Jaguar 'C Type' head - value?
Discussion
Ah, the 'C' type head chestnut surfaces again! You will hear all sorts of stories now but what I believe to be the truth, and what we used to tell our customers when I was at Lynx, is this. Jaguar wanted to fit larger valves to the works XK engines but there was very little spare metal around the valves to cut into. An order was issued to the foundry to cast 30 new heads with more metal to allow bigger valves to be fitted but somewhere along the way the 30 became 300. In the event the remaining 270 were used up on production cars, some with bigger valves fitted I believe. So, does it signify that this head was ever on a C Type, no. Is it fantastically rare, no. Is it extraordinarily valuable, well no but it does have some extra value simply because it looks great on the engine. What's it worth, no idea, what the buyer is prepared to pay I guess.
I once took a call from someone who said he had an original wide angle head for sale. We had a little question and answer and what he said suggested that this was indeed that rare thing so we met in a motorway service - and it was just what he said. I paid him £17,500 on the spot and before the end of the week we had sold it to one of our customers. That was thirty odd years ago so what it would be worth now I shudder to think!
I once took a call from someone who said he had an original wide angle head for sale. We had a little question and answer and what he said suggested that this was indeed that rare thing so we met in a motorway service - and it was just what he said. I paid him £17,500 on the spot and before the end of the week we had sold it to one of our customers. That was thirty odd years ago so what it would be worth now I shudder to think!
They look interesting Tony. Were there any of the shallow dry sump bottom covers there, that would add to the interest but vented cam covers is a good start! Hard to tell from the photos but the ports on the cylinder head look as if they have been fettled too. Would it be worth a trip to see if they are still there and, if so, buyable...…………..? What is the casting on top of the left hand block by the way, is it the front cover? And sandcast SUs, they are worth something now, a little treasure trove potentially!!
Edited by Mike-tf3n0 on Friday 26th April 13:33
The F1 specialist manufacturer here did a run of lightweight blocks for a gentleman now resident in Belgium, but to stop the warping he had strengthening ribs cast on them. Thrown out by the FIA and so were mouldering on the shelf. And yes, the sumps were there. Along with a few of his cars of course. Note the dismantled GT40 on the right and my Lynx in the middle. His Ecurie Ecosse D-type was away being painted at the time.
Does he know Fred Fairman, if not he should. Fred is THE world authority on Lotus 6s and the leading restorer for them. His workmanship is utterly peerless, he used to admire Lynx stuff and equally we used to admire his stuff. He, and his sons, are still working and we are still very much in touch, I will make the intros if your man is interested.
Beg pardon, got carried away
XK cylinder heads seem to go, at a quick glance, from £200 - £300 for those needing complete refurb up to £1500 £2000 for those that have been done and are ready to fit. The big question, and one I do not know the answer to, is how much of a premium does the 'C' casting mark command. It shows that it is an early head which I feel sure would make it attractive to owners of early cars but then what is the condition, does it need a refurb? I think you will have to be the judge in this case because it depends on how much the potential buyer is prepared to pay to reunite this head with this car.
XK cylinder heads seem to go, at a quick glance, from £200 - £300 for those needing complete refurb up to £1500 £2000 for those that have been done and are ready to fit. The big question, and one I do not know the answer to, is how much of a premium does the 'C' casting mark command. It shows that it is an early head which I feel sure would make it attractive to owners of early cars but then what is the condition, does it need a refurb? I think you will have to be the judge in this case because it depends on how much the potential buyer is prepared to pay to reunite this head with this car.
Mike-tf3n0 said:
Beg pardon, got carried away
XK cylinder heads seem to go, at a quick glance, from £200 - £300 for those needing complete refurb up to £1500 £2000 for those that have been done and are ready to fit. The big question, and one I do not know the answer to, is how much of a premium does the 'C' casting mark command. It shows that it is an early head which I feel sure would make it attractive to owners of early cars but then what is the condition, does it need a refurb? I think you will have to be the judge in this case because it depends on how much the potential buyer is prepared to pay to reunite this head with this car.
Good advice, thanks Mike..XK cylinder heads seem to go, at a quick glance, from £200 - £300 for those needing complete refurb up to £1500 £2000 for those that have been done and are ready to fit. The big question, and one I do not know the answer to, is how much of a premium does the 'C' casting mark command. It shows that it is an early head which I feel sure would make it attractive to owners of early cars but then what is the condition, does it need a refurb? I think you will have to be the judge in this case because it depends on how much the potential buyer is prepared to pay to reunite this head with this car.
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