Hello from a new memeber

Curtis Bay · Post by **Curtis Bay** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:32 pm

Hello from Blockley, Gloucestershire. By my calculation I am the second member of the forum from Blockley which is quite an achievement given its size! (hello to Simon Bolton if you are reading this).

My name is also Simon so things could get confusing....

Anyway, I am currently having my '65 FHC rebuilt after very nearly selling it on e-bay last year. The action of cleaning it down for the photos for the listing reminded me of how much I loved the car - so I am keeping it and returning it to its former glory. Sorry to my wife Kathy!

I bought the car about 10 years ago on a bit of an impulse and before I knew enough to make an informed purchase. I ended up with something that looked nice but was infact a victim of the late eighties when E-Types were bodged to look good and sell for lots and lots of money!

I resolved to rebuild the bodywork myself but a new house, wife and daughter got in the way so the stripped shell sat in my garage for 9 years!

The good news was that by accident I had found an early 1965 FHC UK car with matching numbers. I had chosen the year because it is when I was born and had no idea at the time that it meant I would have a series one (how little I knew) and that by good fortune '65 was a choice year.

As time passed I considered rebuilding the car into a new roadster shell, mainly because the bonnet was perfect and the bulkhead was in good shape. However, after looking into the cost of doing this and the value of a 'converted' roadster it became clear that despite the surgery that was required to repair the exisitng body I would be better to keep it a coupe - I also prefer the shape to be honest.

So the search was on to find a suitable company to perform the restoration. Because of my proximity to CMC and Robeys I approached them first. Both were very helpful but at the time I could not afford to go ahead. Some time later I was visiting my brother in Bradford, where I also used to live, and I noticed that a company I spent some time working at during my summer holidays when I was student had changed hands. The company was originally known as Naylors but was now called Hutsons. What was more interesting was that Hutsons had changed direction from building MG TF replicas and now performed the restoration of E Type Jaguars. I was intrigued and paid them a visit. To my surprise the I was greated by the Manager Andy Rayner who was the same person that had tought me to MIG weld at Naylors 20 years earlier. Andy had stayed at the company through all the changes and now runs the Business.

So a long discussion ensued and eventually my E-type was booked in for a two to three year 'nut and bolt' restoration. This will include a new floor and most of the lower body panels, new door shells and rear wings. The bulkhead, roof and bonnet are all in great shape so there is somehting worth keeping!

I plan on returning the car to its original colour scheme of Opalescent Silver Blue metallic with light grey interior and I will be incorporating some subtle upgrades including improving the brakes (Wilwood upgrade from Classic Jaguar and front brake pistons fitted in the restored original rear calipers), improved cooling (details to be decided ), a bit of cylinder head work / balacing and a better exhaust (still researching the manifold / exhaust combo). I have also bought some 16"x6" chrome Dayton wire wheels for it and plan on running 205/60 series tyres to maintain the rolling diameter. The suspension will be polybushed and I have GAZ shocks going on each corner.

I have read many of the posts on this forum and it is a briliant to finally have a dedicated E-Type community - well done for setting it up.

I would be delighted to hear comments on my plans and suggestions on the best exhaust and cooling improvements I can make. The wheel and tyre choice is driven by vanity and not performance and whilst this may be trying to mix new world looks with 1960's suspension technology I am not planning on racing the car so I will see how it feels when finished.

Incidentally, this is my second e-type. My first was a dark metallic blue series one roadster which I owned 37 years ago (aged 6) - made by Triang. I wish I still had it - they are worth a fortune now!

Regards, Simon

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:38 pm

Welcome, Simon. I have found this forum quite inspiring as well, and it?s responsible for getting my ?65 Coupe up to CMC for finishing off and re-trimming. Some 12 years or so being restored is just too long! Mine is an early 4.2 (Apr ?65) as well, with the external servo pipes, no glove box lid and no alternator shield, and is finished in its original black with red interior. It will be interesting to compare notes as mine was a Californian car which I converted to RHD. Luckily, I came across a chap at E Type day in Prescott a few years ago who had his very original ?65 Coupe there, and was able to determine the route of those confounded external pipes on a RHD car.

There are quite a few of us now in the Gloucestershire / Worcestershire area, and we should start seeing some more on the road when all these restorations have been completed.

As soon as my car is back from CMC (maybe this year!) I?ll put some more photos on this forum. As for wheels, we?ve had a good bash on this subject, and it seems that 6 inch is about as big as you can go unless you?re happy to deflate the tyre when you want to get it on or off. I bought my 6 inch wheels from David (Heuer on this forum) who went back to the original size, although an exotic Italian make. They fill out the arches beautifully, and for me, really make the car.

You?ll have to keep us posted on progress?with pictures of course!

Moeregaard · Post by **Moeregaard** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:55 pm

Welcome to the party, Simon! You've signed on with a great bunch of enthusiasts. Although a few of us have to participate from many miles away, we still feel like we're part of the immediate gang.

It's good to see that you're working on your E-Type again. My observations have shown that the longer a car is apart reassembly becomes less likely as owners lose interest and/or parts. Good luck and please post photos.

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:32 pm

Simon

Welcome to the forum. You are in good hands with Hutsons - I have met Andy a couple of times and he was most helpful.

As to suggestions on cooling and exhaust I would say that all you need cooling wise on an E-Type is a Kenlowe fan to replace the original. Add some Water Wetter and you should have no problems providing the radiator is refurbished and hoses (cotton reinforced rubber NOT Kevlar or silicone) are new. The manifold/exhaust really depends on your budget and what you intend to do with the car. Classic Fabs probably make the very best but are more costly than some of the other stainless steel systems. If your engine is to original spec you could leave the original Jaguar cast manifolds (they are actually very well designed for the job) in place and add a big bore exhaust system. This will give you the best performance and torque balance. Adding an extractor manifold will increase horsepower but only at the upper end of the rev range and may reduce low down torque where you need it for road driving. Hence the Classic Fabs recommendation as their design overcomes this problem - check their web site for power graphs.

