XK120 banger racing!
Discussion
Thanks for your comments. I thought you might have all lost interest! I have attached a picture showing the repairs to the rear chassis. I have a fabricated new nearside leg to weld on but the cross tube is sorted.
i like the idea of trying to leave a little bit of the banger and will have a think about how and where.
I had also decided that as it has some "racing" history, to fit a rollcage and as I have a hydraulic bender, was going to make my own but I must be really lucky as an FIA spec XK150 one came up on ebay a few weeks ago and I won it for £36! I couldn't believe it.
i like the idea of trying to leave a little bit of the banger and will have a think about how and where.
I had also decided that as it has some "racing" history, to fit a rollcage and as I have a hydraulic bender, was going to make my own but I must be really lucky as an FIA spec XK150 one came up on ebay a few weeks ago and I won it for £36! I couldn't believe it.
you can just imagine the conversation in the pub when this is restored...
...'oh yes, its got racing history...'
...'really? the monte carlo rally?
...'er no, the local banger track...'
I think its going to great if you do it race look it a nod to its history, I actualy think that the 'banger green' paint colour suits it
...'oh yes, its got racing history...'
...'really? the monte carlo rally?
...'er no, the local banger track...'
I think its going to great if you do it race look it a nod to its history, I actualy think that the 'banger green' paint colour suits it
Thanks. That's really useful info. I wasn't going to put bumpers on. They would cost getting on for £2k and it will look much more like a racer without them. They are also quite heavy.
I don't think I will be respraying it "banger green", it will probably be metallic blue with blue bucket seats. There will be no other interior trim. I have bought an aluminium instrument panel, which was fitted to early DHC's and will probably do door panels in aluminium as well.
I am surprised nobody has mentioned the engine yet! Originally it came with a 210 bhp 3.4 litre with twin 13/4" SU's. Sometime during its life, prior to 1980's it was fitted with a 3.8 litre engine from a Mk9 Jaguar, and this is still in the car and on the V5. I have a straight port E type cylinder head and have bought a set of triple 2" inch SU's with manifolds, so will hopefully end up with nearer to 265 bhp, so it should go as well as it looks.
I have to say I am more excited about getting the "banger " done than my current project, but I must concentrate on this first.
I don't think I will be respraying it "banger green", it will probably be metallic blue with blue bucket seats. There will be no other interior trim. I have bought an aluminium instrument panel, which was fitted to early DHC's and will probably do door panels in aluminium as well.
I am surprised nobody has mentioned the engine yet! Originally it came with a 210 bhp 3.4 litre with twin 13/4" SU's. Sometime during its life, prior to 1980's it was fitted with a 3.8 litre engine from a Mk9 Jaguar, and this is still in the car and on the V5. I have a straight port E type cylinder head and have bought a set of triple 2" inch SU's with manifolds, so will hopefully end up with nearer to 265 bhp, so it should go as well as it looks.
I have to say I am more excited about getting the "banger " done than my current project, but I must concentrate on this first.
guru_1071 said:
you can just imagine the conversation in the pub when this is restored...
...'oh yes, its got racing history...'
...'really? the monte carlo rally?
...'er no, the local banger track...'
I think its going to great if you do it race look it a nod to its history, I actualy think that the 'banger green' paint colour suits it
Its the conversation at goodwood which'll be the best ...'oh yes, its got racing history...'
...'really? the monte carlo rally?
...'er no, the local banger track...'
I think its going to great if you do it race look it a nod to its history, I actualy think that the 'banger green' paint colour suits it
XKman said:
I am surprised nobody has mentioned the engine yet! Originally it came with a 210 bhp 3.4 litre with twin 13/4" SU's. Sometime during its life, prior to 1980's it was fitted with a 3.8 litre engine from a Mk9 Jaguar, and this is still in the car and on the V5. I have a straight port E type cylinder head and have bought a set of triple 2" inch SU's with manifolds, so will hopefully end up with nearer to 265 bhp, so it should go as well as it looks.
Glad to here you're not putting a wooden dash on her, as so many people seem to be doing these days (Yuck)With the head, you can get triple carbs into the 150 reasonably easily, you need to cut a box into the inner wing to make enough space though. You will also need to move at least one of the clutch or brake fluid reservoirs, sorry can't remember which. The XK150S had both of them moved in front of the carbs.
