series 1 E Type 2+2 to OFS

[DBSV8]

Has anyone attempted to take a 2+2 E type and convert it to an open four seater ?

[1954etype]

Seen photos and it is awful. The hood looks terrible. Very expensive mod to make a car worth nothing at the end.

[DBSV8]

1954etype said:

Seen photos and it is awful. The hood looks terrible. Very expensive mod to make a car worth nothing at the end.

out of curiosity do you have a link to photos

cheers

[1954etype]

Sorry, this was a few years ago now.

[lowdrag]

Do you realise the consequences? An IVA test, full VED, and possibly the V5 withdrawn. I know someone who lost his V5 for doing just that.

[DBSV8]

lowdrag said:

Do you realise the consequences? An IVA test, full VED, and possibly the V5 withdrawn. I know someone who lost his V5 for doing just that.

i'm not talking about a cut and shut chopping the roof off a 2+2 rather a complete re build project more in the vein of an Eagle roadster ,

Just curious if anyone had attempted this successfully ?

[a8hex]

Wouldn't it be easier to start with a series III ? Where you get the 2+2 underpinnings and the convertible top half to start with. No idea about making the space for the back seats.

[psi310398]

There have been several attempts, most of which look a bit awkward.

Beacham is probably the best executed. I suppose it might be worth it to someone who absolutely had to have a 4 seater OTS but it would be next to worthless on the second-hand market unless the owner were very lucky.

The cost of refurbing any E Type is not inconsiderable and, if this conversion were to be attempted, it would best be done while the car was having rust removed, panels replaced etc. There would remain, IVA apart, the problem of procuring bespoke upholstery and hood/hood frame (and an ongoing need to have such trim replaced/serviced from time to time).

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22705/lot/330/

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=ca...

https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/jaguar-e-type-...

[V8s ONLY]

The Beacham/Bonhams car was a V12 2 seater re-engined with a modern Jag V8 surely.
The best and easiest way would be to rebody your 2+2 with an open V12 shell and interior, or are you after a 4 seater open E type? If you are it is going to look horrible however it is done.

[psi310398]

V8s ONLY said:

The Beacham/Bonhams car was a V12 2 seater re-engined with a modern Jag V8 surely.

Apparently not, according to the sales blurb; it was originally a 2+2. But yes, it was redone with the oily bits of an XK, I believe.

[singlecoil]

psi310398 said:

V8s ONLY said:

The Beacham/Bonhams car was a V12 2 seater re-engined with a modern Jag V8 surely.

Apparently not, according to the sales blurb; it was originally a 2+2. But yes, it was redone with the oily bits of an XK, I believe.

DVLA seem to think it still has the V12, and that it's a 2+2 E Type (which in itself means a car with a fixed roof, I guess).

Funny, I Would have thought all that would have been amended when it passed the IVA.

[The Surveyor]

psi310398 said:

There have been several attempts, most of which look a bit awkward.

.......

Sadly, the 2+2 has always looked equally awkward which is why it's the least desirable variant and fair-game for a chop.

For me if you really had to chop one about, the better option would be to replicate the coupe roof line smoothed out over the longer wheelbase, you could even add some rake to the windscreen and make a much more elegant coupe.

[Longnose]

There was a thread last August about a conversion in New Zealand. Look for "For your interest - a Series 1 XKE 2+2 Convertible".

I thought it was a great improvement.

[Vintage Racer]

looks like this to me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szwclmmKwLg

[lowdrag]

It seems some people have forgotten that the V12 shell was the same in OTS or coupé form. Put a 3.8 OTS next to a V12 roadster and you'll see that the doors are 9 ins longer on the V12. It would seem cheaper to me to buy a roadster, take out the luggage box behind the seats and add a vestigial seat. But as for seat belts, well, work that one out for yourself.