E-type déjà vu. The second rebuild

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RichB said:

Ah ha, I thought "Finesse it" was a bit like "Elbow Grease" that mythical substance that solves all issues on classics

This is what you need.

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Am I seeing "red", or is the world just rosy?

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Same man, and as for putting the boot in:-



Remember though, this is a kit, not individual trimming to measure. If you look at the BAS site their prices, compared to the concours trimmers (many of whom, by the way, I know well and have an enormous respect for) would charge me more and give a better result, but once again, this is a working car, not a concours one.

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A week or so down the line and here are the latest photos. I am just in awe of the shut lines;-

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Frustration!!! Has anyone tried finding speakers that will fit in the shallow space between thr trim and the gearbox? Two days of telephoning Alpine, Kenwood, car radio specialists; you name, I've called it. Because all the yoof of today won't do with less than 250 watt output the magnets have to be large and the slimmest speaker I could find was 42.5mm, about 10mm too thick. My old ones comprised of the cone and the outer frame, but they were no longer attached. I had googled in so many formats and was at the end of my tether when suddenly one search produced these:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251499050415

4" and - praise the lord! - but 34mm deep. This might be of use to some of you out there, no matter what make of car. Now the bloody windscreen. A look at CMC's web site and they proudly announce that they have had a batch of screens specially made. Well, they have, but the damned thing is over 1/2" too short. Now having been advised that the Triplex ones are too wide, a phone call revealed that the ONLY screen that seems to fit these days is available from SNG Barratt and is made in Switzerland. I was specifically told only to order this particular screen, so a quick call, credit card debited, and it's on its way.

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You are probably talking about Bob Smith and his son of RS Panels there. Still the finest bodywork people in the UK in my opinion.

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Ah, my bad. Probably Leaping Cats then. Well known for their panel work.

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No, just learning to text to the grandchildren........... But I appreci8 your worry.

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After three windscreens we are nearly there, but this is still not a screen that fits properly at all. In discussions with Barratt's who want to charge for the pleasure of taking away a non-fitting screen and delivering another. Anyway, she is looking better.

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Thanks for those comments. Shim, shim and shim again I suppose is the answer to the bonnet, but the door shut lines are the things that really make me smile.

Now to Barratts. I bought the current screen from them 27 years ago and the new one supplied is narrower. According to them it is Lee's fault and he has rebuilt the car wrong since "they've supplied loads and they all fit". If that is the cae then why for heaven's sake is the new screen narrower than the one they supplied 27 years back? Why do they supply two makes which are different sizes? And since the screen is not fit for purpose why will they not replace it free of charge? They have held me to ransom insisting I pay 50% of the new shipping price AND pay for the new screen before recrediting me with the price of the wrong'un when it is returned.

Answers on a postcard please.

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No, Lee has two screens there and both are the same size. It is the replacement that is out of step with the others.

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Drive it? Goodness gracious me - this is a work of art and not for use! It will be displayed proudly in the dining room and the table and chairs consigned to the garage.

Now the windscreen. Another one, Triplex this time, was delivered from Barratt's today and it fits perfectly. Now, given that they are aware that there is a difference in size between the two types of screen that they stock, something is smelling fishy somewhere. Or did Jaguar make two sizes of E-type in 1961? So, we've returned one to Barratt's and the other to CMC. I think that from now on things will move apace, but sadly not in time for me to pick up the car on the 15th when we arrive in the UK so I'll have to go back to the UK later to pick her up.

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Here are some photos of the two screen so you can decide for yourselves:-

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Well, we're in the home straight it seems. The new screen fits, I've paid Barratt's twice but they of course haven't recredited my card for the first one, the interior is finished and the chrome looks superb. The car has been driven a mile or so down to the road and back and seems fine, but now it is down to BAS to fit the hood, then Lee will do a shakedown of a few hundred miles, then I'll go over and spend a couple of days adding a few hundred more before coming back home. Note the original PL700 headlights.

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Isn't it always the case though David, that you get what you think is close and then silly things crop up? Anyway, the car is off to BAS on Thursday for the hood and hood bag to be made and after that it is fettling and running in. I expect to be able to see the car Saturday week when I am in the UK and pick her up between the practice say on the 1st and the race on the 14/15th June. I'll stay in the UK a day or so to add 500 miles, do an oil change, and ferry her back.

Here's the hood frame repainted and back on the car:-



And another shot of the interior.



I've even got my money back from Barratts! No wonder the sun is starting to shine. Now Coco, do you think I made a mistake and should rethink in penis red with black upholstery?

Edited by lowdrag on Wednesday 14th May 07:18

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Not really sunnier climes at Le Mans - it was 7C this morning. But when it gets hot, leather and metal get hot, which is why I always carry a couple of old towels in the car to cover the seats. Then I forget and put my forearm on top of the door - ouch! I've been in the Pyrenees in mid summer, Spain, south of France and Croatia Bosnia and all, and it gets hot everywhere! That's why I insist on cloth trim for my everyday car. And never, but never, get into a leather trimmed convertible in summer with shorts on!

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I'm back home after over 1,500 miles in 10 days in the UK, and have photos I'll put up later. Tried to tax the car on line and the DVLA site is down. Try again tomorrow. I am delighted with the car and the work done, and have arranged its first outing for the weekend after next on the 9th June. If you're going to run a car in properly, it seems to me that the Prescott hill climb is the right way to do it, so that's where she'll be!

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Here are a few of the hurried snaps I took when I saw the car. I really wasn't interested in detail photos, more to show you the shut lines and the overall condition of the car which I have to say I find marvellous. During my stay in the UK I visited two of the largest and most important classic restorers (photos anon under a new thread) and found their quality not really different but at double the price, part of which is easy to understand given their overheads and size.











I started the engine and listened carefully; it purred exactly as a good cat should with no rattles or "noises off", and given the state of the engine when it was dismantled it is a big thank you and hats off to VSE for such stunning craftsmanship. So, the saga is nearing its end, and I collect the car Friday 6th June and will give it a good few miles before Prescott on the Sunday. I am ruminating on another project already, but more of that anon. It may or may not come to pass.

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All S1 E-types are like that. This particular one has been on the car 27 years and really it can't melt - it's a glass lens and metal base.

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The hood is being finished tomorrow along with the hood bag and Lee collects the car from BAS on Tuesday. Then it's the MOT, tax and driving and fettling until I collect it on Friday week.