S2 OTS back on road after 26 years

[jaglover842]

Hi all,

S2 4.2 Primrose Yellow OTS cream hood - now breathing fresh air again in Worcestershire.
History:
Manufactured 5 Aug 1970 and originally LHD driven in Texas.
We acquired vehicle in 1988 following a RHD conversion (mileage 73,000).
Car driven for two years then garaged in 1990 for full restoration project (sand and dust everywhere).
All work lovingly carried out - slow but very sure! Full photo history.
Last jobs completed by excellent local E-Type specialist (due to ill health).
Car driven yesterday for first time - again (mileage 76,000).

A few more jobs to do (rechroming bumpers, rev meter is on Viagra, oil pressure sender reading low).

But it looks and sounds great.

[macdonjc]

Hi

Lovely job, well done looks terrific! Must be one of the very last S2s with the leaper logo on the bonnet?

26 years isn't so long really. My cousin has recently finished his Volvo Amazon after 40 years!!

Pity the weather isn't too good now but it won't be long until Spring is here again.

Happy motoring, enjoy

[richardhinds]

Lovely looking car, someone's done an excellent job.
I'm interested in getting some bumpers re-chromed-have you anyone lined up for the job? Any ball park figures on likely costs?

Regards, Richard

[J44EAG]

Very well done indeed.

Many congratulations. A car to be proud of. Enjoy it to the full.

Mike K

[jaglover842]

Thanks for your comments - just can't wait for the nicer weather to get maximum joy out of it!

Richard - regarding chroming, there are several schools of thought. I myself am a novice.

Options:

1. Replace bumpers/over riders with brand new. If from Barratt, expensive but looks good. However argument that the car no longer contains original parts.
2. As above but buy stainless steel new ones from Harrington Group. These are made in Asia. Same as above applies, but cheaper. The finish does not look as good as chrome (slightly different colour I have been told).

With both options above, you run the risk of fitting inconsistences. Since all these cars were hand made, the bumpers were all fitted to shape. So buying 'off the shelf' may result in a few gaps, hole misalignment, etc.

3. Rechroming. This obviously keeps original parts but gets them someway back to looking brand new. Cheaper than buying new. I have been told that minor dents can be evened out (as long as the metal has not been stretched too much). Castle Chrome in Dudley seem to get mentioned a lot and have lots of history and experience. Can't quite remember, so don't quote me, but ball park figures were about £400 for the rear section parts (left, centre, middle plus overriders). They are probably who we will use - recommended by E-Type restorer. I am sure other reputable providers are in the various Jaguar magazines. You may well find other options in these forums.

Hope this helps.

[OldEnglish68]

Hi there

Congratulations on getting your car back on the road - it looks perfect, especially in that colour.

I am about to change tyres on mine and wonder what make, model and size your tyres are please?

Thank you

OE68

[jaglover842]

OE68,

It's not perfect by a long shot, but now it's back on the road, I can spend lots of cold evenings in the garage attending to its various rough areas.

Regarding the tyres - same ones all around. There's writing on the tyres in various places, so here goes:

MICHELIN
195-15 X
Tubeless Radial

Tread 2 Polyester Plies, Sidewall 2
DOT FHTM A2NX289

Made in France, 12 C 20-2275A V-1

Hope this helps.

I recently discovered the tyres are actually a little too large in diameter. There is a spot on the mudguards where the tyre catches when on full lock.

The above is evident when reading the website at http://www.vintagetyres.com/p/the-best- ... s-for-xk-e

This contains an excellent guide to which tyre should be on which Series car - one for the purists.

[Art1012]

Hi jaglover842
It is great to see your E-type back on the road. Will you be willing to write up the story and send it in to me for publication on the E-type forum pages in the JEC magazine?
Let me know, Art.