1952 "droop snoot" C type

[jagman21]

lowdrag said:

Here we go again! One part of a car here, one there, another somewhere else and then we have three cars with the same chassis number. Since the original car was never sold by Jaguar there will always be some doubts over its credibility as is reflected in the price but IMHO the glass fibre body CAN NEVER BE a real D type on a correct chassis. The construction of a D type is half monocoque and half chassis unlike an E type which is all monocoque and completely different to a C type which was full chassis. They must have severely modified and strengthened the original if it had a full glass fibre monocoque or else the car would have simply fallen to pieces. More likely part of the car was alloy and part glass. After all these years it is most unlikely that the new car would ever be considered the "real" XKD 544 becausae the other car has gained credence. Anyway, I'd love to know why you think the original glass fibre hull exists since according tom my records it was destroyed in the 1950's.Did you read it somewhere? I am intrigued.

I read about it in jaguar world monthly, ages ago, they had a picture too, ill have to dig it out

[a8hex]

It's probably the same picture as in "Developing the Legend" which is written by Paul Skilleter who is/was also the man behind Jaguar World.

[lowdrag]

An update on the project. Here's the latest photo. Taking shape!

[jagman21]

fab pic lowdrag, and excellent level of finish on the car, obviously the panel beater is an accomplished user of the english wheel.

I appreciate the fact that the car underneath is an original c type, with the additional trellis to modify the shape to suit. But why not just build a wooden body buck, surely that would be easier and much more conventional, plus hate to say you'd also have something to work with should it ever get damaged I'm sure it'll be raced many times.

regards jag

[lowdrag]

We discussed long and hard whether to build a wire or wooden buck and the conclusion was that since we are not planning a series of these cars (heavens forbid!) that a wire buck would be cheaper and just as good, as you can see. The buck belongs to me and will be kept should at any time the car have an accident. This is though just the beginning since we'll finish the buck off on my own car when it arrives at the bodyshop this week. As you can see, the middle of the buck isn't complete up to the driver and that will be done shortly so we'll have a full buck. They only used this car because it was there and enabled them to start work until my car arrived.

Edited by lowdrag on Wednesday 25th June 16:22

[a8hex]

It's such a nice idea

"Well we used a real C-Type as a forming buck, coz we just had one kicking around in the work shop"

It great to see the progress.
Cheers

[KerryStagmer]

Not to hijack this thread but I was directed to this thread by A8HEX

I'm rebuilding a Lea Francis car that was rebodied much like a C-type prior to 1953 in NY, USA. I'm trying to get a decent copy of the C-type chassis drawings for the basis of a new chassis. Is this something you might be willing to share? Car was hacked badly for use on the dragstrip and saved on its way to scrap in 1970 It was known as The Rumplestilskin.

Interestingly enough the same builder made a low drag version on an Aston around the same time.

my car circa 1953

[williamp]

That sound fascinating Kerry. Can you tell us some more? Is it a LeaF chassis and engine, or just engine? Have you got any picture of it today. What are you going to do with it once restored???(race/Goodwood/drive/admire...)

[a8hex]

Kerry posted more details on Jag-Lovers under the XK forum under the topic "Looking for C-Type Chassis drawings for my restoration"

if you go to http://forums.jag-lovers.org/index.php3 and scroll down to the XK forum you should find it.

I suggested he take a look at Lowdrags postings here to help with his project.

[lowdrag]

I've replied by PM direct so he should have all the info.

[KerryStagmer]

Thanks Lowdrag, I'll touch base with them.

the long tail Aston version by the same builder

[a8hex]

Hi Kerry,

Thanks for those pictures.

The lowdrag C-Types tails were a very different shape to this cars however. The best picture of the shape of the tail I know is to be found of page 116 of "Developing the Legend" the biography of Norman Dewis (Lowdrag probably has better pictures). It clearly shows the underside remaining pretty much flat and the back sloping down to meet it at a point, rather than them curving together.

[lowdrag]

Over 24ins longer than a standard C type:-



Edit: the chassis is the same though - it is just the skin that changes.

Edited by lowdrag on Wednesday 2nd July 15:59

[KerryStagmer]

I am fuzzy on this, are these the same cars that had the drooping front (52' team cars right?) I had never actually seen a clear pic of the rear before. It is quite different

Interestingly the last 'unfound' LT1 120 is stashed near my house unless the owner decided to sell. I havent talked to him in a couple years, is it still 'missing'?

[RW774]

Hi Low drag,how is the C going ?

[a8hex]

Shouldn't that be 774RW?

:-)

[lowdrag]

RW774 said:

Hi Low drag,how is the C going ?

Slowly sadly. The wheeling machine has a bent shaft so the alloy was coming out corrugated. A new shaft has been made and hopefully work can commence again. The rear end is almost finished and then they attack the bonnet. With any luck we are still on for Retromobile but if not then at Race Retro at Stoneleigh 13/15 March 2009. Incidentally, 774 RW was also on a C type remember, not just the Hawthorn D type.



Edit: incidentally I only found out recently that the correct name for the car is the Series 2 C type.

Edited by lowdrag on Friday 3rd October 07:03

[williamp]

Wowo great.I'm booking my tickets to stoneleigh now so I can see it!

[a8hex]

lowdrag said:

RW774 said:

Hi Low drag,how is the C going ?

---

8<-------------------
Incidentally, 774 RW was also on a C type remember, not just the Hawthorn D type.

Edit: incidentally I only found out recently that the correct name for the car is the Series 2 C type.

I just just knew I recognised the number.
I'm away from home so couldn't fully check it's history, but found the picture I took at XK60. Did you get any good pictures there?

I'm glad to here progress is happening again with your project. Is that WAS120 in the background? I saw some video on You Tube of the new owner driving around Goodwood.

Cheers
Ken

[jagman21]

lowdrag said:

RW774 said:

Hi Low drag,how is the C going ?

Slowly sadly. The wheeling machine has a bent shaft so the alloy was coming out corrugated. A new shaft has been made and hopefully work can commence again. The rear end is almost finished and then they attack the bonnet. With any luck we are still on for Retromobile but if not then at Race Retro at Stoneleigh 13/15 March 2009. Incidentally, 774 RW was also on a C type remember, not just the Hawthorn D type.



Edit: incidentally I only found out recently that the correct name for the car is the Series 2 C type.

Edited by lowdrag on Friday 3rd October 07:03

most good wheeling machine are thick cast iron, how was it bent??? They last forever and are immensly strong.