Jaguar C Types?

[Le Mans Visitor]

Not sure if it's relevant but on the original factory cars the diff isn't central. It's offset slightly to allow for the drivers seat.

[Cedric's Dad]

The axle is off a Mk11 jaguar and is central in the car, it is the body that is not even on either side?

[d.wilde]

Proteus replica are larger than originals because they uses Mk2 rear axle. If I'm right, real one uses MkVII modified. By the way, I love the Proteus replicas from the golden era, between 1985 - 1999. In my opinion, if not completely accurate, they are the best before the tool room copies.

Edited by d.wilde on Tuesday 19th January 22:44

[lowdrag]

If you talk Proteus, then a rather rare all alloy Proteus D-type is shortly coming on the market.

[Cedric's Dad]

Maybe Jim Marland is the only one who knows!
Is he still around?

[d.wilde]

Gavin King from Concours Sport Car Restoration Australia just lunch his new website of high end Jaguar replicas. Some nice stuff.

http://jaguarrecreations.com

Edited by d.wilde on Friday 17th June 21:30

[Le Mans Visitor]

Dad has just collected his C Type Replica after having it's body made by Shapecraft in Northampton. Must be said, it is stunning and will be a real shame to paint it.

[d.wilde]

Amazing, what about under the skin ?

[thegreenhell]

There's a nice little video review of the new Proteus 'production' C-type here by Evo's Henry Catchpole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKA1PXkeLsc

[lowebird]

Baypond,

I'm sorry I'm a bit late in entering into this thread but I have only just found it and I couldn't believe that I saw your car.
I road tested this very car and agreed to buy it at the NEC but for reasons I won't go into, the sale fell through.
I had one of Rogers SS100's at the time which I sold to buy an E Type which has now also gone. I have now got a works built aluminium C Type in build for delivery sometime early next year and I can't wait. In my humble opinion, having looked at a lot of replicas, I think the Suffolk is the best of the bunch ,more of a "recreation" than a replica. The dimensions are spot on, the rear end with it's narrow Mk2 axle is far better than the IRS that everyone else uses. I have specified a 3.4 ltr engine as, not only is it correct, but I remember driving your car and how smooth it was.

[jith]

lowebird said:

Baypond,

I'm sorry I'm a bit late in entering into this thread but I have only just found it and I couldn't believe that I saw your car.
I road tested this very car and agreed to buy it at the NEC but for reasons I won't go into, the sale fell through.
I had one of Rogers SS100's at the time which I sold to buy an E Type which has now also gone. I have now got a works built aluminium C Type in build for delivery sometime early next year and I can't wait. In my humble opinion, having looked at a lot of replicas, I think the Suffolk is the best of the bunch ,more of a "recreation" than a replica. The dimensions are spot on, the rear end with it's narrow Mk2 axle is far better than the IRS that everyone else uses. I have specified a 3.4 ltr engine as, not only is it correct, but I remember driving your car and how smooth it was.

A wee question for you lowebird; why do you think the narrow, live rear axle is superior to IRS, other than of course, the originality aspect?

I concur with you about the 3.4 being the superior engine; That has been my opinion from the very first Jag I worked on over 40 years ago!

J

[lowebird]

Sorry, I didn't superior in a mechanical way, it probably isn't, I meant in a historical way. The first thing all the rivet counters used to look at on my Suffolk SS100 was the rear suspension then go away muttering to themselves thereby missing the whole point of a replica which, for me at least, is the ability to enjoy most of a car which I couldn't afford as a real one. In the case of the C Type this would be at least a couple of million even if you could find one.

[jith]

lowebird said:

Sorry, I didn't superior in a mechanical way, it probably isn't, I meant in a historical way. The first thing all the rivet counters used to look at on my Suffolk SS100 was the rear suspension then go away muttering to themselves thereby missing the whole point of a replica which, for me at least, is the ability to enjoy most of a car which I couldn't afford as a real one. In the case of the C Type this would be at least a couple of million even if you could find one.

