New member. C type project

[C type]

Hi All,

First post, so please be gentle. I hope I've posted this in the correct section.

I've always been fascinated with the Jaguars, in particular sports racing cars, but owning a real one is the stuff of dreams, so the closest I'll get is a replica. I've decided to build a C-type, as I believe it's easier to get something close in feel to the original than with a D-type.

I don't have a 6 figure budget to go out and buy an FIA approved aluminium recreation. I think realistically, I'm going to have to go for a GRP kit, as I can't afford an aluminium body. I'm not out to convince anyone that it's an original car, I just want something that feels close to the way a genuine C-type drives and looks the part, at least from a distance. I want to build it myself too, partly because it's fun, and it will make the whole thing more financially achievable. I think this narrows my choices down to kits from Suffolk, Nostalgia and Realm. I have the 3.4 engine, gearbox and back axle from a MKII to use as a basis. I think this rules out the Realm kit as that's IRS based. Anyway, I'd prefer a live axle as that's what the original had, even if it is technically inferior. I'm currently favouring the Suffolk kit as it's dimensionally accurate and uses torsion bar front suspension, again like the original, so hopefully the finished car will handle like the original.

I'm looking for opinions on the pros and cons of the various kits. Are there big differences in the way they drive & feel, the quality of the design & manufacturing etc? Has anyone had any dealings with the different kit/replica companies? I've already been to visit the Suffolk factory and see the cars in more detail. I was impressed with the set-up there, but haven't signed on the dotted line yet. It's going to take me several months/years to get through this project and require a significant outlay for me, so I want to make sure I make the right choice.

Many thanks in advance,

Tom

Edited by C type on Monday 29th April 20:28

[nta16]

Tom, hi, welcome

Tony and one of two others will be able to give you loads of info when they see the thread

ETA: you could also do a PH Search as there's been detailed info given on this subject before

[DanCat]

I know its not a c, but there's a d type part completed car in next months Bonhams. Rolling shell, rebuilt(?) engine but no I'd.
I think the reserve, not that it means much, was around 10-15k.
Might be worth a look

[VetteG]

DanCat said:

I know its not a c, but there's a d type part completed car in next months Bonhams. Rolling shell, rebuilt(?) engine but no I'd.
I think the reserve, not that it means much, was around 10-15k.
Might be worth a look

Got to be worth a look especially as you are not expecting an original example since it may be rejected by the big money purists (the emphasis on may), I've been to a few auctions where I've seen cars go at knockdown prices, kicking myself for not registering for fear of divorce!

G

[Ctype]

Thanks for the replies.

That's interesting. Do you have a link to the auction? Only one I can find that fits the description is this which I've just missed.

http://bonhams.com/auctions/20926/lot/341/

As you say, obviously overlooked judging by its final price. It would need more work to make it look more authentic, Dunlop wheels for a start, but it's a good starting point.

Cheers,

Tom

[lowdrag]

PM me OP please. I'd rather discuss privately.

Tony

[Ctype]

Thanks Tony. I don't appear to be able to use the email function yet as I'm a new member. It tells me I have to wait 24 hours, so I'll try again this evening.

Regards,

Tom

[lowdrag]

Fine. Rather interestingly that D-type sold for £16,100 which given the kit price and the work already put in is cheap. However there was a sting in the tail of the description:-

Left uncompleted because of its owner's advancing years, the car is offered with sundry restoration paperwork, no registration document and sold strictly as viewed.

If this is then treated as a new build it falls foul of the SVA rules, all 203 pages of them, and doesn't qualify as tax free either. Have a read here before contemplating:-

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/kit-cars-a...

I'll discuss more when I hear from you.

[DanCat]

Sorry to get your hopes up! That was the car.

[jagracer]

lowdrag said:

Fine. Rather interestingly that D-type sold for £16,100 which given the kit price and the work already put in is cheap.

That seems quite expensive TBH although it gives me more hope of selling mine for a decent price.

[Jagmanv12]

I was at the auction yesterday and the story was that the DVLA had inspected the car and then cancelled the V5. As the engine number is from a 3.8 MK10 it is possible the V5 was from the same car.
There was a lot of work still required - no ali panels in engine bay, no interior, wrong wheels, wrong speedo, etc.

[lowdrag]

Just shows how tough the DVLA are getting. There are ways of building a replica, but it is no longer easy. I wouldn't like to go through building my C-type today and in fact I don't think it could possibly be built again since the SVA regs came out.

[Ctype]

I think getting the car registered is one of the more difficult aspects of the project. I want everything to be above board, and don't want to cut corners to getting it all legitimate and legal. I'd hate to finish the build, only to find it was impossible to register. It all seems complex stuff.

Cheers, Tom

[bigblock]

Jagmanv12 said:

I was at the auction yesterday and the story was that the DVLA had inspected the car and then cancelled the V5. As the engine number is from a 3.8 MK10 it is possible the V5 was from the same car.
There was a lot of work still required - no ali panels in engine bay, no interior, wrong wheels, wrong speedo, etc.

There was a DVLA amnesty a few years ago that allowed owners of kit cars or modified cars that were not correctly described on the V5 to rectify this.

In the instance of the D type replica if it was still registered as the donor vehicle, possibly a MK10 Jag, then it would fall foul of the regulations and the DVLA could withdraw its registration. The new owner would then have to re-apply for a new registration and the vehicle would be subject to the current IVA test which is particularly onerous for older type vehicles.

[Steve57]

my dad has just so;d (oct last year) his proteus C type rep. was gutted TBH but health issues meant he hadnt used it for a few years,now he has recovered somewhat he has now got an XK140 to tinker with.

http://www.classic-auctions.com/Auctions/05-12-201...