The bigger issue is the manifold, with the right hand drive 150s you can't use the E-Types inlet manifold, it fouls the steering column. Because of the E-Types bonnet line, the inlet manifold is S shaped and drops the carbs slightly lower. You need the manifold from a Mk10 or 420G. The good news is that these are generally cheaper than the E-Type manifolds.
Apologies for lack of updates but now making progress, although a house move may get in the way shortly.
As you will see in the picture, all the chassis has been stripped, the roof had to come off as it had been welded back in the wrong place, and the remains of the body shell with the chassis have been sandblasted. The rear chassis leg which was bent has been replaced and the front near side front wing stretched forward nearly two inches as a result of a crash in the banger race, so it is now ready for repairs.
The engine has been delivered to specialist Jaguar rebuilders, VSE, in Wales, the gearbox has been cleaned and checked and the car is also now back on wire wheels.
The doors I purchased are being reskinned and the bonnet, also purchased, being repaired and having loures put in.
Next job is to repair all the holes/ damage to the front wings and bulkhead. Unfortunately for the banger race they welded large bolts in a number of places to add strength, plus box sections in the door apertures and these have been difficult to remove without causing more damage. They had also cut through all four door hinges, so another little job ego sort out!
The back axle is coming off this week and then I can spray the rear chassis.
As you will see in the picture, all the chassis has been stripped, the roof had to come off as it had been welded back in the wrong place, and the remains of the body shell with the chassis have been sandblasted. The rear chassis leg which was bent has been replaced and the front near side front wing stretched forward nearly two inches as a result of a crash in the banger race, so it is now ready for repairs.
The engine has been delivered to specialist Jaguar rebuilders, VSE, in Wales, the gearbox has been cleaned and checked and the car is also now back on wire wheels.
The doors I purchased are being reskinned and the bonnet, also purchased, being repaired and having loures put in.
Next job is to repair all the holes/ damage to the front wings and bulkhead. Unfortunately for the banger race they welded large bolts in a number of places to add strength, plus box sections in the door apertures and these have been difficult to remove without causing more damage. They had also cut through all four door hinges, so another little job ego sort out!
The back axle is coming off this week and then I can spray the rear chassis.
Hi everybody, my apologies for not posting anything but I moved house in December 2014 to Norfolk and have spent the intervening time restoring a barn, which is now my workshop.
However, I have managed to do some work on the "banger racer". I now have all the bodywork prepared ready to put together. A complete new rear end, new cills and B posts. A second hand pair of rear wings have been sandblasted and repaired, a roof I managed to find at an auction, also sandblasted, a good boot lid, a pair of old doors which have been reskinned, and a rather bent bonnet, which has also been sand blasted, straightened and louvred.
The 3.8 engine has been rebuilt by VSE in Wales, with hardened valve seats for unleaded petrol, and looks fabulous. I have also had the triple 2" SU's from a Mk 10 rebuilt and polished.
Once I have finished repairing the A posts and hinge boxes( the original hinges were cut through in the prep for the banger race, before they welded on fabricated panels as doors), and the damage from the side impact in the race, the front body will be lifted off so I can finish painting the chassis. Then back on with the front suspension - I have bought polybushes and a thicker anti - roll bar.
The plan is to get all this done before Christmas with a finish date by end of 2017! But I am sure other things will get in the way.
If anybody is still interested in this, I will post some pictures.
However, I have managed to do some work on the "banger racer". I now have all the bodywork prepared ready to put together. A complete new rear end, new cills and B posts. A second hand pair of rear wings have been sandblasted and repaired, a roof I managed to find at an auction, also sandblasted, a good boot lid, a pair of old doors which have been reskinned, and a rather bent bonnet, which has also been sand blasted, straightened and louvred.
The 3.8 engine has been rebuilt by VSE in Wales, with hardened valve seats for unleaded petrol, and looks fabulous. I have also had the triple 2" SU's from a Mk 10 rebuilt and polished.
Once I have finished repairing the A posts and hinge boxes( the original hinges were cut through in the prep for the banger race, before they welded on fabricated panels as doors), and the damage from the side impact in the race, the front body will be lifted off so I can finish painting the chassis. Then back on with the front suspension - I have bought polybushes and a thicker anti - roll bar.
The plan is to get all this done before Christmas with a finish date by end of 2017! But I am sure other things will get in the way.
If anybody is still interested in this, I will post some pictures.
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