In reply to a message from Micah W sent Mon 27 Jun 2005:
Craig and George,
Thanks for the replies.
I am trying to restore this car to an appearance that is very close
to as it was 42 years ago. Unfortunately, not too many people
restore these cars and the suppliers are unaware or do not care
about the differences in the line as it matured.
As Craig remarked, I am using 420G front seats because of the lack
of support found in the early Mark X front seats. They are doing a
bit of custom work so that the seat has the same support as the
420G seat but retains most of the look of the early Mark X seat and
matches with the rear seat. This was one of the biggest complaints
of the early Mark X and I want to enjoy driving this car.
Yesterday, I received the lower cushion for the rear seat and it
looked spectacular. I have not seen the fronts yet but eagerly
await their arrival.
As stated in my earlier post, my main problem is with the carpet
set. I believe this company is using a 420G pattern, which is not
the same as an early Mark X. I had to obtain a pattern for the
heater cover from Allan Kirson�s early car because they sent the
wrong one. Also, I had to get the driver side under dash hardura
from Jaguar Heaven because the one they sent me did not line up
with the pedals. The 3.8 Mark X had the Dunlop bellows power brake
unit and unique clutch pedal box that was not found on subsequent
Mark X and 420G�s.
I know that there were some changes to the transmission tunnel in
the switch from the DG-250. The interior company is not convinced
of this fact and believes that their carpet kit should fit my car.
It does not. Also, the under carpet felts have cut outs for
brackets which the carpets are attached to. On the early Mark X
this bracket is a �U� shaped 1� wide strip of metal. On later Mark
X/420G they I believe they used a cone shaped bracket. The felt set
I was sent had cut outs for the brackets that were nowhere close to
where my brackets are and the overall shape was not correct.
Therefore, I am convinced that what they are sending me is not for
an early Mark X but a 420G.
I have also had difficulties with this company regarding the boot
trim. Early Mark Xs had two �V� shaped cut outs in the hardura
which matches a section in the body that is shaped to allow the
exhaust pipes pass by more freely. Also, on the deck lid is an oval
impression for the spare tire, there should be an oval cut out in
the trim board that matches this impression. Later Mark X/420G did
not have this. The kit they sent me had neither of the cutouts.
Again, pointing to an incorrect pattern.
My problem is that my original interior was thrown away 20 years
ago. Unfortunately, the early Mark X�s at Jaguar Heaven no longer
have any original carpets. I have no patters to send them to
convince them that what they are sending me is wrong. They make
their money on interiors for other cars and do not see much of a
market need to make a correct interior for a Mark X. I need someone
with a 3.8 Mark X to help me out here. Someone out there with an
early car is someday going to want to have a correct interior and
will run into this same problem if it is not corrected.
Thank you,–
The original message included these comments:
I�m having some problems getting a properly fitting interior made
for my car. I think that the problem lies in the fact that the
supplier does not have the correct pattern for a 3.8 Mark X. They
insist that a 420G pattern is exactly the same. I disagree.
They have yet to provide me with a carpet set that actually fits. I
know there were some changes in the transmission tunnel when the DG-
250 was abandoned. I think this is causing the new carpets not to
fit. Also, the 420G used carpet on the inner sills where as the
Mark X used vinyl.
Does anyone out there have an old original carpet or felt set from
a 3.8 Mark X that they could send me? I think I really only need
–
Micah 1963 Mark X (351885BW)
California, United States
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