I apologize for the length of this question, but I feel it needs some explaining.
Many years ago I purchased a 1956 3.4 MK1 for restoration. This was a project car for a large Detroit area college class. Although nicely done, it was unfinished and originality was not a concern. So a few years later I purchased a 1959 MK1 as a donor parts car.
Although I only paid the asking price of $200 for the donor car, the previous owner made a claim I didn’t believe at the time. He stated the car was one of 3 prototypes with factory fitted metal sunroofs. He stated he had a letter from Jaguar stating this was done to test the structural integrity for future addition of a sunroof as an option. Of course, he could not find the alleged letter, but I needed the interior woodwork and many other pieces so I wasn’t concerned. And of course, a spare engine and OD transmission could never hurt.
Due to space restrictions and time restraints, I now find I must dispose of one of the MK1’s. The 1956 model is still very solid although it will require a fair amount of work. The complete floor of the 1959 model is gone due to rusting away, and I suspect the unibody strengthening members are very weak.
As noted above, the 1959 model has a sliding metal sunroof. The opening for the sunroof was cut smaller than required and then folded or pressed inward to create a smooth inside edge of the proper opening size (photo 1- taken from front of car). All additional panels, brackets, etc. are spot welded as opposed to tack or seam welded and painted the original body color. The frame of the sunroof is a channel approximately 1.5 x 1.5 inches in size on all four sides. Each corner of the frame has a drain tube that continues down the “A” posts and “C” posts through the floor to drain away water. The frame has a wooden piece attached to the front and the corner piece that the drain tube passes through has been flanged to avoid cutting the rubber tube. The headliner rods have been shortened on the sides. Although not much remains, there is some leather trim around the interior opening. This is the same color as the upholstery. It appears that all the bits and pieces came straight from the MK9 line . In other words, if this modification was done outside of Jaguar, it is one of the most professional jobs I have seen.
Although still highly doubtful of the previous owner’s claim, I don’t want to destroy a vehicle that could have some historical value, so I seek advice from those that have more knowledge about Jaguars than my very limited knowledge. Here are the choices as I see them:
1. Strip all remaining usable parts and body panels (including the complete roof) from the donor car and dispose of the remainder.
2. Reverse this procedure and basically use the complete floor from the 1956 model to build up the 1959 model.
Thanks for putting up with this lengthy volume and thanks in advance for any advice.
gary
Many years ago I purchased a 1956 3.4 MK1 for restoration. This was a project car for a large Detroit area college class. Although nicely done, it was unfinished and originality was not a concern. So a few years later I purchased a 1959 MK1 as a donor parts car.
Although I only paid the asking price of $200 for the donor car, the previous owner made a claim I didn’t believe at the time. He stated the car was one of 3 prototypes with factory fitted metal sunroofs. He stated he had a letter from Jaguar stating this was done to test the structural integrity for future addition of a sunroof as an option. Of course, he could not find the alleged letter, but I needed the interior woodwork and many other pieces so I wasn’t concerned. And of course, a spare engine and OD transmission could never hurt.
Due to space restrictions and time restraints, I now find I must dispose of one of the MK1’s. The 1956 model is still very solid although it will require a fair amount of work. The complete floor of the 1959 model is gone due to rusting away, and I suspect the unibody strengthening members are very weak.
As noted above, the 1959 model has a sliding metal sunroof. The opening for the sunroof was cut smaller than required and then folded or pressed inward to create a smooth inside edge of the proper opening size (photo 1- taken from front of car). All additional panels, brackets, etc. are spot welded as opposed to tack or seam welded and painted the original body color. The frame of the sunroof is a channel approximately 1.5 x 1.5 inches in size on all four sides. Each corner of the frame has a drain tube that continues down the “A” posts and “C” posts through the floor to drain away water. The frame has a wooden piece attached to the front and the corner piece that the drain tube passes through has been flanged to avoid cutting the rubber tube. The headliner rods have been shortened on the sides. Although not much remains, there is some leather trim around the interior opening. This is the same color as the upholstery. It appears that all the bits and pieces came straight from the MK9 line . In other words, if this modification was done outside of Jaguar, it is one of the most professional jobs I have seen.
Although still highly doubtful of the previous owner’s claim, I don’t want to destroy a vehicle that could have some historical value, so I seek advice from those that have more knowledge about Jaguars than my very limited knowledge. Here are the choices as I see them:
1. Strip all remaining usable parts and body panels (including the complete roof) from the donor car and dispose of the remainder.
2. Reverse this procedure and basically use the complete floor from the 1956 model to build up the 1959 model.
Thanks for putting up with this lengthy volume and thanks in advance for any advice.
gary