The Big Cat LIVES!!!!

The Big Cat LIVES!!!!

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Esprit

Original Poster:

6,370 posts

290 months

Saturday 26th April 2003
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Hey all, don't usually post on here but since I've been doing a lot of Jaguaresque things lately I may as well start. For the last 5 years my father and I have been slowly bringing back to life a '64 S1 3.8L E-Type Roadster.... due to moving house, running a business etc the rebuild has taken far longer than expected but a major milestone was passed today when the engine was fired up for the first time!.. We're still a year or so off from completion with some minor mechanicals, the hydraulics, the glass, door latches and upholstery to go but what progress!
Due to problems with the manifolds we had to run it with only the manifolds and no exhaust so she sounded more Merlin-Engined Spitfire than XK-Engined Jag but oh what a sound... it's days like this that make these long rebuilds all worth while!
Have some pics I should post up sometime but they're all a couple of years old, hope to get some soon with the engine in.... and gotta get a sound bite of the engine running once we've mated up the exhaust properly..... can't wait til we finally roll her out finished!

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

273 months

Saturday 26th April 2003
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Sounds good, and I'd like to see some piccies.

I take it you've seen "A Car is Reborn" on Discovery?
Mark Evans restored a 4.2 Series 1 roadster. If you haven't, it may be worth trying to get it on video/dvd as I'm sure it'll give you even more motivation

Esprit

Original Poster:

6,370 posts

290 months

Saturday 26th April 2003
quotequote all
Yeah TwinTurbo, thankfully I've seen most of the episodes I think.... has some good bits in it, anything about rebuilding E-Types has to be a good thing!
Here are a few pics... they're about 2 years old but still give the general idea.... note that these were taken before the engine and many other bits and pieces were in so it's riding at the top of the suspension travel... now with most of the bits in it sits at normal ride-height.


Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

273 months

Saturday 26th April 2003
quotequote all
That's a pweedy puddy tat