad speed]

lowdrag said:

Thanks for that. I am getting to the opinion that people no longer want to follow this, so perhaps I'll post when the car is more or less finished. I can then post lot of photos at the end

Lowdrag are you serious? many are watching with enthusiasm and a little envy. For me its a bit of insperation to get on with my project and forget the banana skins of life.
Please keep posting!
Chad