To convert or not to convert?

[lowdrag]

I've always wanted an XKSS, and indeed bought the second long nose Lynx to convert the short nose to one. Just couldn't bring myself to do it somehow, so sold the long nose to fund the C-type. Now I've still the hankering for one, and guess I always will have, so I'm now toying with the idea of selling the E-type after all these years to fund the conversion. A practical and neat solution since I'll have a car that can do track days and tour, given the luggage rack, hood and wipers (such luxury!). Would I regret it after? Would I actually like it given that anno domini is catching up and you need to be a limbo dancer to get into one with the hood up, plus you have to take the hood down to fill her up.

Now, should I or shouldn't I - that is the question. Am I foolish, or just being practical? Your input please.

[Doofus]

For what it's worth, I'm not a lover of the XKSS. It's always seemed too much of a compromise, to increase practicality in order drive sales, and I don't think the rework did anything for it aesthetically.

You can still tour in the e-type, of course, but then they're much less uncommon.

I have a feeling you'll go for the conversion, because I think you revel in the process ( ), so for that reason you should do it.

And you'll rarely see another, original or rep.

[VetteG]

Doofus said:

For what it's worth, I'm not a lover of the XKSS. It's always seemed too much of a compromise, to increase practicality in order drive sales, and I don't think the rework did anything for it aesthetically.

You can still tour in the e-type, of course, but then they're much less uncommon.

I have a feeling you'll go for the conversion, because I think you revel in the process ( ), so for that reason you should do it.

And you'll rarely see another, original or rep.

My thoughts exactly.

G

[b2hbm]

Hmm, from reading your post I think you might regret selling an E-type, especially if you've had it for some time. If you couldn't bring yourself to modify one replica into another replica, then to my mind swapping a genuine classic for even an ideal replica isn't something I'd be able to do either. (that's no disrespect to the Lynx's, they are magnificent cars)

But if you have an "XKSS itch" then I'd look very hard at other ways of funding one and get there somehow. Life is too short to be looking back from the pearly gates and thinking "I really wish I'd.... "

[na]

b2hbm said:

to my mind swapping a genuine classic for even an ideal replica isn't something I'd be able to do either. (that's no disrespect to the Lynx's, they are magnificent cars)

as (I think, I could be wrong) lowdrag has the opposite mindset to this I think the E-type should be sold to fund the conversion

lowdrag is very unusual and actually uses the cars so he not just look at them polished at shows he has the joy of driving them and see just the dash, bonnet and boot from the drivers seat as he enjoys the ride and journey

Yes got for it, life is very short and you're a long time dead

[braddo]

lowdrag said:

... a car that can do track days and tour, given the luggage rack, hood and wipers... you need to be a limbo dancer to get into one with the hood up...

Reminds me of an Elise

I think you should go for it. And if ever there was a practical reason for learning pilates, it's to maintain flexibility and strength for getting in and out of sports cars

(that is a serious point, by the way - pilates exercises from a suitably experienced physio are an excellent way of keeping flexibility and strength in the back in particular)

[mph]

Own up.

You've already decided to do it haven't you !

[2slo]

If you do sell the E type, make sure you retrieve the cat first!

[Alfachick]

Are you sure you want to sell the E Type after having it so long and going so many places in it?

Is there any other way you could fund the conversion? I think you might regret selling the E once you have sold it.
Just my 2p.

[Bozwell]

the Jaguar XKSS is a fantastic car. i say go for it but then i would . go for the Steve McQueen side windows that bolt on as it's a little closed in otherwise.

be such a shame to sell the E Type but your D is such an animal that i wouldn't be suprised if a Lightweight E couldn't keep up with it. iv'e always like the XKSS and even though it's a D Type it just seems to be more of a Gentlemans car. something that doesn't look out of place anywhere where as a D Type looks like it belongs on the track. the owner of the sister D to your car let me borrow it to get home from Dover and i enjoyed every second of the jouney.

the XKSS was never designed to be driven with the hood up, it's just there to stop the seats getting wet when parked in the rain.

[lowdrag]

Well, Bozwell, since you built the D-type engine I guess you know, but you've shocked me in saying that the performance outdrags a lightweight! I have a solid sale for the E-type at the end of the season, and I feel that it is an itch I have to scratch before I get too old. As Melvin always says, the D-type has, since you rebuilt the engine, become "a hooligan's car".

