Jag E-Type Body and Paint Repair

[Larry Kluss]

I thought it would be fun to see what projects people are working on. We've seen bits and pieces of some projects and Dean gets the prize for the biggest project currently going...the car barn. So post photos of your car related project, big or small, here. Be sure to use photos so others can see, and perhaps learn from, your project...

ADMIN EDIT: This thread was split up to become our new Restoration Blog forum. Great idea, Larry and Chris!

I'll start this off with my '68 Jaguar. Before sending it to the paint shop (after the driver's side door was pushed in by an SUV bumper while parked), I've decided to do some needed work in the front engine bay requiring removal of the bonnet; rebuild the steering rack, fix a radiator leak, and do a little cleaning. Well, that has ballooned into a new aluminum radiator, upgrading the non-functional A/C to a new R134 system, remove oil sump to fix some leaks, and cleaning and painting everything forward of the engine!

[Steve Simmons]

Careful, a project like that has a tendency to snowball!

[Larry Kluss]

The E-type finally went to the paint shop today...no, really it did. This photo is my proof!

[Steve Simmons]

Wow, I just saw the other photo and was about to say something about how good the new paint job looked!

[Larry Kluss]

I know. I wish it were already done.

[Larry Kluss]

The E-type is finally painted. I'm really happy with it. It's scheduled to come home on Friday and then the re-assembly starts...
Hoping to have it back together by Thanksgiving...less the new A/C. The A/C will be the winter project so it's ready for next summer.

[Steve Simmons]

You know, I kind of like it without the trim! Looks really sexy.

[malcolmr18zoy]

Hi Larry,
If you're going to install A/C in your E-type, you need to install the condenser somewhere other than in front of the radiator. The series one E-type cooling system is really marginal on hot days, and dumping all of the cockpit heat in front of the engine cooling system does nothing to help.
The car looks great, by the way.
Malcolm

[tannyo]

Where did you get it painted?

[Larry Kluss]

Where did you get it painted?

Tanny, I'm a friend of the owner of The Paintin' Place in Thousand Oaks.

Malcom, I hear you, but I don't see any other option. I've replaced the original radiator with a high-quality aluminum unit and my car was an original A/C car. So we'll see how the cooling goes.

[TEAM ROSBIF]

Damn,
Larry that red !.......... I know that was a long time time to pick out, its looks good, really good.
Cant wait to see it it in day light, I remember that was a big moment for me, very tricky color, red.

MB

[HealeyBN7]

Damn,
Larry that red !.......... I know that was a long time time to pick out, its looks good, really good.
Cant wait to see it it in day light, I remember that was a big moment for me, very tricky color, red.

MB

You will love it. I haven't seen it fully polished, but when I did see it, it is a strikingly period correct red.

Dean

[Larry Kluss]

Thanks guys. I have yet to see it finish polished in the daylight myself, but I do like it even under the harsh lights of the spray booth. The shop did a great job on it.

I was pouring over the car a couple of days ago and it's hard for me to believe it's the same car that had those countless dings all over it...not to mention the SUV bumper print in the door.

[VWNate1]

Is this place affordable for us regular folks ? .

I really want to have my little red Metropolitan FHC re sprayed .

TIA ,

[Larry Kluss]

Nate, no, they are a higher-end (read: expensive) shop. I got a significant deal because of my friendship with the owner. However, even with that and the insurance money from the aforementioned SUV owner, the cost was still painful. Add to that all the new rubber items and some chrome items and it adds up very fast.

Although the paint is now show condition, the rest of the car is nice driver at best.

[VWNate1]

Thanx ! .

I'd like to have a decent pain job on my Met as I plan to keep it and being a daily driver , I want a _lasting_ red paint job , I know it's a cheap old car but I like it .

I'll strip off the bumpers & trims etc. so it'll look decent no matter what .

I also need some high dollar Mercedes body & paint work done on SWMBO's Mercedes Station Wagon .

[Larry Kluss]

Here's an update on the E-type repaint project. If you recall, the driver's door was kindly pushed in by an SUV bumper in the parking lot at my office.

After disassebly it went to the paint shop in August, got it back in late October ready for reassembly. With the Holidays and such it's taken a while, plus it went back to the shop to correct a couple of minor flaws.

All of the exterior rubber is new now along with a few new and rechromed parts. Most of the chrome will stay as is for now - the budget is limited after all.

As you can see, it's almost back together. Hopefully I'll get the rest of the exterior parts on it today. What's left is interior, engine bay, and underbody cleanup from the body shop residue, along with an A/C upgrade kit.

It should be a very nice driver/local show car. Certainly not concours condition. I expect to have it at the upcoming Queen's English in March.

[Steve Simmons]

DROOL!!! Are you going to leave the bumpers off? I love that look.

[Jimmy]

Yes! Steve's absolutely right.
My first thought when seeing the pic was "Wow, looks great without the extra hardware"
Then again, Steve should be a big fan of rear bumbers these days.

[Steve Simmons]

When's the last time a rear bumper did anything for me? My car is smashed and the bumper still looks new.

[VWNate1]

That's looking very nice indeed .

[Larry Kluss]

Thanks, guys. It does have a certain appeal without the bumpers, however the body seams are quite intrusive in person. And it looks very stark in the front without the extra chrome. To me it just looks unfinished without the bumpers.

I did get everything on this weekend except the front bumpers. Seems I didn't order enough bumper-to-body edge trim rubber.

Took it on a drive through Hidden Valley late yesterday afternoon. Couldn't hope for more perfect weather.

[HealeyBN7]

I saw Larry's Jag on Saturday. The paint is stuning in person.

Beautiful job Larry.

Dean

PS. Thank you for your help on the Lotus axles and brakes. Donna and I installed the back window - 2.5 hours later. Who would have thought that would be the major weekend accomplishment.

[Larry Kluss]

Update on the E-type. The factory A/C has been upgraded...before and after photos below.

Also the seat and console leather has been repainted. Thanks for your help, Dean!

It's about ready for Queen's English on the 20th.

[HealeyBN7]

Very impressive. Looks like a new car!

Dean