v. late 3.8's

[tinworm]

I was sorting through parts to try to make up a late 3.8 centre console . I notice some of the 'crossed' type aluminium trim panels I have in my possession have been trimmed over with leather. This includes the gauntlet panel around the gear lever . This leads me to believe that Jaguar MAY have used up the aluminium trim panels by trimming them over . No info printed that I have found so far on this possible practice. Any body else seen this or am I barking up the wrong tree entirely.

Barrie

[rswaffie]

Yes, on my lhd Nov 63 fhc the radio panel and gauntlet panel Had the cross hatch under the leather/vinyl trim. There was also evidence that the centre console also had the alloy at some point as this had been modified.

I did a trawl through all the 3.8 built after the supposed cut off month for alloy trim and found loads that were pictured with this trim, well into 1964.

[tinworm]

Thankyou Richard for your info. My car is chassis number 890712 so could well have had the same trimming details as yours when new.

Barrie

[lopena]

My 3.8 OTS has a build-date of 12 February 1964 and it does not have the cross-hatched aluminum trim under the vinyl.

Alan
N.J.

[grimes6]

A person I got to know in the 90's who actually worked at Brown's lane as an upholsterer told me Jaguar never wasted anything. He said the cut off dates were not strictly adhered to. They would keep using the older part until is was totally gone . The date reflected the change date in theory but not in practice on the factory floor.

[abowie]

Yes I've seen this.

[pmansson]

This is interesting!
My 3,8 (881583) was built on March 22nd 1964, yet it has what looks like an original alu panelled interior. I have always assumed that a later US owner changed from black/leather to alu panels, but who knows...?
I prefer the early alu panels, and I find the cubby box in the way when switching gears.
What do the experts have to say?!?!
Peder

[rswaffie]

If it were the original dash/console/radio trim, it would be crosshatch, not polka dot - the same as I found under some of my leather trim. I suspect it was changed by a po from either leather or part leather/crosshatch And he wanted it all the same. As you can’t get cross hatch anymore (other than diy using Aston Martin sill covers) this is why it is all polka dot, like mine now is.

[SEJohnson95]

You are correct in saying that Aston Martin produce a very similar cross pattern aluminium, with the subtlety being that the reproduction stuff is etched, rather than rolled.

My friend Richard ordered the sheets and made his own dash panels for his FHC (860927) which was only the 15th RHD FHC to come with the cross pattern. I'm still impressed that he did it himself! The original centre console just wasn't quite in good enough condition, and although the dash panel was, he changed both to match. I still think it looks spectacular, partly because it's commonplace to see the reproduction dot pattern on 3.8s of all age and it's a nicer pattern IMO.

[Robbiee]

I have a dot pattern on my March ‘62 OTS which is original.
Robbie

[tinworm]

Well Simon , you can tell your friend Richard that his handiwork is first class -

Barrie

ps Peder is your chassis number wrong - do you mean 889583 ?

[Series1 Stu]

This is a slightly annoying subject for me.

My car came with the cross hatch/dogbone pattern instrument panel but seems to have been "upgraded" to a series 2 centre console at some point so the aluminium trim was lost.

My only option was to buy a new aftermarket kit which is quite well made but being dot pattern just isn't authentic to my car. I could fit the original instrument panel trim but I think the mismatch is worse than the lack of authenticity.

I was told a while ago that the cross hatch pattern was less common than the dot pattern so there's an attraction there.

Maybe I should advertise for some and see what comes back?

Regards

[tinworm]

Well Stu you just have - I have a crossed hatch radio console front I am not using if you want it.

Barrie
I am looking for a S1 4.2 radio frame as that is appropriate for my very late 3.8 - in case any one knows of one going.

[pmansson]

881583 is correct.
Why do you mention another number?
I can show you the Her Cert as well as pictures of frame and chassis plate/plaque
I think other details suggest an earlier car. Bought it 15 yrs ago in Germany. Had come from the US in the 90s.
The seats have that correct red colour rather than slightly darker found today, thick and shiny leather. Could well be original...?!

[tinworm]

My apologies regarding chassis number 881583 - brain fade , I was thinking FHC instead of DHC.

Barrie

[Philk]

This is interesting!
My 3,8 (881583) was built on March 22nd 1964, yet it has what looks like an original alu panelled interior. I have always assumed that a later US owner changed from black/leather to alu panels, but who knows...?
I prefer the early alu panels, and I find the cubby box in the way when switching gears.
What do the experts have to say?!?!

I have car 881743 and can confirm that your car should not have any aluminium panels. It should also have the cubby box/armrest on the centre console. These changes were introduced as per the following Jaguar Spares Bulletins:

• August 1963: Bulletin P91. From LHD OTS Chassis No. 879761. Introduction of revised Gearbox/Propeller Shaft Tunnel Finisher (including central armrest)

• September 1963: Bulletin P95: From LHD OTS Chassis No. 879803. Introduction of revised Instrument Panel having a black-trimmed face.

• September 1963: Bulletin P97. From LHD OTS Chassis No. 879803. Modified Front Finisher Panel trimmed in Leather, having previously had an embossed Aluminium face.

Looking at your original photos, I believe your car should also have door armrests (introduced in June 1963 under Spares Bulletin P89 (from LHD OTS Chassis No. 879496). It should also have the later Ash Tray design introduced in January 1964 under Spares Bulletin P105 (from LHD OTS Chassis No. 880615).

I can see that your car also has the (useful) sun-visors (which were only introduced from the 4.2 cars). As such, it may be that a previous owner has trimmed the car to what they find aesthetically pleasing as opposed to what would have been fitted to the car at the point of production.

[pmansson]

Good info, and as I suspected. But I am very pleased about the POs change as I prefer it to the later style. I find the cubby box in the way when changing gears, and I love the alu panels.

[scarr27]

Speaking of the Cross Hatched pattern, It's something I too will have to address as my restoration progresses. My Oct. 1962 FHC came with the cross hatched aluminium pattern but the console part is missing. I purchased the Austin Martin cross hatched patterned sheet (at great expense) with the intention of making a new one myself. As said above, it's etched rather than pressed into the aluminium and for me isn't quite right.
One day I had a brain wave . I think I know how jaguar originally did it (well the pattern anyway) and when I worked at an engineering works I had planned to experiment as they had some big industrial rollers there. I bought some plain 1mm thk aluminium sheet but unfortunately a better job came up and I left there before I had the chance to try anything out.
Anyway, it looks like there might be a few folks out there (like me) that would love to get there hands on a correct reproduction of the cross hatched pattern. Sooooo.... If there's any one out there who would have access to large rollers or a large press (30tons+ ?) for some experimentation, give me a shout (PM). We might just be able to come up with something!

Sean

[ysmalkie]

He is better known in the XK world, I guess, but I know that James Lawrance has been preparing to make them:

[tinworm]

Do you mean James Lawrance who produces XK panels from the New Forest?

Barrie