Good evening gentlemen

[markc555]

After a fairly short search I've recently bought myself an E-Type 8)

Over the past few months I've been reading up on all things E both here and on the other sites. I even chipped into a conversation about the blue S2 Coupe currently for sale at DD Classics as I took a look at that car to gauge what my money would buy me. Insurance demanded I join a specialist club and so I picked this one.

My "new" car is a '69 S2 Coupe finished in lovely Opalescent Maroon with a tan interior. The car has recently been liberated from a collector in New Jersey who at the age of 84 was disposing of his collection. The car was restored in the US and completed in 2006. Since then it has done very little covering less than 2 thousand miles. There are few things to fiddle with and tidy but the car is essentially ready for extensive use.

The car was originally supplied with factory a/c which I believe was only available on LHD cars? This appealed to me as some summer touring is on my list of things to do in the E. My experience of old closed coupes in summer weather means it's a hot and sweaty experience unless windows are wide open which can prove tiring and deafening after a several motorway hours. We have a 2nd home in Burgundy and 350 mile journey from Calais really needs doing on the Autoroute to make good time making both the LHD and a/c attractive features. The US spec 3.54 diff isn't ideal for that journey so I can see a 5spd gearbox in my future although no for a while.

I used the car to take in the Goodwood Revival (Sunday) and the Jaguar themed day Hartley Whitney last Sunday where was among approx 25 other E-Types.

I look forward to meeting some of you at the various classic car events where of course the E-Type is more than welcome :)

Here are a couple of pics...






Cheers

Mark

[malcolm]

Welcome! Nice looking car. Does it have the UK 3 SUs, or the USA stromberg arrangement?
The 5 speed box would be a way of getting motorway legs, or alternatively you could source a 3.07 diff which will do the same, but in a more original way. I find the engine doesn't need the 5 speeds because the torque is so god, and the 3.07 gives me 70mph at 2800 revs. The French limit of 80ish mph would stil only be 3200 revs.

[SEJohnson95]

Hi Mark :) I like the maroon, Richard's is maroon and it's a very classy colour, especially with a beige or tan interior. You could always try the 2.88 diff swap, we were considering it with the 3.8 as she came with a Getrag 5 speed, but the acceleration is compromised slightly with the 2.88 and overall the 3.07 is fairly good actually. That's what's in the 4.2, with the standard 4 speed.

[Heuer]

I have a 2.88 diff which is great for high speed cruising but a pain around town or slow moving traffic. You also need a goose'd engine to make it work otherwise it will bog down. Best option is a 3.07 diff with the standard Jaguar box. Finding a 5 speed that works reliably and is a pleasure to use is difficult these days. Top of the list would be the Medatronics Borg Warner JT5 but you may have difficulty getting one in the UK. The E-Type Fabs 5 speed is available but I found the change notchy and tiring to use. The Getrag 5 speed is a very poor match to the E-Type so best avoided. Install a 3.07 and stick with the Jaguar 4 speed would be my advice although the change on the Borg Warner 5 speed is sublime.

[markc555]

Thanks chaps,

I do love the colour, it really comes to life in bright sunlight 8) I'm a sucker for metallic pearl colours as my Imola Orange Pearl Honda NSX, Imperial Blue Ford Racing Puma and Ford Ultimate Green Westfield all help prove.

The car is on the original US spec Strombergs and will stay that way under my ownership. I won't be doing any racing and so won't need the extra 20hp, at the top of the rev range of course, that the SU's offer.

My upgrade money will eventually go on a 5spd conversion. I rather like the current set of ratios in "normal" driving, they feel just right for B roads, and changing the diff ratio will mess with all of them. It's just when you get on the motorway and settle at 81mph (Autoroute officer) that I feel like an extra ratio is needed. If I were doing it today I'd go with the Medatronics kit and 0.63 5th ratio but the options may evolve between now and when I'm ready.

I'm pretty handy with the spanners so will do most mechanical fettling myself, including any eventual gearbox replacement (engine out).

Cheers

Mark

[Heuer]

All European spec E-Type's had either a 3.31 or, eventually, a 3.07 diff. The 3.54 was introduced for the USA market because their speeds were lower and they were interested in the 0-60 time for drag racing. In practice the difference in acceleration is negligible as the torque of the XK engine provides more than enough grunt whatever gear or revs you are doing. Changing the rear diff ratio is comparatively easy compared to fitting a 5 speed (engine out job) and it gives you the chance to overhaul the IRS whilst you are at it.

[SEJohnson95]

Some lights the maroon can look a little dark but when you catch it right it really suits her. A few of the best ones I've taken at various points

[spanish 2+2]

Hi Mark, nice looking S2 you've got there, you don't see many in that colour, enjoy.

[Zei220]

Ive very recently changed the 3.54 diff for a 2.88 out of a XJS, really easy to do if you have acces to a lift.

[markc555]

Assuming those 2 pics are of the same car, mine does the same thing i.e. goes lighter and sparkles in bright sunlight :)

Other things on my list of improvements are...
New steering wheel as my original is a bit flex'y. Possibly go for the slightly thicker 15" option Barratts sell.
Re enamel the exhaust manifolds as they look scruffy and out of place when you lift the bonnet.
Investigate rear light/number plate options. I have been reading the other threads on this but am not convinced which way to go yet.
Probable headlamp upgrade along the lines of Davids high power wiring and relays.

Other than that just drive and enjoy.

Cheers

Mark

[RogerM]

Hi Mark,
We were next to each other at Hartley Witney.
My FHC is also American but has been converted to UK Spec. Two years ago I fitted an E Type fabrications 5 speed gearbox and the results are fantastic. It is a straight replacement with no structural mods although the mounting is different, but supplied by ETF. I would thoroughly recommend this improvement, it gives a great performance and improved fuel consumption on the motorways.

[SEJohnson95]

Assuming those 2 pics are of the same car, mine does the same thing i.e. goes lighter and sparkles in bright sunlight :)

Mark

Yep, same car.. She looks a bit more purple in this one but I think that's just the nature of the colour

[markc555]

Hi Roger, nice to meet you again if only virtually this time around. I did say I turn up here soon :)

I didn't catch on that you had the ETF 5spd 'box. It sounds like a good option. The E on their homepage is the same colour as mine, an omen perhaps :D

This pic of my car on a ramp, I wanted a good look underneath pre-purchase, shows how the colour lightens even under artificial bright light.



Cheers

Mark