Early 4.2 trim in a 3.8

[mylesw]

Hello

I am told that my RHD 3.8 FHC built in March 1964 has early 4.2 trim in it. It's been mooted that this could be original as the car is a late 3.8. Of course the car is 50+ years old so it may well just be that the trim was changed out at some point in the past. Is there any evidence that Jaguar was installing early 4.2 trim into 3.8s and if so, could this have happened as early as March 1964? The car is currently being retrimmed so I have a choice to make about whether to keep the early 4.2 or go back to 3.8.

Thanks

Myles

[PeterCrespin]

See the Barn Find 64 3.8 pix in the General forum. That looks to have a Moss box gear knob but with luck you might have a 4-synchro box. Unlikely in March though. It's all listed by VIN number in the official TSB documentation I'm sure.

Pete

[christopher storey]

.Myles : I'm not sure what you mean by early 4.2 trim. If you are referring to the vinyl covered drop down panel and console, that was certainly fitted to 3.8 cars instead of the aluminium from c.late 1963 onwards

[mylesw]

Thanks for your advice. I'm not sure what early 4.2 trim means either. I think my trimmer might be confusing the post-63 3.8's with the early 4.2s. I had a look at the 'barn find' which has a chassis number very close to mine and also at similar chassis numbers on xkedata. So I can see the centre console changed along with the move away from the alu dash. Did anything else change at this time? Someone mentioned the chrome on the door cards maybe?

Thanks

Myles

[Magnidec]

Hi there, just read your post about 4.2 trim in a 3.8.
I had a 64 FHC 3.8 and yes they were fitted with many 4.2 trim parts. If you have questions about specific parts I'd be glad to help. If I can't answer from memory I'll check in my many resto guide books. Dr Haddocks book is excellent by the way.

[david muir]

I've got a March '64 3.8 E which has the covered dash/ cubby box between seats and door armrests. Has a Moss box.

[cdaubs]

Myles,
Pictures of the "trim" in question would certainly be helpful. I also have a very original '64 Coupe and would be willing to help you out as well.

[Magnidec]

Hi mylesw,
Your car would certainly have a black centre dash panel not aluminium, also a leather covered centre console and armrest cubby box underneath. Armrests were fitted by May 64 also. You would have had storage pockets under the B pillar, which were dropped for the 4.2 and you would have the full padded can't rail underneath the rear 1/4 lights. Because of this you would also have the 4.2 style beaded side panels around the wheel arch. The plain flat ones were dropped when the "fishtail" can't rails finished, roughly with the ally dash. You would also have chrome escutcheon scrolls at the base of the A pillar and chrome fixing ends on the dash grab handle. The top chrome on the door panel was also extended down the angled part by 64, but can't remember if the door end recess was upholstered around the interior light switch by then.
BAS International in Cwmbran Wales can give you all the detail and parts you need. Their experience is massive and many of the big name upholsterers buy their materials from BAS anyway.
Hope any of this helps but if you have something particular just shout.
By the way mine was chassis 861471 on xke data
Cheers
Howard