After the horrific crash the car was eventually rebuilt by Lynx using an original spare Jaguar lightweight body. The crumpled remains of the original stayed with the rebuilt racer until the whole lot was eventually purchased by Peter Neumark from a museum. He set CMC the task of 'repairing' the original shell but insisted the original panels be used. This meant un-crumpling and making good every single part of the bodywork and as a result they have retained 90% of the original, an incredible feat given the age of the aluminium. The bodyshell in now painted and the refurbished mechanicals are being put back. Nick estimates they will have spent 6,500 hours on the car (figure CMC's ?43/hour rate plus parts!) by the time it is finished in March. The Jaguar spare shell is being fitted with an original Lightweight engine and is being rebuilt as a Low Drag replica.
There were at least 10 E-Type's being restored or serviced and five others parked outside awaiting work. Also a superb original Coombs Mk II nearing completion. Seems everyone is trying to beat the VAT increase in January but also a reflection of the increasing desirability of the E-Type as it heads for its fiftieth birthday.
As for my car Andrew Turvey quickly confirmed my thoughts that the tappets were very noisy particularly on the intake bank. He observed that high lift cams as fitted to the VSE02 do tend to wear more quickly than standard units but it could also be a loose valve guide, seat or worn tappet. He also spotted something I had never noticed despite hours I spent working on the car. The subtle front tyre wear pattern suggested the upper wishbone bushes had deteriorated, the o/s more than the n/s. Incredible eye for detail as they looked fine to me until he pointed it out. He is going to fit the same heavy duty versions he is using on the Low Drag Coupe.
I think the E-Type Club are organising another CMC technical day in the New Year so if you haven't been it is well worth going along given the large array of cars they are working on in various stages of completion.