If you’re a frequent reader, you know that I am on a lifelong mission to repent for all of the E-types we parted out at the shop where I worked as a kid… If I had to guess I would say it was about 2 dozen or so – maybe a little less. What makes it so bad is that almost EVERY SINGLE ONE of them, looking back, was an E-Type that I could have repaired… Of course, this was all still about 3 years before I started welding, and I didn’t own them either…
So, I now find it kind of difficult to sell original parts on their own. We have accumulated quite a bit of stuff around here over the past few years, and what brings me more pleasure than anything else is gathering up a big pile of original stuff, and then saying to a worthy restorer, “OK – Here. This is a complete E-Type.”
Of course you need an identity and a title – I’m not just “inventing” E-Types (although I suspect that lots of people do!). What really happens is that I buy an abandoned project or partially parted out car with good papers, and then scrounge around for what’s missing in our ever-0expanding “pile” of original E-Type parts to make it complete again.
For example, earlier this month I purchased an E-Type that was complete, but missing the entire body, bonnet, frame rails, and front suspension. All of that stuff was discarded probably a quarter century ago because it was “rusty.” I have actually spoken to about half a dozen people who have the same pile, who say, “I threw the body out and figured I would just buy a new one…”
Once I go and get it (1,001 miles from here, by the way!), that “car” will be reunited with another restorable body shell and bonnet here, a complete front suspension from the Canada parts, and a new set of frame rails from E-Type Fabs. And Voila! – she’s back! I just can’t tell you how satisfying this little “side hobby” is to me – I love it!
So anyway, I’m looking around at what other carcasses and parts are here, and of course there might be 10 of one thing, but none of another, and from a pile of stuff that looks like you could build about 6 or 7 E-Types, there is not enough stuff to build one COMPLETE E-Type…
And so here is a list of a few things that I could use to get the next “orphaned” E-Type back together:
Complete E-Type IRS – What I really need is an E-Type IRS assembly in the cage, complete. Actually, I could probably use TWO! I do have 2 nice cages, a pair of halfshafts, some outer hub carriers, brake assemblies, etc., so I could probably get by with just the differential, OR I could use a “hot rod” Jag rear where someone has discarded the cage but still has the rest of the stuff… The center differential has to be E-Type or possibly from an XJS if the ratio is right – the XJ-6 differentials are not posi…
Any condition 3.8 E-Type Engine – A pretty tall order, I know, but I could use one, soup to nuts, carbs to pan… OR – I could use a period 3.8 engine from another Jag, as I do have the correct E-Type oil pan, timing cover, water pump, oil filter housing, cam covers, engine brackets, etc.
Series 1 or 2 Steering Arms – This is another long shot for the average hobbyist to have laying around, but I need some of these too… For all of the uprights and suspension pieces that I got out of Canada, I pretty much have NO steering arms! They bolt to the upright on one of the little wings that stick out, and the center spindle, and then sick out with a bend and have the tie-rod end going into them.
Series 1 switches and gauges – I have some, but not much. Most of the dash panels that I have on hand have had most of the gauges and switches removed years ago…
Series 1 4.2 seat bottoms – I have a great set of Series 1 4.2 seat backs and the 4 chrome hockey sticks on the sides out of Canada – but no bottoms. Judging by the condition of the other pieces, the bottoms were probably GREAT, and sold to someone years ago… I will take ANYTHING – I know a good welder…
Body shells and bonnets – We are ALWAYS looking for decent restorable body shells and bonnets – complete or whole! This actually has less to do with the “E-Type resurrection project”, and is more a constant need of our core metalworking business and customers.
Whatever you have! – I’m not a dealer, and so I’m not going to give you some big song and dance about how I want “ANYTHING – ANYWHERE – TOP PRICE PAID!!!” – that’s all a bunch of nonsense and it gets old… I’m just always looking for stuff to round out “the pile” and find it a good home back on a road-going E-Type! If you like what I’m doing here with these cars, and have some stuff that you think could add to the effort, contact me and I’d be happy to give you a fair price for the stuff – and keep you posted on where it eventually went!
Happy Holidays! – Chuck 🙂
