Here is the story of the restoration of the E-type belonging
to one of our members (Gérard).
An exceptional story, in that, he
took on the challenge alone, in his garage, with basic tools which
are -
by no means - those of professionals. Of course, the alternative would have
been to leave his
jaguar with a professional, come back after one year with
a fat check.... and not know anything
about inside of his car.
This E-type, coupé, series 1, 3.8 litres, manufactured in october
1961 is one of the first imported
into France. Chassis No 885125.
Gérard
owns this car since 28 years. He drove approximately 40'000 km before it's retoration
without
encountering any major problems other than the overhaul of the gear-box and
regular
maintenance.
At the begining, the car is good, but not enough for gérard...
The car is completely taken apart - interior, mechanical parts,
electrical wiring, dashboard....
everything.
The engine at 100'000 km - to be redone....
The E-type in the courtyard. A sacry sight that needed a lot of motivation to tackle !
Not a single screw left unscrewed.
A heap of metal destinated for a courageous body-part workshop mechanic.
In the meantime, Gérard gets to work on the mechanical
parts. Each part is carefully restored
untill it's ''newer than new''.
Here are the pedals...
and the brakes - replaced or redonne.
Obviously, carburators are as new.
Engine - including cylinder heads - redonne by Gérard himself.
Return of the metal body parts from the workshop. There
was never any rust or collision damage
on the initial parts.
The E-type back home !
Now the dressing session can begin. Here below a redone rear axle.
Engine, front axle, accessories, electrical wiring are assembled.
The final moment has come ! Contact, ignition, the straight
6 awakens, happy to emerge from
12 months of hibernation. The
RPM stabilises... and Gérard's heartbeat resumes a normal rhythm.
A quick glance at the inside where nothing has
been left to chance. All seals replaced, lining of
the roof,
carpet, leather...etc.
And here is the result after some months of effort
and 950 hours of work (not including that of
the body parts
workshop).
Great moment. Gérard's E-type is invited to the
celebration of the 40th anniversary of the E-type presentation to
the press at the parc des Eaux-vives during the automobile exhibition in March
1961.
Proudly beside the 9600 HP, which was the 1st E-type
to be presented at the exhibition in 1961,
preceeding it's phenomenal
success.
A HAPPY owner with every reason to be proud of
the work he accomplished, alone, in his garage
with patience
and an iron will.
And to crown it all... his E-type won two high-level
international competitions.
In 1994 in Villars sur Ollon 2nd
prize before a multitude of British competitors and 1st prize in
Interlaken
in 2001 ahead of 50 E-type from all over Europe, as well as 1st prize during
the
Nantua meeting.
One last word, Gérard, I have a Jaguar to be resored,
whenevr you want !