The 'E' Type Forum

Do any forum members know of a body jig available for checking the tub on an S3 OTS.?
I can’t see any seriously damaged areas but there were large quantities of filler all over the car, 17 1/2 kg to be precise!
I have the car stripped mechanically, ready for blasting and now is the only opportunity I will have to check it out, body paint prep starts ASAP
Thanks.Peter.

Peter, if you want a company to set the body up on a jig try Rod Jay RJ Panels near Bedworth.

Rod built my S3 roadster body some years ago and made an excellent job of it.

Kevin

Hi Peter...I havent heard of jig doing the rounds for home use.....there are body alignment measurements in the S3 service manual body section that should help......Steve

Kevin,
Thanks for the info.
BTW I asked CMC about putting on a jig...£970 +vat...phew, no mention of anything else...just to put if on!
P

Hi Peter, I don’t know what CMC charge per hour but I guess it reflects their reputation. There must be a couple of days work setting up the body on a jig. I would say really worth giving Rod a call even if only to get a comparison cost. He is a Jaguar apprentice trained sheet metal worker, all he does now is E Types - definitely worth a call and worth a visit just to see the quality of their work.

Incidentally Neville Swales has his workshop (or did) on the same site for added interest.

Regards,

Kevin

Ask around old skool bodyshops if they can do a DROP CHECK on your car.this will give a very precise measurement .not many people even know what it is or how to do it.

Peter ,I don't think it is necessary unless there is obvious signs of chassis / bulkhead damage or inner and outer cill replacement .
Set the tub up with a quality spirit level across the cills and front to rear,then check across the bulkhead - across the front frames and across the rear chassis legs , that will give you an accurate reading of any body twist--

Regards

Steve,
There are some signs of damage but not major, a dent in the footwell panel, sill replacement.?, when the engine frames came off they both gave a little “boing” as the last bolt came out...normal?
So I’ve put my survey laser on the places I can compare but these are trivial places and I can’t get parallel beams.
Hence the thought of a body jig. Drop checks mentioned by other members is an option if I can find a suitable bed. I could drop a plumb line onto the workshop floor and mark the points and then measure I suppose!
P