The 'E' Type Forum

Hi,

Had an original thought or perhaps not so original? Let's see.
Must folks would agree that the toggle switches are the main highlight of the S1 dashboard, although the start motor and key slot are a nice touch also.

Howabout using some milled alu front casing (as in early S1s) along the lower strip only where the S2 switches are and replacing the rockers with a line of toggles? Would require some fiddling around to hook up the connections correctly. But would surely look a whole lot cooler than the rocker switches whilst maintaining most of the S2/S3 originality and with a "nod" towards the S1 set-up ? Why do this instead of replacing the upper and lower middle/radio consoles? Well, you would not need to replace & modify the lower radio console; and nor would you need to modify (i.e. extend and re-trim) the gearbox tunnel that separate the two front seats.

Am I mad or does it make some sense? Thoughts, reactions welcome to my "cunning plan" ! :)

You are indeed Mad!

if you want S1 switches, buy an S1 ! :D

Meonstoke wrote:Hi, Had an original thought or perhaps not so original? Let's see. Must folks would agree that the toggle switches are the main highlight of the S1 dashboard, although the start motor and key slot are a nice touch also.

Am I mad or does it make some sense? Thoughts, reactions welcome to my "cunning plan" ! :)

I fitted a complete S1 dash to an S2 because I had a new S1 wiper motor which I wanted to use, plus a salvaged S1 harness to make it happen. It follows that S1 switches won't work with your later electrical system, although eventually anything is possible...

Hi Technical issues aside....its your car do as you want. As to originality...I think thats only relevant if you plan to sell the car in the next 10 years...and in any case keep the original parts so it can be swapped back if needed. The etype evolved in lots of ways during its life...if you are happy not to be a purist go for what you want...as long as its reversible.
Angus will be doing lots of mods for my S2...not only to meet my design criteria ie covered headlights but also (in my mind) to make it a little more driveable every day and for long journeys...in the end its each to his/ her own
David

ernie wrote:Hi Technical issues aside....its your car do as you want. As to originality...I think thats only relevant if you plan to sell the car in the next 10 years...and in any case keep the original parts so it can be swapped back if needed. The etype evolved in lots of ways during its life...if you are happy not to be a purist go for what you want...as long as its reversible.
Angus will be doing lots of mods for my S2...not only to meet my design criteria ie covered headlights but also (in my mind) to make it a little more driveable every day and for long journeys...in the end its each to his/ her own
David

Thanks David, folks.

Ok, so that's confirmed then. I am Mad! :) I guess I fall into the "tinkering" class of folks and try not to follow the maddening crowd whenever I can. Yes, fitting a S1 dashboard and modifying the transmission tunnel and radio console etc would be the obvious thing to do - but that's my point. If I get round to making a mock-up I'll post it to gauge the reaction, no pun intended...

Bear in mind you will have to butcher the centre dash panel to clear the toggle switches so the mod might not be reversible. Actually I quite like the S2 rocker switches because they have a solid positive action and at least line up properly which cannot be said for the toggles which tend to twist and fall in different positions. Having said that there is a complete alloy centre dash on eBay at the moment which you could play with: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-e-type ... SwFGNWSLNn

Still think you are mad though, the S2 dash is just as much a classic design as the toggle switches!

Heuer wrote:Actually I quite like the S2 rocker switches because they have a solid positive action and at least line up properly

Still think you are mad though, the S2 dash is just as much a classic design as the toggle switches!

Couldn't agree more, David

Geoff

Thanks David for the advice and tip.