1961 Jaguar E type convertible restoration

[Paracetamol]

Back in 2012 I purchased a relatively rare Jaguar E type. Rare because it was built in Dec 61 a little before the factory had fully productionised the E type. This meant it has features such as welded in louvres in the bonnet (cars after the Christmas Holiday and factory strike had the lourves pressed in). It also has flat floors which continued a little while longer and other unique features.

The car was in New York most of its life and had a long term owner who sold it to me upon retirement. I live in Abu Dhabi in the UAE and imported the car from the USA to Abu Dhabi.The car had received some limited restoration and I drove it for a year but knew it would need a proper restoration. With prices rising it soon became justifiable to carry out a full nut and bolt resto.

Having visited and spoken to a number of specialists I decided upon using a small family concern in the UK called RH Classics. With a good reputation, a caring and responsive attitude and expertise in Jaguars I felt they were the perfect choice. In addition they understood what I wanted to achieve with the car. The word concours is used alot. I hope to achieve somewhere near that but not be afraid to use the car. For me preservation of as much factory material as possible, use of the best available panels for replacement and careful attention to unique 61 features and finally excellent panel fit mean everything..

Here are some pics upon acquisition..




Welded Louvres

Edited by Paracetamol on Sunday 5th March 06:06

Edited by Paracetamol on Friday 14th April 15:12

[Paracetamol]

I decided to undertake some exploratory work. Always aware the car was not a restored car but a daily driver I was not too surprised to find...

Edited by Paracetamol on Friday 21st October 19:20

[RDMcG]

Wonderful project….bookmarked!

[Paracetamol]

So off the car went from Abu Dhabi in the UAE..all the way to the UK..

Edited by Paracetamol on Friday 14th April 15:08

Strip down begins in the UK..April 2016

Edited by Paracetamol on Friday 14th April 15:10

Edited by Paracetamol on Friday 14th April 15:11

[Paracetamol]

Strip down continued

[Paracetamol]

Car goes for dipping to remove all paint etc...some "interesting" previous repairs..some people are wary of the dipping proccess but RH Classics stand by it

[Paracetamol]

Engine had been recenty rebuilt but swarf was left inside and picked up on the shells (Bloomin american mechanics!)..othewise the engine is in great shape.

Edited by Paracetamol on Friday 26th August 19:26

[Wacky Racer]

Bookmarked...

[Paracetamol]

Repairs begin to the floors and sills

[Paracetamol]

[Paracetamol]

Panel gaps and door fit already looking great (without any finishing as yet)..

[alec.e]

Following with interest, my dream is to do a E-Type restoration.

[Paracetamol]

The car had suffered a rear end shunt at some stage in its life



Expertly repaired this time!!

[Paracetamol]

And that's the story as at Aug 2016..Great progress for 4 months and expected to be completed in April 2017

[lowdrag]

Now are you going for a concours or a useable restoration? If the former there are a significant amount of parts you'll have a devil of a job to find.

[Paracetamol]

lowdrag said:

Now are you going for a concours or a useable restoration? If the former there are a significant amount of parts you'll have a devil of a job to find.

Good question. Somewhere in between. I have seen useable cars that have underseal and not great fit and finish. I want to to great finishes and perfect gaps and panel fit, etc but will not be too bothered if the rear number plate lamps are not marked 'Butler' or each spotweld is not exactly spaced. A number of the unique features such as metal insert steering wheel, clamps, marked bolts etc are still intact on the car. Even the radiator is the original aluminum finned type (though will not be used as its too old to take a risk with).

So no...I have no intention to enter it into a concours event etc but I do want it to be built to a better standard then it probably was when new..

[parabolica]

Good luck. Those photos make me want to re-watch A Car Is Reborn again, if only I could find it somewhere.

[Paracetamol]

parabolica said:

Good luck. Those photos make me want to re-watch A Car Is Reborn again, if only I could find it somewhere.

HA..great minds...I just bought a copy from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Car-Reborn-Jaguar-DVD/dp/...


Only 8 gbp...

Edited by Paracetamol on Saturday 27th August 14:09

[CABC]

Paracetamol said:

lowdrag said:

Now are you going for a concours or a useable restoration? If the former there are a significant amount of parts you'll have a devil of a job to find.

Good question. Somewhere in between. I have seen useable cars that have underseal and not great fit and finish. I want to to great finishes and perfect gaps and panel fit, etc but will not be too bothered if the rear number plate lamps are not marked 'Butler' or each spotweld is not exactly spaced. A number of the unique features such as metal insert steering wheel, clamps, marked bolts etc are still intact on the car. Even the radiator is the original aluminum finned type (though will not be used as its too old to take a risk with).

So no...I have no intention to enter it into a concours event etc but I do want it to be built to a better standard then it probably was when new..

good balance imo.
bookmarked!

[lowdrag]

Paracetamol said:

Good question. Somewhere in between. I have seen useable cars that have underseal and not great fit and finish. I want to to great finishes and perfect gaps and panel fit, etc but will not be too bothered if the rear number plate lamps are not marked 'Butler' or each spotweld is not exactly spaced. A number of the unique features such as metal insert steering wheel, clamps, marked bolts etc are still intact on the car. Even the radiator is the original aluminum finned type (though will not be used as its too old to take a risk with).

So no...I have no intention to enter it into a concours event etc but I do want it to be built to a better standard then it probably was when new..in

Good reply. I bought the finned radiator from Welsh at £800, far cheaper than in the UK. I would go for a Coolcat fan too, my engine was rebuilt superbly by VSE at not too expensive a price and I have a special paint underneath that looks the part but is stone chip resistant. I spent - sorry, wasted - money converting the radio to FM and it doesn't work properly at all. And so it goes. Could I suggest painted wires? Far more in keeping I feel. If I can be of help pm me.

ETA and for goodness's sake get your A-frames from Uryk. The only place to go.

Edited by lowdrag on Saturday 27th August 14:15