It's time for a little update on the Jag project.
I have decided, based on suggestions from friends and family, to do a first phase of this restoration in which I will do just enough to get the car running safely and then drive it some, maybe take it to a show or two while it has it's original paint and as much originality as I can preserve. As one friend said, "it is only original once", so it would be well to preserve it as much as possible. To make it drivable, save and reliable, all the electrical parts of the car will have to be cleaned and restored. Also all the hoses and belts. The carburetors and brakes will require complete restoration, and some of the rubber seals to keep water out of the car.
The windows regulators and all latches and locks will be looked at, the shocks and suspension will be checked. The steering will be restored as needed for safe, smooth function. I will check the engine to see if it can be put in running order without overhaul or rebuild, at least for a while. And the exhaust system may have to be replaced if it is rusted through. I will assume that the clutch, transmission and differential will be OK with just new fluids. If they make unusual noise or behave badly they will have to be restored.
The wheels are pretty rusty with many broken spokes. If these cannot be repaired with reasonable effort I will purchase a complete new set of wheels and, of course, new tires. You can't drive on bad wheels.
Inside the car everything having to do with the gauges and electrical switches will have to be restored to good working order. It looks like all the original components can be preserved. The dash top will be replaced and the steering wheel refinished.
Because I am finishing a large, 600 sq. ft. deck in my back yard there has not been much time for car restoration, but during some evenings and rainy days I can do a little. Here are two things I have accomplished in my evenings. Daimler certificate and steering wheel restoration.
Below is an image of the Jaguar-Daimler Heritage certificate for the car. The name of the first owner is given, and the car was first sold in New York City. It must have come to California fairly quickly. The certificate confirms that the paint and interior are still the original.
The steering wheel had become badly weathered. It was so badly cracked in places that you could see the aluminum ring through the cracks inside the laminated wood. I filled all the cracks with a urea-based glue mixed with sanding dust from other pieces of hardwood. After filling and sanding the surface was rubbed with paste wood filler and wiped with 5 coats of urethane finish, sanding with 1000 grit paper between coats.
The aluminum was badly pitted and required a good deal of hand sanding with increasingly finer grits finishing with 1500 grit paper and then polishing with a cotton wheel and two stages of rouge. You can now see your face clearly in the surface.
Of course, the shift knob was done at the same time. There are three things about an E-Type that contribute in a major way to its beauty, the road wheels, the engine when properly finished, and the steering wheel. This is the original wheel and looks rather nicer than an aftermarket replacement. I am glad I could save it.
By the way, did everybody notice at the end of the Royal Wedding last Sunday that Harry and Meghan drove away from Windsor in a 1868 Series 1.5 E-Type? I understand Harry's brother, at last year's wedding, also left for honeymoon in a 1961 E-Type. This is clearly the most desirable car in all of Britain, even after 50 years! These couples could drive any vehicle they wished, as long as it was British, and they chose the Jag!
