New member in Guadalajara

[pafagt]

Hello E Type forum ..! My name is Pablo Fernandez. I live in Guadalajara, Mexico. I restored and owned a beautiful 66 FHC finished in opalescent silver blu with dark blue leather interior. Sold the car a couple of years ago, and as you can imagine regretted it…I’m looking at buying a 67 late series 1 OTS (1.25 series car). I have a couple of questions, perhaps you can help me. First one is regarding the value of a series 1.25 car as compared to a regular series 1 car? Car is exactly the same (toggle switches, 3 SU carburetors) but open headlights. Second question is regarding the hardtop it came with. It has a cream colored vinyl, would this be normal for a factory supplied hard top? I’ve heard they only came in gloss black.?

Thanks for letting me join and I look forward to a hearing back fro you.

Pablo

[malcolm]

Hi Pablo and welcome to the forum!
I can't answer most of your questions, but there will be many who can! In this country, the difference in value between a series 1 and a 1.25 wouldn't be great, unless you were comparing a later series 1 to a flat floor, or outside bonnet locks car. Of course I can't know how it would be viewed in Mexico, but I can't imagine it would be much different to here.
Someone will comment soon on colours of hard tops

[Heuer]

Hardtops were painted gloss black from the Factory but owners could request a different colour (usually body colour match) at extra cost. The Factory did not offer vinyl (Everflex) as far as we know.

[pafagt]

Thanks David and Malcolm and merry Christmas to all. I’m very exited about this car as it is in a very original condition with its original interior almost intact and mostly original paint with the exception of a fender that was damaged when a box fell on it. Car has been sitting on the building’s basement parking lot for 15-16 years it has not moved and it has not been started. How do I make sure it’s engine turns without risking damaging something inside it?

David do you know if there were significant differences between a factory supplied hardtop for a series 1 car and a series 2 car?

Thanks and regards,
Pablo

[DWW]

Best is to try turning the engine manually with a longish ratchet and I think 40mm socket.

[Series1 Stu]

I would take out all the spark plugs (make a note of the lead positions), pour about 25ml of oil down each spark plug hole and give it at least 30 minutes to find its way down to the piston rings before using a socket on the crankshaft pulley centre bolt. Try turning the pulley clockwise. Leave the spark plugs out to make turning the engine over easier.

That would be the starting point before attempting to turn the engine over on the starter motor.

Regards

[pafagt]

Thanks..! I’ll pull out the plugs and drop some oil on the holes before putting it in third and rolling it for a couple of feet. I don’t think I’ll be able to use a ratchet it’s in a pretty uncomfortable place in a parking garage in a basement. Thanks a lot for your comments and suggestions.

[Series1 Stu]

Yes, that will work but be sure that the engine does actually turn and it isn't the clutch slipping.

Good luck

[Heuer]

David do you know if there were significant differences between a factory supplied hardtop for a series 1 car and a series 2 car?

Same hardtop C.20687 for S1 and S2 cars. Only the S3 hardtop was different.

[pafagt]

I will go today and see if I can get that engine to turn. I don’t have a similar car near and don’t remember which tool to use to remove the spark plugs, can someone remind me will a regular ratchet and a socket will do it or do I need a special tool or extension?

Thanks..!
Pablo

[Heuer]

You will need a deep socket. If the car still has its toolkit there will be one in there otherwise you will need to buy a 14mm plug socket.

[pafagt]

Well, the car has a partial tool kit but it had its wrenches with both tommy bars so I was able to remove the spark plugs and pur oil. tomorrow we will lower the car and roll it. hopefully the engine will turn fine.

I also wanted to ask the forum about the interior of the hood and the undercarriage of the car. I remember when I restored my 66 FHC the underside and the inside of the bonnet was painted with the color of the car and had no other finish or protective material. This car (a 67 series 1.25) has a black protective finish like a relatively thick coat. would that come originally from the factory in these later cars?

[DWW]

As far as I know they were all fully painted in body colour with some protective coating under the body colour where relevant.

[malcolm]

Yes, I believe they were all body colour

[Heuer]

Definitely all body colour:


The above was part of the press pack handed out by Jaguar in March 1961.

[Doug Buchan]

Hola,
I used to stop by the Guadalajara Grille on the way back from surfing K38 in the Baja... First stop was Puerto Nuevo for some Langusta...good times!
As usual, David is correct about the hardtop however the only thing I would add is that the clasps changed along the way. Yours appear to be the earlier, thinner variants. You might consider joining the Coventry Foundation as they have a west coast tool loan facility in I believe, Oceanside Ca. ... Managed by Classic Showcase. A great resource.

Regards,
Doug