S3 Decals and positions - UK spec 2+2

[Drewpy]

Had a good search on the forum today and don't think there is anything close to a complete guide to the factory decals used and the positions they are fixed in for these cars. I see the big two UK parts suppliers list them, but no guidance on fitment location.

Anyone out there able to contribute here?

My fall-back position is to buy a car set, then surf the web for S3 underbonnet pictures, but this will be slow and of course carries the risk that decals found and their position may not necessarily be correct!

[MarekH]

There should be plenty of photographs on xkedata.com showing these.

Before the mid 1980s, these cars were not even collectible or so old that they needed any substantial maintenance (called "restoration") so the older entries will be a good guide for you.

kind regards,
Marek

[chris420sa]

All decals and their positions for RHD and LHD Series 3's are set out on pages 173 through 180 of Richard T Russ's 1991 book: "Jaguar V-12 E-Type A Guide to Authenticity".
If you PM me letting me know the specific decals to which you're referring, I'll try to advise their positions based on the book.
The most prominent decals are probably those on the air cleaners:
The circular one ("Engine Initially filled......") goes on top of LHS air cleaner near the front
The rectangular one (firing order and tappet clearance) is placed centrally on the top of the LHS air cleaner
The smaller rectangular one ("For lubrication and information.....") is placed centrally on the top of the RHS air cleaner.
Hope that helps
All the best
Chris

[Drewpy]

Thank you both for your help. After checking for price and availability of the book, I think I'll start by taking a look on XKE data!

Regards,
Drew

[Heuer]

There aren't many decals. Apart from those mentioned there is the Triplex logo at the centre base of the windscreen and the Lucas battery logo. Sir William was not keen on others advertising their wares on his cars!

[vee12eman]

Hi Drew,

The excellent Richard T Russ book was once available on CD and you could buy it on the XKE data site. I took a look recently, but I can’t see it there any longer. I bought both the original (before prices sky rocketed) and the CD, which I think I now have as an electronic copy on my PC. Anyway, I did a search for it online and there do seem to be sites offering a .PDF download for free, through supposedly safe download sites. Also, if you go on the XKE data site and look through the owners list, Richard is actually listed and there is an option to contact him, it might be worth a try. In the meantime, I will see if I can extract the pages you need from my electronic copy and I might be able to send to you. I have sent you a PM so you can contact me and send your email address.

Regards,

Simon

[Bob.]

The Richard T Russ book is available in colour printed ring bound format, together with a CD, from JCNA for $65 non members or $55 members + $25 shipping.
https://www.jcna.com/taxonomy/term/58 (scroll down to find it)

[JackieV12]

Hello, all. I'm looking for info on a certain decal for a 1973 Series 3 2x2 V12 5.3. The guy I'm working with (original and only owner!) says there was a foot-long sticker on the underside of the bonnet above the battery. He recalls that there was yellow writing on it, and maybe said something about lubricants. It was removed when the bonnet was repainted. Any S3 owners have something like that on their cars? The owner wants me to order it, but I can't find anything as described on Moss, SNG or Martin Robey. Images appreciated!

Thanks, M

[Bob.]

Hi M
The only label stuck to the underside of the bonnet by the factory was the US Emissions compliance and tuning sticker indicated in the first picture which is of a 74MY car. The 73MY version is shown in the second image.

A small rectangular recommended lubricants label was stuck to the top of the RH air filter housing and a small round one identifying the initial fill being 20W/40 to the top of the LH housing together with another showing the tappet clearances and firing order. (enlarge the first image to see these)
Hope this helps.

[JackieV12]

Thanks, Bob! Yes, this is very helpful. Maybe the owner is thinking of something that was added when the car was imported into the U.S.? (He bought it right off the boat in Baltimore.) But glad to hear that no such sticker was issued by the factory. The photos are a perfect reference — thank you so much for sharing those.

M

[Craig Balzer]

Got have some good replies already.

I am restoring my SIII OTS and have collected some photos off the web
First Photo is of the decals I picked up to be applied at the every end of the process
Other photos were collected to help locate their positioning.
Hope this helps . . .

[JackieV12]

Thanks, Craig! Photos that show the positioning really are helpful. There seem to be quite a few places online where you can get the stickers, but not so many that show you where to put them. And you just know some judge at the car show is going to be in a huff if a sticker is in the wrong place!

M

[Craig Balzer]

"but not so many that show you where to put them"

Keep searching the 'net or find a friend with Dr Russ' book

[Craig Balzer]

I was looking for something else and stumbled on another decal.
This one is rarely seen cuz it is on the heater fan motor which is attached to the bottom of the heater matrix -- see photo. If you look at my first photo (with the array of decals I have collected), this one is not in the mix.
It is too obscure. Now -- if your target is a Concours winner, you best get one and apply it



Further - the 5-side, reddish decal atop the righthand air filter does not belong -- I think it is a 6-cylinder decal.

Craig

[Craig Balzer]

A Series III was just sold at a Mecum's Auction for $175,000
It has 7,465 original miles
You can see the photos from the auction site here:
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0123-53790 ... -roadster/

Check out photo #5