Recently purchased a 1969 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 2+2 with manual transmission and I would appreciate guidance from more experienced owners. The car was purchased via BaT and will be delivered to a British specialist shop in a few days. The planned work is new tires, transmission and diff fluid changes (all other fluids done just prior to sell) and a carb calibration. My plan is to immediately take the car from the shop on a 1500 mile roadtrip. While this may be foolish, I love to drive my classic cars, not just look at them in the garage. My question: other than the above listed work and a general inspection, what should I have the shop do prior to me driving 1500 miles? And other than tools and a AAA membership, what should I be doing to prepare for this trip? I look forward to hearing your thoughts. - Jim, Moab UT
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New E-Type Owner Seeking Advice
- Thread starter 69S22+2
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Would be sure to check on the cooling system and fans for a start.
Great idea. I appreciate it.
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I have a 67 Series I roadster. In addition to what Grantura and Dale mentioned, check the alternator and battery and definitely inspect and top up the brake and clutch fluids. Make sure the master cylinder and the wheel (and clutch) cylinders are not leaking.
Thank you for sharing your story. Lesson well learned. I’ll call the shop right now!
Added to the list. Thank you very much.
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Do you have any pictures of your E-type that you could share?
Here is one. Having issues posting others (file to large). Ideas?
The tires in the pic are much to small (20”) vs the 26” diameter of the 185/15’s being installed now.
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Yeah, just resize the image so it is less than 4MB. Lots of ways to resize images depending on your operating system. Just Google hoe to resize pictures if you're not sure.
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The wheels do look on the small side, otherwise nice looking Jag!
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I think it is the tyres, not the wheels.
Definitely the tires. New Michelin 185/15 XVS tires are being fitted this week to restore the car to its proper proportions.
Thanks for the help, Basil. I think I got it!
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I love your idea, but I might take the car for a five and a fifty mile trip first (I guess it wouldn't have to be a there and back trip you could just start driving towards home) monitor all the gauges, especially oil pressure and coolant temp, then give it a once over for leaks etc. before proceeding.
The cars get up to operating water temp pretty quickly, but oil in the engine and the transmission and differential take longer, oil pressure can drop a lot, etc. Tool roll or cell phone and towing insurance? Just be sure to have a back up plan. I bought a $1000 Porsche 7-8 years ago and drove it home 500 miles in the middle of winter. Other than no heater it was a lot of fun. Have done with a couple modern cars too, but near as much adventure in that.
The cars get up to operating water temp pretty quickly, but oil in the engine and the transmission and differential take longer, oil pressure can drop a lot, etc. Tool roll or cell phone and towing insurance? Just be sure to have a back up plan. I bought a $1000 Porsche 7-8 years ago and drove it home 500 miles in the middle of winter. Other than no heater it was a lot of fun. Have done with a couple modern cars too, but near as much adventure in that.
Thanks glemon. I appreciate the insight. The Jag is at a shop in Denver (six hours from my home) and the plan is for my son and I to travel to the shop in his pickup pulling an empty enclosed trailer. Assuming a short test drive goes well, I’ll attempt to drive the Jag back home. That immediate, steep 6000 foot climb from Denver up to the Eisenhower Tunnel should provide a thorough examination of the E-type’s readiness for a long trip. If she fails, we will simply load her into the trailer and return to the Denver shop.