I love it for what it is - a raw, rumbustious copy of a short nose D-type, but there is the other side of the coin, a bit of an anathaema to me but nevertheless somewhat valid, that the cost of transforming it would increase the value far more than the transformation.

So perhaps you'll have the car back at the end of the year at the new premises. See you at the Festival? I guess you know that the C-type has been invited.

Edit: I guess you have seen this one of the two D-types together, with their baby, but it is still fun!

Edited by lowdrag on Wednesday 9th March 20:26

[Bozwell]

lowdrag said:

you've shocked me in saying that the performance outdrags a lightweight!

an original* lightweight is fairly heavy compared to a modern built Lightweight (*well the unmolested ones anyway) so you have a decent advantage there as well as a stonking engine.

great news about the C Type type being invited to the Festival and we'll have another important Jaguar there this year as well. should be fun

[Jagmanv12]

lowdrag said:

A practical and neat solution since I'll have a car that can do track days and tour, given the luggage rack, hood and wipers (such luxury!). Would I regret it after? Would I actually like it given that anno domini is catching up and you need to be a limbo dancer to get into one with the hood up, plus you have to take the hood down to fill her up.

Now, should I or shouldn't I - that is the question. Am I foolish, or just being practical? Your input please.

Although the XKSS has a hood so you can use it for touring it is more cramped inside than your E type and therefore would probably drive it with the roof down most of the time. It then becomes a fair weather car unlike your E type. Having built and driven several D type and XKSS replicas I can say the enjoyment of driving a D wears a little thin when you encounter a downpour. In the 10,000 miles I covered in the D type I took a few baths!! The XKSS I only drove with the roof down but I reckon a demister would be working hard with the roof up and not being able to open the windows.

If you have another convertible to use in rain or shine then go for it but you might miss your E type having had it so long.

[Shoestringracer]

Do it! That way, over your life, you will have owned a whole other iconic car (replica)

[a8hex]

Oh God Tony, you don't make life easy do you.
Having an XKSS, even as a rep would be fantastic. But your E has been a part of your life for how long? I'm sure you'd always regret selling it.

How does the D handle in the wet?
The downside to popping such a beast of a engine into car is that is can make it difficult to drive in inclement weather. OK so it was track driving but down at Goodwood at the end of August I was finding it could spin the wheels on my 150 in top gear on the straights and I don't have anything like the torque your beasty makes.

I can understand the yearning for an XKSS, they're so gorgeous and I'm sure you'd be able to make more use of the SS than the D, but loosing the E after 30years would I'm sure be a huge wrench.

[Chunkychucky]

Hi Tony, hope Brette Les Pins is well! Thanks again for sorting us out with accomodation for the Classic last year - for what it's worth i'd keep the E, it's a gorgeous car and the history you have with it is very rare. However, if the XKSS is an itch that must be scratched, then I suppose it must be done!

[davepen]

I'm sure I'm telling you something you already know, but picking up the TVR from the last service, their XKSS was sitting next to a few E types up stairs at Racing Green. I think their C type was also there too. Okay you may not get the "wind in the hair" effect - but it may help you decide.

Having one of each model is just plain greedy , but I can see having a first and last, or racer and tourer. If the C type is the first, does that make the E type the last tourer?

[Pjj]

Low drag can I confess that am suffering from a similar curse in being rather distracted by the desire/need to own a XKSS (albeit a replica) at some point fascinated to hear an update as to where you got to?

I have like many of us on this forum a bit of a "habit" that means that I am better at buying cars than selling them my main project is a replica of the 1972 Weslake Cologne Capri with Willie Green that Stuck and Mass drove which will test shortly. Amongst others I have the fortune to own a series 2 drophead and a recently added series 1 fhc. I rarely have the roof up on the drophead and think that an XKSS would be an ultimate fair day car.
A real dilema for you to sell the E type though if it has been a trusted friend for so long... I would think of another route that doesnt involve the sale of the E type
You are ahead of me though in having the base in the form of a D type do keep us posted. Have some very close French friends who live down at Le Mans who have an idyllic spot just out of town will give you a shout they would love to see your cars

[lowdrag]

Where have I got to? Exactly nowhere! One day I am sure to sell the E-type and go for it, then the next day I can't bear to change the D-type (purity exemplified in short nose form) or sell the E-type. Frankly I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. I honestly feel that whichever decision I take I shall regret it afterwards. Horns, dilemma et al. Unless anyone wants to give me a Lynx XKSS so I can keep the three?

[a8hex]

If anyone is feels like giving away and XKSS I'd find a home for one too.