It's finally on the road.

Talk about the E-Type Series 1

Topic author
E-by'eck
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:53 am
Location: Norfolk UK
Great Britain

#1 It's finally on the road.

Post by E-by'eck » Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:49 am

1996....My 40th and finally my dream car had arrived. £8500 for a 1962 RHD Series One Roadster. The first picture says it all. Reasonably complete except for the bonnet but a total rust bucket.... . In fact the bootlid was the only piece of the bodyshell to survive....talk about your heart ruling your head. I was bonkers!! The best thing financially would have been to stick it in my garage and do nothing with it for 20years!! Back then the Martin Robey subassembly was £5250+vat!! Doesn't sound much now but it was the start of the cash mountain climb. 27yrs of restoration followed, interrupted by two serious house renovations.....but to finally finish it is heaven. I had considered a diy job for the trim for the last renovation lap, but sensibly put that idea aside and left the work to GB Classic Trim in Nuneaton. They have done a superb job for me and I couldn't speak highly enough of their attention to detail. The car was Red/Red originally. The Heritage Certificate states it was a Demonstrator at Henleys Main Jaguar Agents, Manchester.

Yes!! It has MX5 seats....more comfortable, especially with the reclining backs for a 6'1" lank like me. I still have the original roadster seats already similarly trimmed.
When purchased, the car had the later all-sync 4.2 box so it will never be "original" but I have left it as +ve earth and with points in the "dissy". I may come to regret those choices.

The forum was invaluable during the rebuild. So many clever and helpful members with great ideas for modifying and improving our cars. A very big thankyou to all of you for giving your time so freely. Examples are relay upgrades for brake lights, headlights, ignition switch were all incorporated. Series 2 front brakes. CoolCat fan. LED lighting (not headlights/brake lights). Hi-torque Starter, Electric Fuel Pump, Cambridge Motorsport radiator header. Time allowed me to fortunately acquire most missing parts as used originals over the years and restore them.

Just missed the 60th Celebrations with it but now its all about mileage on the clock and getting my knees accustomed to spending more time nearer my chest :bigrin: :bigrin: Image Image Image Image Image Image Image
E type renovation .... 1962 3.8 Ser1 RHD DHC
If you're going through hell, keep going. ~Winston Churchill

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

malcolm
Posts: 2393
Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:44 am
Location: Fleet
Great Britain

#2 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by malcolm » Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:53 am

The car looks great, well done
Malcolm
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

abowie
Posts: 3886
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:15 pm
Location: Australia
Contact:
Australia

#3 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by abowie » Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:08 am

Well done that man!
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

rswaffie
Posts: 1647
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2014 7:56 am
Location: Lincolnshire
Great Britain

#4 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by rswaffie » Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:31 am

Great work, enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Richard

Previous owner and restorer of a S1 3.8 FHC Opalescent Golden Sand with Tan Trim 889504 (now sold and headed for Athens)

:swerve: :wrench: :hammer: :fingerscrossed:

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

judgedamo
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 12:43 pm
Location: Sandbach Cheshire
Ireland

#5 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by judgedamo » Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:33 pm

Excellent, well done!
1965 S1 4.2 FHC

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

Philk
Posts: 711
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2016 7:48 am
Great Britain

#6 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by Philk » Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:44 pm

Many congratulations on the long haul. The end result looks stunning.

I too had my 3.8 OTS re-trimmed at GB Classic Trim. Graham and his team there are excellent and are masters when it comes to hood mechanism alignment and trimming.
Phil
1964 S1 3.8 OTS

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

bitsobrits
Posts: 416
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:09 am
Location: Omaha, NE area
United States of America

#7 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by bitsobrits » Wed Jul 28, 2021 2:15 pm

An amazing transformation. And an amazing example of perseverance and focus. From bonkers to canny in 25 years. :yellow:
Steve
'65 S1 4.2 FHC (early)

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


dxke38
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:13 pm
Location: norfolk
Great Britain

#8 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by dxke38 » Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:08 pm

Well done Graham. Your 40th birthday present has finally arrived. Didn't know Winston had an E Type. :drinkingcheers:
Derek
64 ser 1 fhc, 71 ser 3 2+2. Ser 3 now sold, looking for a new toy to keep Ser 1 company

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 8092
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#9 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by mgcjag » Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:27 pm

Great work....well done....why not bring it over to Angus,s open day.......see meet and greet section 14th Aug
..Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


265bhp
Posts: 839
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:29 pm
Location: surrey
Great Britain

#10 Re: It's finally on the road.

Post by 265bhp » Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:16 pm

Excellent…a mammoth achievement to keep up the commitment over so long a time…. :salute:
1963 3.8 FHC ..now finished …………….
1974 2.7 Carrera now as an RS Touring

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic