Aluminium Finisher Panel

Duncan - Mark 1 Man · Post by **Duncan - Mark 1 Man** » Tue May 14, 2013 5:57 pm

I am a long time Jaguar fan running a 1959 3.4 (Mark 1 saloon) I have just joined as a new member as I am actively looking for a Series 1 3.8 roadster to add to my Mark 1. How big a job and how costly is it to replace the leather dashboard panel and centre console with aluminium? One car I have looked at is a late 3.8 but built after the change.

Any other advice about what to look out for would also be appreciated.

Thank you

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:01 pm

Duncan been a while since I did mine but all the aluminium panels have lugs on which simply clip over the panels.
Not a big job maybe a couple of day taking it steady, I say a couple of days because I can only work on the car in the evenings.
Last time I looked the repro panels cost around ?140.

Dave

Post by **Heuer** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:24 pm

Last time I looked the panels were no longer available! Seems the guy who produced them has passed away. Check with SNG or Hutson's as they will give you an honest answer as to availability. At least one Company I know of was advertising them and taking your money then telling people they were on 'back order'.

Duncan - can I ask why you want to change the dash panels over? Jaguar got rid of them because they reflected sunlight into the drivers eyes. Not such a big problem on the FHC but a pain on the OTS - I get problems with reflections off the steering wheel spokes and wiper arms (something Jaguar also changed on the S2 cars). Got to admit the alloy panels do look period though. Welcome to the Forum by the way - lots of friendly advice and information here.

Edit: I see there is someone offering the alloy dash kits on eBay for ?250. http://tinyurl.com/bqkcq4s Still urge caution though as they don't look to have the dot pattern.

Edit 2: SNG are showing the kit "Back in stock soon" - ?205 + VAT, which could mean a year or more. It is getting the dot pattern correct which is the major problem.

christopher storey · Post by **christopher storey** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:41 pm

It is purely a personal view but I have always thought that the early cars were spoiled by the alloy finishers because by Jaguar standards it made them look cheap and nasty ! The later interior is much more in keeping with Jaguar standards of finish and is much more durable because the alloy tends to scratch noticeably

Post by **Heuer** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:57 pm

As to what to look out for in buying an early car it is a bit of a minefield for the unwary. Prices of S1 OTS's seem to be going up rapidly by the month so you have to watch out for the unscrupulous who want to take advantage of that. If you find a car you are interested in put a link or some photos on the Forum any you will get some honest and forthright opinions and advice. First bit of advice is to be especially careful of anything painted red.

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Tue May 14, 2013 7:26 pm

When I needed one for mine which was the gearstick gaiter part I managed to get the lads at Robeys to sell it as a single part since something else was also missing from the kit.
Looks like ?140 was a bargain but that was about 10 years ago.

Do Martin Robeys still sell them?

Dave

Duncan - Mark 1 Man · Post by **Duncan - Mark 1 Man** » Tue May 14, 2013 8:29 pm

Everyone has been very helpful with their replies. I am a bit unsure whether I have responded to each person, if not my apologies. I am not the world's best with technology!

I will follow up all the suggestions made.

Thank you

Post by **Heuer** » Tue May 14, 2013 9:03 pm

No need to follow up individually Duncan - let us know how you get on and don't be afraid of asking more questions.

andrewh · Post by **andrewh** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 7:28 pm

christopher storey wrote:It is purely a personal view but I have always thought that the early cars were spoiled by the alloy finishers because by Jaguar standards it made them look cheap and nasty ! The later interior is much more in keeping with Jaguar standards of finish and is much more durable because the alloy tends to scratch noticeably

Ouch! I only just saw this. Are you on the same planet as the rest of us? It and the bucket seats is one of the reasons to seek out a 3.8 IMHO of course

Post by **1954Etype** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:25 pm

andrewh wrote:
christopher storey wrote:It is purely a personal view but I have always thought that the early cars were spoiled by the alloy finishers because by Jaguar standards it made them look cheap and nasty ! The later interior is much more in keeping with Jaguar standards of finish and is much more durable because the alloy tends to scratch noticeably
Ouch! I only just saw this. Are you on the same planet as the rest of us? It and the bucket seats is one of the reasons to seek out a 3.8 IMHO of course

Fickle bunch aren't we? I agree with Chris, the early cars look unfinished to me. Ok, I'll get my coat...

Duncan - Mark 1 Man · Post by **Duncan - Mark 1 Man** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:26 pm

I have to agree with andrewh as the bucket seats and aluminium dashboard are the main reason for me looking for an early 3.8 roadster. The 3.8 is just such a pure car.

I hope to have good news to post very soon about the new stablemate to my Mark 1.

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

The 'E' Type Forum

Aluminium Finisher Panel

#1 Aluminium Finisher Panel

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7 Aluminium Finisher Panel

#8

#9

#10

#11 Aluminium Dashboards