Early S1 Radio Console Rebuild

[Northwestern]

Dear All

I'm in the process of gathering up all the parts required to rebuild my Series 1 aluminium faced radio console. Can anyone confirm if the aluminium front plate was originally backed with thin plywood in the same way that the centre console is backed? I've also ordered a new trim kit and would appreciate some directions on how to trim this part. My original console was missing, replaced with some home-made effort that incorporated the original 1961-2 Radiomobile T50 radio, but the rest non standard Jaguar so I'm rather lost. I have a new frame and all the bits so keen to get stuck in. Pictures of this item in process of trimming up would be very helpful. Searched the net to no avail.

Paul
1962 S1 FHC and 1968 S1 OTS

[1954Etype]

Dear All

I'm in the process of gathering up all the parts required to rebuild my Series 1 aluminium faced radio console. Can anyone confirm if the aluminium front plate was originally backed with thin plywood in the same way that the centre console is backed? I've also ordered a new trim kit and would appreciate some directions on how to trim this part. My original console was missing, replaced with some home-made effort that incorporated the original 1961-2 Radiomobile T50 radio, but the rest non standard Jaguar so I'm rather lost. I have a new frame and all the bits so keen to get stuck in. Pictures of this item in process of trimming up would be very helpful. Searched the net to no avail.

Paul
1962 S1 FHC and 1968 S1 OTS

Paul, can't help you on the aluminium as I've never done one. One thing I would say though, make sure he console frame fits before you start trimming. You don't want a beautifully constructed, trimmed console that you have to start hacking about later!

[kingzetts]

I do not think the aluminium panel on the radio console was plywood backed. I can't guarantee mine was original but it did not have plywood backing and the replacement panel fitted fine without plywood. Sorry I did not take photos of the work.

[Dave K]

No it definitely wasn't, well I say that mine is a '61 and was a complete car when I got it with 43K on the clock although a PO had glued some beige trim over the front of the ali console it didn't look as though it had even been removed.

The centre console had the plywood stiffener behind it.

Dave

[Northwestern]

Thanks for the info chaps. It is odd, as the edges are folded to the exact same depth as the ply on the gear box tunnel. If anyone has photographs of the radio console being built up that would be of great help also. It is odd that with so much interest in E-Types there is not a "how to book" on trimming out all of the series cars. I'm certain it would be of benefit to many owners, rather than the raft of "histories" we all have weighing down our book shelves! Paul

PS If anyone is interested I have a couple of rare parts that need to find a good home. An aluminium dash, gear stick cover and centre console (missing the radio console cover) but in the rare "T" pattern that was fitted to cars from Oct 1962 for a short time before everything went vinyl. These items came from a wrecked Nov. 1962 roadster I acquired in the US many years ago.