What to look for in a series 2 fhc

[alunwill]

I'm looking to buy a series 2 etype. I've always admired them from a distance but decided it's time to get it out my system before it's too late!

I don't want a restoration, I've done that, although I'm quite happy to improve something over time.

One question I have relates to imports from the states. Is there a stigma about a restored import when you come to sell it some years down the road. Seems a snobbish thing to ask but when you're spending this type of money being aware of the pit falls is half the battle.


Al

[DWW]

RHD/LHD, Numbers matching, Auto/manual, overdrive, aircon, power steering, 2 seater/2+2, rust, body, paint, chrome, mechanicals, SU/Strnbrg, 2/3 carbs, cooling, electrics, interior, seats.

US imports generally lower power due to stringent emission laws. strange over riders, side repeaters and reflectors etc'.

[christopher storey]

The real snag to US imports is that almost invariably they come with the 3.54 diff ( which provided stupendous acceleration from rest but reflected the 55 mph speed limit which was widespread in the US at the time) and which also results in ridiculously lower speeds in the gears . Also as already noted, the twin Strombergs provided a rather lower power output . If these two factors are changed to European/UK spec these disadvantages are cured, but at a cost of at least £4,000 or thereabouts

[Gfhug]

Agreeing with Christopher, though I’d say closer to 6k. But if you can find a good dry state car needing little or no work then you have a very good starting point. Factor in changing from LHD to RHD and other extras like that. We have our resident restorer Angus Moss (mossjaguar.com) who might know of a car resident in the US or already repatriated that could be suitable. If nothing else why not give him a call. Oh, and if you have any pull with the governor of the Bank of England get them to work the exchange rate to more like $2:£1 to get a better price on your import!

Geoff

[Tommd]

The real snag to US imports is that almost invariably they come with the 3.54 diff ( which provided stupendous acceleration from rest but reflected the 55 mph speed limit which was widespread in the US at the time) and which also results in ridiculously lower speeds in the gears.

The US national 55 mph speed limit began in 1974, after the S2. Previous to that, most interstate highways were around 60 to 75, although 2 states had some unlimited speed limit roads. I presume there was another reason the 3.54 was used, maybe that is what the buyers wanted???
Tom

[mgcjag]

It sounds to me that you want to purchase a car but not lose value when you sell it some years down the line...for that you need a crystal ball assuming that a US import is to the same spec and condition as a UK car there is currently very little if any difference in its value...but condition and rarity is the key to maintaining value....Steve

[max-it-out]

If considering an import , take into account what it will cost to get it back to UK spec. ---
LHD - RHD conversion
diff swap / ratio change / 5 speed gearbox
Strombergs - SUs

Paying a specialist to do the above might cost c. £ 15 k . Less if you DIY .

Also , some of the " rust free imports " may not be as rust free as claimed , after all , it does rain even in " dry " state US .

[mgcjag]

5 speed isnt UK spec.....Steve

[Gfhug]

And why waste money on a five speed if you can get a 3.07 diff for circa £1000. That gives you a very comfortable cruise rpm on UK roads and you’ll be in the torque sweet spot even in fourth gear.

Geoff

[Geoff Allam]

Tom, the reason for the 3.54 ratio is that in North America in the 60's and 70's bragging rights depended on 0 to 60 times and stop light performance. Gas mileageand top end speed were only secondary. Unfortunately I am old enough to have experienced it first hand!

[Gfhug]

Geoff, please do let us all know about your experiences, how many bragging rights did you earn?
No James Dean at least, but we’re you a rebel without a cause like we all were

Another Geoff

[Geoff Allam]

Geoff. Sorry to disappoint you. I experienced the times. Unfortunately I was not wealthy enough to own a real muscle car. Best I ever did was a Camaro with a 2 barrel carb and 2 speed slush box. Interestingly it was equipped with a 3.08 differential. Low spec cars like that were sold and used for daily transport so they had sensible gearing for long distance cruising. When that Camaro wore out I stored it for many years and my son and I restored it when he turned 16. We added a few goodies to turn it into a 350 SS clone with approx 300hp. The differential was swapped for a 2.73 ratio out of a z-28 and the transmission for a Muncie m-21. Lots of power to break the rear wheels loose in 3rd gear. My son drove it as a summer car for a few years and then sold it when he went off to college in the U.S.

[Tommd]

Tom, the reason for the 3.54 ratio is that in North America in the 60's and 70's bragging rights depended on 0 to 60 times and stop light performance.

Geoff, yes, I said it was not the US government's 55 mph speed limit that had the 3.54 ratio preferred in the US, is was the customer. I do not know about the S2's in particular, but several ratios were offered by Jaguar in the 1960's in the US, and the 3.54 seemed to have eventually won out as the most preferred. IMO, it seems to be only in recent years that many seek the lower ratios. Many seem to want a 1960's vintage car, but to be more like modern cars. I am not familiar with many of the European cars for the 1960's, but I am somewhat familiar with what Mercedes did- they offered many with 3.5 to 4.0 rear axles. The "story" was the Europeans wanted the high revving engines and they wanted to hear them rev. Plus most back then had less HP then US cars so the higher revs seemed to make them more responsive.
Tom

[malcolm]

It would be interesting to see the difference in 0 to 60 times between cars with the different ratios.