1961 Jaguar E type convertible restoration

[Paracetamol]

lowdrag said:

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

Thanks. Yes. I am going for painted wires with period tyres and also keeping the chromes with modern radials as I love the looks. Will swap for time to time to remind me why I love the chromes

RH Classics are being very selective over where they buy panels etc. From experience they have seen problems from some of the 'household' names in terms of quality etc. This week they will be using a special camera to ascertain the condition of the frames. They did mention a particular source for the frames.

Also I have asked them to update things like the generator and ignition system to modern types but with retention of old casings. I am also keen to try the new exhaust from Jaguar Heritage.

[parabolica]

Paracetamol said:

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

went a bit mad and ordered 4...

[lowdrag]

Paracetamol said:

Thanks. Yes. I am going for painted wires with period tyres and also keeping the chromes with modern radials as I love the looks. Will swap for time to time to remind me why I love the chromes

RH Classics are being very selective over where they buy panels etc. From experience they have seen problems from some of the 'household' names in terms of quality etc. This week they will be using a special camera to ascertain the condition of the frames. They did mention a particular source for the frames.

Also I have asked them to update things like the generator and ignition system to modern types but with retention of old casings. I am also keen to try the new exhaust from Jaguar Heritage.

Going the right way for a reliable useable car then☺ Coopercraft or Zeus brakes surely, E-type Fabs A-frame, 123 dizzy,new "Dynatator" which can use the existing dynamo case. It'll have the correct 1961 on it then. But one think you probably haven't thought about is the rear axle ratio. Like mine, your's will have a 3.31 early ratio which gives 70 mph at 3000 rpm. I'd suggest a change to a 3.07 which will give more relaxed cruising. I assume you'll go negative earth?

[Paracetamol]

lowdrag said:

Going the right way for a reliable useable car then? Coopercraft or Zeus brakes surely, E-type Fabs A-frame, 123 dizzy,new "Dynatator" which can use the existing dynamo case. It'll have the correct 1961 on it then. But one think you probably haven't thought about is the rear axle ratio. Like mine, your's will have a 3.31 early ratio which gives 70 mph at 3000 rpm. I'd suggest a change to a 3.07 which will give more relaxed cruising. I assume you'll go negative earth?

The car was already modified and drove very well before the restoration.

Its already negative earth with an alternator. I will keep it the same but use a more discreet alternator that fits in a Dyno body

It has 4.2 brakes (callipers and master cyl) but I want to replace the master cyl back to 3.8. RH View is that if its well set up then the originals are fine..but we can change callipers if I am not happy.

Rear Axle..thats a tough one. I really don't know what my motoring will be with the car. How big a job is it to convert the axle. I think its already been stripped and rebuilt but

[triple5]

Great project, well done so far.

[lowdrag]

To change the rear axle isn't a particularly onerous job at all. If the car isn't going to go far then it doesn't matter, but on a journey cruising at 80 mph it makes for a more relaxing journey. I've driven both, and prefer the 3.07. But if you do, keep the 3.31 - they are getting hard to find since they are favoured by the racing fraternity. For the rest, it seems you have a great usable car. What colour is she going to be?

[Paracetamol]

Here is the certificate which shows the original colour and the one to which I am staying..

[lowdrag]

Here you are then. This was mine before the rewbuild in opalescent silver bue. It is a lovely colour.

[Mr Tidy]

Fantastic project OP!

Thanks for sharing it with us - bookmarked!

[Paracetamol]

The main shell is almost now complete...lovely to see lead loading techniques being used (see pic 4).frames and bonnet next..

[5harp3y]

Thanks for sharing, look forward to updates.

[Paracetamol]

Good news..the restorers just checked the front frames with their camera and found them to be in perfect order from the inside. Their preference is to keep them for the sake of originality and also knowing that they fit to the bonnet etc...

[tobinen]

Lovely car. I look forward to reading its progress

[Funk]

Same! Love threads like this!

[tumble dryer]

Funk said:

Same! Love threads like this!

yep.

[coopedup]

Brilliant thread!!

[Paracetamol]

Thanks!

The updates from the garage have been a little slow...which is a relief given that there is usually large bill attached.

[eltax91]

I'm in!!

[Paracetamol]

In case you wondered how the rear suspension and brakes of an E Type work....5k worth of parts and labour (yikes!)

[Paracetamol]

The bonnet had more 'interesting repairs'...RH and the team will set about putting these right..Again, what is good news is the lovely fit we are getting on the panels even before any major works..