The 'E' Type Forum

Hi, I bought my '68 S2 OTS back in September and, having now built an additional garage for it (a good excuse), I am finally starting to look at what needs doing to it.

Originally LHD, but returned to this country and been converted to RHD.

It's in pretty good condition, particularly the bodywork but, as with everything (particularly on a 48 year old car), folk do things to different standards - and you find things that don't seem quite right, or are just missing (such as the radiator header tank) !

This is a belated post, as I've already been in touch with 2 forum members already - another new US S2 owner (Mike - great guy, very helpful) and Angus - who was very helpful and seems like a thoroughly decent chap (I just wished he lived a bit closer !).

Anyway, two questions to start:

1. Can anyone recommend a good mechanic/workshop in the East Yorkshire/North Lincolnshire area ? Basically, East of Leeds ! Requirements are for an Angus type person in this area to carry out work on my car that is just a bit too much for me - eg convert from Stromberg to Triple SU, etc.

2. The glovebox is locked and, surprise, has no key. Any idea how I break into this without resorting to a locksmith or just breaking it ?

Many thanks,

Gary

Hi Gary,

I see you made it, welcome aboard 8)

Have you spoken to Andy @ Hutsons (Tel: 01274 669052) he may have a local "Angus" that he can put you in touch with ?

Hi Gary and welcolm to the forum.....im in the west midlands so a bit far from you re workshops but re the glove box the locks are very basic try a thin blade like the tiny pocket knives.....used in the 60s for starting most cars.....good luck with the car...and why not try to join us on the forum meet at Biscter....see general section

Try Ken Verity in Rotherham: 01709 838352

Gary, welcome to the forum. If you've been searching on here you'll see there's lots of very helpful people.

Good luck with your new car and keep us all posted of how you're getting with both work and pleasure.

Geoff, another S2 owner, but mine's a FHC

I had no key for my glovebox, so googled "locksmiths"
Found a local guy advertising that he could find keys for any classic car. Went round, and he just came out with a humungous bunch of keys and kept going 'til he found one that fitted. then cut me one, and charged me ?4!
just saying that it might be worth googling for local lock specialists

First point - there is no header tank on an S2 . The radiator should be a crossflow with 2 fans, and there should be a small overflow pipe leading to a sealed tank on the bulkhead - probably on the left side if this is a US car . The rad itself should have a non-pressure cap, and the pressure cap should be on the overflow tank. Welcome, anyway !

Gary - as others have said, the key and lock technology is fairly basic on these - if you have another key that fits the shape (ie goes in easily, even if it doesn't turn) you can try to break into it by pushing the key in and out fairly briskly while exerting a small amount of turning pressure.

The lock is basically a few tumblers kept in their place each with a small spring, which the right key will push upwards and allow you to rotate it to open. The turning pressure while stroking the key in and out should mean that as the tumbler goes upwards, there is sufficient rotational force on the lock barrel to overcome a 40-year old spring inside the lock and keep that tumbler out of the way. Eventually, you should be able to get all the tumblers lined up out of the way and rotate the lock. Clearly, this merely enables you to get into the glovebox - you will need to replace the lock and get a fresh key then!

It is slightly more complicated that that - as explained in this video - but you may get the drift of it from my explanation...... It can work!

Thanks for all the responses so far. I can imagine the locks were a tad basic, so will give it a go myself.

Oh and when I mentioned some things were missing, that includes anything on the bulkhead radiator wise !

Character building some would call it..

Glove box now open !

The old 60's credit card "key"....

Anything special inside

Once I'd removed the 2 carat diamond, there was nothing in it unfortunately...

Typical, makes you wonder why they locked it Lol !
Mine had a wooden participation plague tucked down the side of the glove box from fourth annual Newport (Rhode Island) Jaguar Festival May 28th 1978 which was an interesting time line to find 8)

Yes, bit of an anti-climax really.

But hey ho, it's open now.