Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Jaguar Classics: E-type rebuilds at a price!

Looking great.

You're absolutely right, I've seen more bad restorations than good ones.

And then there's the question - what is a "full restoration" ? In my opinion it means taking the car back to its component parts and returning everything back to "as built" condition (and hopefully better.)

That includes dismantling and rebuilding all mechanical and electrical components, including the gearbox and differential for example.

To do the job to that extent is a costly exercise and for the majority of cars it doesn't make financial sense.

My car still needs completing and a few details correcting but I'm certainly looking forward to seeing it completed, as is my bank manager !

Regarding the Jaguar restored cars, I've also spoken to a marque expert who confirms that they're not as "sharp" as they should be. Unsurprisingly it will take time for them to get the correct levels of knowledge and expertise in place.

Thanks for the progress pictures, it is looking a great car in the making.

Hi everyone,

Really interesting thread and by shear coincidence I was at my brother in law's place yesterday and he was dismantling an etype back axle assembly (differential, dive shafts etc etc).

His car is undergoing a complete nut and bolt rebuild (lucky boy is in the trade) using original parts and panels he squirrelled away years ago.

Seeing it in stripped down state left meI in awe. And the weight of that diff!

I'd love one.

Regards

The XKE is a lovely car to drive. Don't do too good a job restoring it or You will be afraid to drive it. I am lucky, I get to drive a Friend's XKE so long as I take Her (The Owner) with Me. NO PROBLEM!!!!!!! Actually, in the Summer, along with Her +4 it is Her daily driver.

Looks a lovely job

Just be aware that water will run down the inside of the membrane and leak out or pool between the door and the membrane. There are supposed to be deflect shields inside the door above the apertures, you may well have these fitted but very rarely are

I know what you mean. It's surprising how many "restorations" don't even have the membrane fitted let alone the drain shrouds.

The use of these door membranes has always mystified me somewhat. Obviously they are not there to protect the door, so therefore I had always assumed they were there to protect the inner face of the door card and its leather covering.

If that's the case, why did they never simply put the membrane on the inner face of the door card rather than on the door? Or is there another purpose that I'm not familiar with?

On the cars that I've owned in the past (admittedly none of them top-rank stuff like this E Type) whenever I've had to get to the window winder mechanism or whatever I've removed the membrane and waterproofed the inside of the door card instead with no apparent ill-effects. Not suggesting that this should be done in a proper restoration, just interested in the original logic of using the membrane.

I think you're right Tim. They present a waterproof barrier that both protects the door card and also stops water entering the car.

I suppose if it was just stuck to the door card it wouldn't be a complete seal and there would still be a possibility of water leaking onto the carpets etc.

Yes there are the drain aids at the bottom under the door but also shields within the door. rarely seen, I used some more membrane on the inside of the door.

As it happens water is leaking in by the pedals somewhere.. urgh