Got there eventually!

[H7OB]

Well, after a lot of looking, reading and researching, we got there in the end! Eventually found a fabulous S1.5 2+2.

The expensive structural & paintwork has been done (naive newbie statement alert!?) Im finding lots of new parts, nuts and bolts, lovely, original looking paint under all the carpets and trim etc. The body and exterior paint is excellent and fresh. It just needs the last 5 -10% finishing, which is exactly what I'll enjoy! It runs really well, with the exception of losing a bit of coolant down the block, from the head gasket, so that's the next job. It seems not to be mixing oil and water luckily.

Ive spent a few weeks finding my way around and getting to know the car. Ive just re-pinned the doors (it seems I'm not the 1st!) so will be re-hanging those next as well as trying to improve the shuts. Ive also just replaced the resonators and last two sections of exhaust, as well as the joys of trying to make 2 tail pipes align! I've started to realise that jobs take a little bit longer as I keep finding myself stopping to take a look at the car!

The main winter job I'm planning is a retrim. It's actually passable but its neither leather nor the original colour so now's the time to get on with it. A friend of mine who's a bit of a craftsman in that field might help me out with a bit of luck!

My little Elan +2 had to go to make room unfortunately, but that sold quickly to a Lotus enthusiast. Onwards and upwards! It leaves me with a few months to get her ship shape ready for the spring. My 3 & 5 yr olds are already very keen! The great thing is my wife is nearly as excited about the new addition as I am! That reminds me, I've not been and checked on it in the garage since this morning!

[Series1 Stu]

Congratulations on your new addition. It's a shame your lotus had to go though.

Enjoy the process and you'll feel more attached to the car after all your efforts.



Regards

[mgcjag]

Hi Paul...great news....enjoy....Steve

[Gfhug]

Paul, great news.
If you're re-trimming then there are good reports of the various companies who provide the bits and will also do it for you. e.g. BAS, Aldridge to name but two. Suggest you ask a question or two here first.

Geoff

[christopher storey]

Paul : it is interesting to see that the car does not have the door and B post chrome strips. I have never liked these on the 2+2 as they look rather heavy, and the absence here makes it look more like a FHC - indeed you have to look twice to see that it is NOT a FHC ! Very nice looker - enjoy it all

[chrisfell]

“That reminds me, I've not been and checked on it in the garage since this morning!”

After nearly 16 years I still do this.

[H7OB]

Thanks all! Great to finally, officially join the gang!

Geoff, I’ve been looking into the known interior trim suppliers as well as seeing what my mate comes back with. He has a load of experience of classic & OEM trimming and is starting shorter weeks so I’ll try to keep him busy! I’m also not averse to trimming the simpler, flat components.

Christopher, I agree with the door brightwork. Whilst it’s not original I like the way it helps the body to glass ratio on the 2+2 in the favour of the body.

So, it’s half term, Ive taken holiday, so how do I keep an eye on a lively 5 yr old and refit my doors?!

[Gfhug]

So, it’s half term, Ive taken holiday, so how do I keep an eye on a lively 5 yr old and refit my doors?!

Ideal age and size to get to all those fiddly and hard to get to areas. e.g. refitting the windscreen wiper rack and the washer jets

Geoff

[Jeremy]

Probably more important to get those chimneys cleaned - winter will soon be upon us.....

[H7OB]

Probably more important to get those chimneys cleaned - winter will soon be upon us.....

Yep, what nipper doesn’t love being dangled by the ankle down a chimney?! I even did it before I lit the fire this time!

[PeterCrespin]

Paul : it is interesting to see that the car does not have the door and B post chrome strips. I have never liked these on the 2+2 as they look rather heavy, and the absence here makes it look more like a FHC - indeed you have to look twice to see that it is NOT a FHC ! Very nice looker - enjoy it all

Agree totally. The door chromes make the window look deeper than it is, AKA they make the already
tall glasshouse look taller than it is. Had I persisted with the shell I sold Carsten I would have deleted the external trims and relied on the unique to 2+2 chrome beading, on the horizontal glass wiper seal. I wonder why they didn't use the chrome glass wiping seal on the FHC, rather than have chrome around three sides of the door window and zero brightwork along the bottom edge? I Photoshopped a few profile photos of various 2+2s to delete the trims and the car always looked better.

[H7OB]

I assume Jaguar were less concerned with current design trends of shallower glass, deeper bodysides and more with creating a bit of differentiation from the coupe in the glass / brightwork. Either way, despite not being a coupe, it's still one of the most beautiful 2+2s I can think of! TBH, in hindsight, I'd never considered whether I'd have to chose between the two when my wife and I started having conversations about starting a family!! Maybe best not to start thinking about such things!!

BTW Peter, fascinated by your Norton avatar! I have a not very standard Guzzi Le Mans and a not very standard XS650 which are both lots of fun!

[PeterCrespin]

The smart money is on 2+2s as the demographic gets too old and fat to climb into SWB cars :-) Excellent for kids too, of course - i.e. carrying, not conceiving!

Loved my two Guzzis. Had an S3 that was like stretching out over a Merlin engine. Had a 1000 Spada after that but actually did more Euro touring, with wife, on the 750.

The Avatar is the Covenant Commando for which I developed the Covenant fork conversion that I sold all over the world to suit most Roadholders. Kits are still being sold by RGM for zero royalties! Am actually thinking of selling that bike if interested. Off list is better.

Pete