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It seems that all the work I have recently done has actually not changed the car's appearance at all.
So I decided to make an effort in that direction.
I needed to make a pattern for the centre section between the seats.
It was a bit fiddly, what with paper patterns then cardboard, but I got there in the end, and now have a reasonable pattern I can use to make an alloy section to graft in.
Today I am working indoors; I’m cheesed of being out in the cold.
When I eventually get round to doing the dashboard, I will need all the switches and dials ready to fit.
I have taken care of the rev counter and speedo, but want a push button start switch, indicator switch and a few other bits and bobs.
I dug out an old Jag panel and took the main headlight switch off.
It looks very much like the XKSS indicator switch. So that will do.
The switch has seven connections so I am confident that I should be able to configure it to work.
After a bit of testing I figured out that the “headlight on” position could be
used as “off”
The “sidelight on” position as the right indicator
The “fog light on” as the left indicator
Sounds complicated but when you see the pictures it’s not.
Simple no surgery required! ( makes a change)
I now have a simple three connection switch which will look the dog’s danglers. Once installed in the correct place
Working with all this old equipment, taking it apart, Modifying etc
One thing stands out above all else, QUALITY. It screams at you, there is so much copper, brass and solid metal in everything that was made at that time.
Don't worry about deadlines Scottie, my original deadline was to finish the car in January, but it took me until July to get it on the road. It just wasn't the next July...
I have put together some pictures to illustrate why I did not want to use the "replica" dials that most builders of XKSS's use.
Firstly the D types and XKSS cars had rev counters and speedos where the "zero" position was at "2 o'clock" whereas most other Jaguars of the period had instruments which had their "zero's" in the normal position of 7 o'clock.
This fact bothers me not, and the pictures will show why I prefer standard Jag dials.
After following this thread and seen the detail your going through to complete this with such accuracy I don't believe you when you say that your not putting the filler cap where it goes! I'm sure on the finished car the filler cap will be INSIDE the car as per the original!
Sure, there are a lot of features I am going to great lengths to get right,
But there will be several things that are not as the original.
For a start the body is 5 inches narrower than the Jag, that in itself slightly changes the overall body proportions.
I have a boot lid which I made myself because it's practical.
The XKSS had a spare wheel post box!
Before I put the body on, I thought long and hard about repositioning the petrol cap, and again for practical reasons decided not to.
Another difference is, I chose not to have a flip front, I have a bonnet
opening instead. I suppose at a later date if I changed my mind, it would be possible to chop the front off and make it flip!
However, although there are all those differences, when it's finished it
IS going to look very much like the original all the same.
You're making great progress scottie!! i'm looking forward to seeing the roof installed, if you can make the car enjoyable in most, if not all, the british weather has to throw at us then that would be a real success!
I think so. The steel tub remains on the chassis, and the car engine will start throughout the build, so it can be moved about.
What you end up with, is a car that looks like a fabulous Jaguar, but does not have the hefty running costs etc. Also, being much lighter than the original donar, the performance is much better than a Spitfire and so is the fuel economy, go for it!
I like the look of your bracing for the central cockpit extension - I think you'll find that's where your hand will naturally fall and take your weight when you climb aboard.
I know you're looking to be as authentic as possible when detailing your XKSS-alike, but you're right not to get too hung up on the tiny details. Most people (including me) have never seen a real XKSS, so your homage won't stand out as a copy. My humble effort actually fooled the chairman of the Lancia owners' club into believing it was the real deal at Goodwood...
I recently read in a copy of Octane magazine that the owner of a genuine 60's $500,000 Shelby Cobra is fed up with being constantly complimented on how nice his kit car looks when he takes it out in public.
Now get on and get it finished and we'll have to arrange a Jaguar v Lancia Le Mans start style b&w photo shoot of us jumping into our cars.
The main reason for refusal is that any Tom Dick or Harry can buy a 62 Astra, but certainly cannot buy what you are driving around!
And that is why he wanted yours!
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