I only asked because the IRS system really does give much better ride quality and handling than a live axle, but obviously is nothing like the original.

We are in agreement about the C Type. If my lottery ticket comes up that would be my only historic car for the summer. I think the whole package is just spot on and they are fantastic to drive and much more beautiful then the D.

J

[lowdrag]

I've driven a live axle C-type and have an XKSS with IRS and I agree with jith on that. One thing I didn't like about the C-type was the over-centre Porker/VW pedal layout. But for touring the C-type wins hands down over a D-type. At least you can get squash bags in the doors!

[lowebird]

Lowdrag,

I take your point about the pedal layout & operation but after years of driving Morgans, I just didn't notice it.
The XKSS, what is your opinion as an owner? I ask as a mate of mine really wants one but in aluminium and can't find one at a sensible price.
Funny you should mention stuffing things in the C type doors, I was kind of hoping that that would solve our touring needs, glad to read it works

[lowdrag]

The XKSS is fine for touring but one can't really call it a comfortable car. Like the C & D, all you have is a thin squab on the floor but then we suffer for our pleasures, don't we! A C, D & XKSS are very Noisy and tiring unless it is a long nose D with rear exiting exhausts, and in the XKSS the passenger's legs get fried on a long run. These are race cars, not built for comfort. Getting an alloy XKSS leaves about one make, Lynx, and the prices are well over £300,000 now for an original but they are still making new ones for £275,000. A Crazy world we live in.

[lowebird]

lowdrag,

In my excitement in finding a whole section of posts about C Types, I missed the point that you would seem to be the font of knowledge on C Types.
I will bow to your knowledge but, because I like them and it is after all my car, I am going to have the C Type badges fitted to my engine.
I know it will be a recreation of a non existent car (xkc003) so a little bit of "fluff" wont matter. Are you aware of any meets that other owners go to in the season? It would be nice to share the experience with other people and perhaps learn something.
I am based in Norwich so am reasonably close to Roger & Fraser at Suffolk who are building the car for me.

[dinkel]

A C-type is a gorgeous thing. Nuff Jag parts around to built a good one.


Portimao 2010


Spa 6 Hours meeting 2013


Will Arif rounding La Source in 2010

How original should one be? I can only guess all C-types are different.

I must say the lighter colours do look gorgeous on a C. Anyone know the colour on Arif's car?

IMO a V8 is a big nono. Jag 4.2 and why not?

[lowdrag]

lowebird said:

lowdrag,

In my excitement in finding a whole section of posts about C Types, I missed the point that you would seem to be the font of knowledge on C Types.
I will bow to your knowledge but, because I like them and it is after all my car, I am going to have the C Type badges fitted to my engine.
I know it will be a recreation of a non existent car (xkc003) so a little bit of "fluff" wont matter. Are you aware of any meets that other owners go to in the season? It would be nice to share the experience with other people and perhaps learn something.
I am based in Norwich so am reasonably close to Roger & Fraser at Suffolk who are building the car for me.

Just back from seeing some lovely cars in the UK so sorry for the delay. The JDC run a track day at Goodwood in May and a hill climb at Prescott in June and there are race series too, but that is up to you to decide. Prescott is fun and I was there with the XKSS this year:-



You'll note the rear ballast! For those who remember there was also this which I took to the Revival and Festival but this photo is at Silverstone.:-



Then there were these in the day, both Lynx:-



I've been involved in replicas for a few years, so any questions fire away.



All good fun

Edited by lowdrag on Wednesday 26th October 18:16

[lowebird]

lowdrag,

Thanks for the reply and the photos, brilliant looking cars. I went to have a look at progress on my C Type on Wednesday and I have to say that the team at Suffolk are making a beautiful job of it, so good in fact that it almost seems a shame to put the body on ( which is currently at Shapecraft being finished off)
I will need to be patient though as the car will not be finished until next spring.