2003-05-05 01:21:04 | Anonymous writes:

Seen on eBay, 5/2003. Ad reads:

"The first year of the V12 series III XKE or E-Type, this beautifully restored 2+2 Jaguar has only 73,000 documented original miles. Guaranteed by the factory to a top speed of 140 miles an hour, the all aluminum twin overhead cam V12 has a displacement of 5.3 liters (326 cu. in.). Owned, garaged, and cared for since new by a French professor (PHD) from Beverly Hills until we purchased it in July of 2002. Since then, it has professionally undergone a full ground up restoration by Shamrock Motorsports and Restorations to return it to its original glory. This beauty has been refinished in British Racing Green with new Beige leather interior. Please do not confuse this car with the “restored” cars that retain worn interior, suspension, and mechanical components. Every part that needed to be replaced on this car has been.



INTERIOR:

Although the original interior was in good condition, there was a small tear in the driver’s leather seat as well as other signs of wear consistent with a 31 year old California car. A decision was made to completely replace the entire interior with an original Jaguar specification interior package, from headliner to under felts.

The new $3000 original interior package was installed, complete with front and rear leather seats and headrests, new headliner, sunvisors, dash pads, door panels, console with cubby box, radio console and pad, carpeting, under dash pads, under felts, etc. In addition, all new panel board was custom fabricated to complete the interior.



BODY:

A very straight, completely rust free body, which was originally as unimpressive “putty” color (Ascot Fawn) has been sanded, urethane primed, sealed, and painted with five coats of the correct PPG British Racing Green. The paint was then 2000 grit color sanded, high speed buffed and glazed using 3M Perfect-In products. The paint is simply amazing on this car. It really does looks like glass. As it should, the car was completely stripped of all glass, emblems, trim, rubber, etc. for this process. In addition, the bonnets, doors, and hatch were all removed so the jams could be properly prepped and painted.



SUSPENSION:

Much detail and time were focused on the suspension system of this great car. Both front and rear suspensions were completely removed, disassembled and completely rebuilt with new bushings and hardware. All possible suspension parts were blasted or chemically stripped and powder coated in the original colors. The chrome wire wheels were re-spoked as necessary, cleaned/polished, and fitted with a new set of 185/65R15 P400 Touring Pirelli speed rated tires. We specifically chose these tires due to their close appearance, stance, and performance to the original Pirelli tires supplied with this car from the factory. The power steering system and rack and pinion was rebuilt and refilled. The car has been aligned and the torsions bars adjusted. Shamrock Motorsports and Restorations has an extensive background in performance suspensions, and that experience was displayed in the restoration of this Jaguar suspension system.



BRAKES AND HYDRAULIC CLUTCH:

Brakes were rebuilt, old fluids drained, refilled with correct fluids and bled. New bottles and hoses were installed. All systems work like new.



EXHAUST:

A complete new British Walker exhaust system (OEM) has been installed, complete with front (intermediate) pipes, balance pipe, mufflers, and four outlet resonators. The fantail has been powder coated in high temperature silver. The system provides an impressive sound that makes the V8 Mustangs and Camaros around here quiver with inadequacy. It is unmistakably a V12 under the hood.



ENGINE AND RUNNING GEAR:

A compression and leak down test was performed on the engine and showed no rebuild was needed. This V12 runs whisper smooth and powerful. You have to drive it to believe how fast and powerful this car actually is. Plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor were replaced. All possible components under the bonnet were disassembled, stripped and powder coated in original colors. Those items that could not withstand the powder coating temperatures were painted in the original colors. All original decals were replaced. The entire engine compartment was beautifully detailed. It really presents a beautiful package. The 4 speed maunal transmission is smooth and quiet.

CAUTION: The car will leave two 20 foot long black streaks on the road if not careful.



ELECTRICS:

All wiring and relays were cleaned, inspected and replaced as needed and checked to assure good working condition. A new battery was purchased and installed.



COOLING SYSTEM
All new hoses were installed and all fittings powder coated. The radiator has been boiled and pressure checked by the previous owner, but was disassembled, cleaned and components painted or powder coated.



FUEL SYSTEM:

The tank was removed, drained, cleaned, sealed and painted. All four Stromberg carburetors have been rebuilt, new diaphragms installed, tuned and balanced. Air cleaner trumpets have been powder coated and new filters installed.



MISCELLANEOUS:

All chrome was removed, buffed, and replated or replaced as needed. Gages were removed, restored and checked. Description of the detailing of all parts would take volumes to list. By our count, over 140 parts were stripped and powder coating in original colors, such as cast aluminum, cast iron, gloss black, semi-gloss black, flat black, silver, etc. The coating was kept thin to simulate the appearance of factory original paint, but is far more durable. Powder coated parts will last forever and are very simple to clean.





Vehicle Condition

The car is a showpiece with nearly $10,000 in parts and supplies (our cost) along with more than 950 professional labor hours invested in the restoration. This type of restoration work is usually charged at a minimum of $60 per hour... you do the math! We have no hopes of recovering our labor costs, and consequently, this will be a tremendous bargin for the buyer. We are preparing to list this car with Hemmings with a higher list price should this auction not be successful. Now is your chance to own this beautiful XKE. "