You may encounter a problem with the spare if it is also a 6" wheel - probably will not fit in the well. A 5" wide wheel will be needed if you want to replace the floorboards!

Peter B. · Post by **Peter B.** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:00 am

Hello Simon,

congratulations for not selling your e-type! It might have taken a lot longer than first expected, but I?m confident that that the rewards will make up for it, even for your wife.

Also have to adore your decision to keep it a coupe, personally I go for the 2+2 (due to two kids, but I also love the streched look).

Exhaust-wise I kept the original manifolds and added a ss-system from Bell, which fitted quite well. Two other suppliers had not been able to deliver matvhing parts twice. So now I?m quite happy with revs and torque, but due to my auto-transmission I?m more on the crusising side.

When it comes to cooling, I agree with Heuer, in nowadays traffic conditions, at least here in the area of Stuttgart in Germany, you desperately need additional cooling from a Kenlowe. My old one broke down in July and I had a very remarkebly trip home in more than 30 degrees C.....

6"x15" Daytons can be found on my cat, but I have the "strange" size of 225/60 which was already on the car when I bought it two years ago. So far I had no need to get off a wheel, so I have to see if it then will be necessary to let out air. Spare is still a 5"x15".
When it comes to the looks, I have to say that the wider wheels, that are far more out than the original ones, in combination with the tyres look very good to me (!) on my long-wheel-base 2+2. They might improve handling, not sure about that, but they certainly improve braking. Here I still stick to the original calipers (cruising....)
With that size I have had no problems with neither steering(slightly more power needed, no power-steering) nor suspension, still using the GAZ shocks that came with the car two years ago.

So look forward to finish the car and then take her (wife and cat) for a long and curvy ride!

Best reagds

Peter
p.s. sorry for my limited language abilities

Curtis Bay · Post by **Curtis Bay** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:27 am

Thank you for the response to me initial post and I am looking forward to getting the valued opinions of people who have actually done / tested modifications to their cars etc.

It seems, from reading the posts on the forum that almost everything I want do do to my car has been investigated to a high degree and the information on exhaust and cooling enhancements has made me realise there is lot of money to be wasted doing unecessry or detrimental 'enhancements'.

I will try to post some photos of the car so that anyone out there with a rusty / bodged E Type can draw some comfort from how bad my car was! There is hope.....

Regards, Simon.

Post by **Heuer** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:32 am

Peter B. wrote: So far I had no need to get off a wheel, so I have to see if it then will be necessary to let out air.

Peter

Strongly suggest you do take the wheels off at least once a year and check the splines for wear. You also need to remove all traces of grease and dirt and put fresh grease on (splines only, not beveled surfaces). Dust and grit get thrown up and works its way into the splines/wheels so you end up with a very effective grinding paste. Also gives you a chance to clean the inside of the wire wheels and check for damage or corrosion.

Moeregaard · Post by **Moeregaard** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:02 pm

I'm with David regarding wheel removal. The splines will benefit from regular cleaning and re-greasing, and frequent service will also allow any corrosion to be eliminated before it has a chance to "weld" the wheel to the hub. It's also an opportune time to re-pack the front wheel bearings and check the rears for wear.

Besides, it's just plain fun to take stuff apart...

p1vickers · Post by **p1vickers** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:41 pm

Simon 2

Welcome to the "club" and great that your keeping your Cat and giving her a new lease of life. I have just finish my 18 month rebuild and have completed much of what you are now just starting ( still have not got those blasted h/lamp rims to fit) it passed the MOT last Saturday and I can't stop driving it since.
My only mistake is that I found out about this forum at the very last stage of the rebuild, so read everthing that is on here now, as it will cover just about every problem you will come across.
Look forward to seeing the finished job

Best of luck

Regards

Peter
67 S1 2+2

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:06 pm

hello Simon,

welcome and congratulations for your E !
When you find time, please share some photos of your car and work

best regards

Erikantwerp · Post by **Erikantwerp** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:41 am

Hey Simon,

welcome to this crazy bunch of etype addicts !! Sounds like a great car !

cheers
Erik

chrisv · Post by **chrisv** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:59 pm

Simon,

I read your post with interest as I am in a similar stage of a restoration. I have acquired an abandoned restoration project and I'm in the process of starting the rather daunting task of restoration.

The car is a Series 2 RHD drophead I think had all the possible 80's bodges done such that, rather sadly, a new sub-assembly was put on.

I would be very interested in anyone who has have dealings with a good restoration workshop/paintshop in the South East.

I look forward to seeing some of your photos.

Chris

Car-Nut · Post by **Car-Nut** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:14 am

Simon,

Welcome to the "Family"

Interesting story and history about your car .

With that introduction thread David is going to have competition writting the longest threads now

Clive

Post by **Heuer** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:01 am

chrisv wrote:I would be very interested in anyone who has have dealings with a good restoration workshop/paintshop in the South East.
Chris

Look no further than the link on the top left of this page! Harry at E-Type UK has set himself the mission to be the the very best in all things E-Type. Give him a call.

Post by **Heuer** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 5:04 pm

Car-Nut wrote: With that introduction thread David is going to have competition writting the longest threads now

Clive

:(

:?

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

The 'E' Type Forum

Hello from a new memeber

#1 Hello from a new memeber

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6 Thanks for the welcoming commnets

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15