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#1 A question about jacks
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:45 am
by lopena
Can someone on the forum tell me when Jaguar started dating the Metallifacture jacks? Mine is dated “7 68”, but I’ve seen several undated versions.
Many thanks as always,
Alan
N.J.

#2 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:51 am
by mgcjag
Hi Alan...lots of info here that may help....Steve
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8187
#3 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 11:01 am
by Heuer
Everything we know about jacks can be found in the Factory Fit thread. It covers Shelley and the various versions of the Metallifacture jacks:
viewtopic.php?p=34968#p34968
The jacks were dated by Metallifacture not Jaguar and that practice occured much later on in production so jacks produced before about 1968 did not have a date stamp.
#4 Let’s trade jacks!
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:01 pm
by lopena
Thanks to all for the very useful information regarding Metallifacture jacks.
Since I have a 1964 OTS, the jack that I have obviously isn’t correct. Therefore I am willing to trade my separate-handled jack, in very nice original condition, for an appropriate jack with the attached handle. And, yes, I am willing to throw in some quid (or dollars or euros) to equalize things.
So, if you have an attached-handle jack and you would like a separate handle jack contact me and we’ll have a conversation.
Many thanks as always,
Alan
N.J.
alanlopena@hotmail.com

#5 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 9:06 am
by dxke38
My 1964 FHC which I have owned for 47 years still has the original jack which has a separate handle. Just thought I'd put that out there.
#6 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 11:37 am
by lopena
Derek:
What you just told us goes against everything I ever read or researched about Series 1 jacks. Are you 110% sure your separate-handle jack was original equipment on your 1964 FHC?? Is there a chance the jack was replaced during the first 9 years when you didn’t own the car?
If true, that would make my life considerably easier since separate-handle jacks are easier to find!
Many thanks as always,
Alan
N.J.
#7 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:52 pm
by Heuer
If you are stuck you can easily convert your current Jack to the earlier Metallifacture design. Richard Smith sells the conversion kit.
viewtopic.php?p=61042#p61042
#8 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 1:08 pm
by dxke38
As with every question re early E Types there is no way that I can claim to be sure of the history of my car during its first 9 years, but I bought the car in 1973 and the jack and handle were in an original jack bag along with the other tools etc and I have never doubted their originality. The car is a 3.8 first registered April 1964.
I don't mind finding out that I'm wrong but it does pose the question.
#9 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 1:34 pm
by Heuer
The Metallifacture jack with the separate handle was introduced in early 1965.
#10 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 3:07 am
by lopena
Heuer wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:52 pm
If you are stuck you can easily convert your current Jack to the earlier Metallifacture design. Richard Smith sells the conversion kit.
viewtopic.php?p=61042#p61042
Sadly, Richard Smith no longer sells the conversion kits. Does anyone know of another source?
Thanks,
Alan
N.J.
#11 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 7:55 am
by Philk
dxke38 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 1:08 pm
As with every question re early E Types there is no way that I can claim to be sure of the history of my car during its first 9 years, but I bought the car in 1973 and the jack and handle were in an original jack bag along with the other tools etc and I have never doubted their originality. The car is a 3.8 first registered April 1964.
I don't mind finding out that I'm wrong but it does pose the question.
Your post is interesting. I have been researching this since my car is a June 1964 3.8 and, it too, has a separate ratchet handle from the jack itself which meant I have been under the assumption it has had its jack replaced with a later model. I've been searching through the various bulletins issued and information is scarce. In January 1965, bulletin M30 refers to the introduction of a re-designed jack for Mark 10 and S-Type saloons. There is no mention though of E-Types in this bulletin. Could they have been introduced earlier? Does anyone have access to any other documentation on this?
#12 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2025 4:09 am
by xk140
I am in the process of fully updating my paper on Series 1 3.8 & 4.2 E-type Tool Kits, hopefully to be published/printed hard copy before Christmas this year. It will fully detail ALL inclusions in the E-type Tool Kit, thus including the Wheel Changing Equipment, including the Jack.
The new cantilever-design Jack introduced from June 1962 onwards, as made by
Metallifacture, was allocated Jaguar Part No
C.20661. This basic C.20661 Jack evolved in detail of construction and appearance over the next 8 years that I identify major changes as variants, thus C.20661/a and C.20661/b, but also identify minor changes as sub-variants, thus C.20661/a1, /a2 and /a3, and C.20661/b1 and /b2. So all up over these six years there are five different variations of the 1962 to 1970 3.8 & 4.2 and Series 2 E-type Jack (as used on OTS and FHC models only, noting 2+2 E-types had a different C.25183 Jack)
For your June 1964 E-type (I only refer to a cars Date-of-Manufacture, and not date of first registration or similar imprecise dates) you should have a
C.20661/a2 Jack.
The C.20661/a Jack is immediately identifiable by having an INTEGRAL/Folding Ratchet Handle, and not the separate reversible Ratchet Handle. The /a2 subvariant shows the stamping on top of PATENT No. 903079 and the design/manufacturing detail of the integral Ratchet Handle having the 'bent-rod' lever that changes the direction of ratcheting, sitting on a FLAT surface, and not being located within a cast groove or guide - see attached photos showing the /a2 subvariant detail...
Happy to answer any follow up questions...
#13 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 7:59 am
by Maikel
You all know who has them.
Original, with or without bag. In used or near mint condition, from 61 till 70, all the tools, jacks, manual sets and key fobs.
Only obstacle: They do cost some money
Kind regards
Maikel
Roger, I am looking forward to your new edition
#14 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2025 3:34 am
by xk140
G'day Maikel,
Sadly I am not going to achieve my targeted Christmas deadline, for release of my new book on
1961 to 1968 3.8 & 4.2 E-type TOOL KITS as I had hoped - other priorities have gazumped my time line. But to keep booklet in my preferred format and stapled card cover binding quality, I am limited to 60 pages plus cover, thus Series 2 and V12 E-type Tool Kits will have to be a future Volume. see draft FRONT COVER

#15 Re: A question about jacks
Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2025 6:44 am
by Maikel
Hi Roger,
cover looks promising. As it is not your 24/7 job, we all understand that things can get delayed. Better having it all correct and some week later. I know how time consuming it is.
Still looking forward to have the final result on my desk.
Merry Christmas
Maikel