[Saloon-lovers] MK VII resto still in process

Saloons
1

Hi All,
For quite a while I�ve been in the lurk mode due mainly to the slow progress of the restoration plus some health issues. Engine and basic mechanics are done, body is ready for spraying and interior is an empty cage. Tried to post a while back but was bounced so this is also a test.
Gretings
Rodolfo
Mexico City
1954 MK VII VIN 737645–
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2

In reply to a message from Rodolfo Jacques sent Thu 1 May 2008:

Hello Rodolfo,
It is nice to see another Mark VII owner. I keeping checking the
Saloon list, then Lumps, the Concours trying to feel less lonely.
My 1954 Mark VII was to be picked up by the shipper today. I have
not seen it. Almost 2700 miles from Washington state to my garage
in western New York.
I put the insurance on the car today and expect to be taking short
drives in a month or so. This will be a rolling restoration…
I hope.
Please post and post pictures if you have them. Maybe we can get a
couple more Mark VII owners out.
Thank you, Bernie–
The original message included these comments:

Gretings
1954 MK VII VIN 737645

–
Bernie Daily
Brockport/New York, United States
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3

Rodolfo,
Welcome to the world of Jaguar Saloons. I have been restoring/repairing
a 1951 MKVII VIN 731229 bought in 1979. In the mid-80’s I found enough
time to restore the chassis, engine and drive train. Then other demands
for my time prevented me from doing more. I retired four years ago so
over the past 3 years I have worked on the car. I am nearing completion.
Need to finished a few interior door panels and fit the full skirts.
Then redo the wheels and mount a fresh set of Lester bias-ply tires to
substantially complete the car.

I found the interior work to be the greatest challenge.

Any questions just ask and I will try to answer,

Alan Schultz
51MKVII

Rodolfo Jacques wrote:

Hi All,
For quite a while I�ve been in the lurk mode due mainly to the slow progress of the restoration
Rodolfo
Mexico City
1954 MK VII VIN 737645

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4

hi rodolfo,

For quite a while I�ve been in the lurk mode due mainly to
the slow progress of the restoration plus some health issues.
Engine and basic mechanics are done, body is ready for
spraying and interior is an empty cage.

welcome back! I hope the health issues are over and please, post pics online by
all means! I’d be expecially interested in details shot of how things really
fit together…

one day I’ll have to tackle the body and paint on mine…

first I need to take possession of it, though! :-))

ciao,

diego

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5

hi bernie!

It is nice to see another Mark VII owner.

indeed!

I keeping checking
the Saloon list, then Lumps, the Concours trying to feel less lonely.

beside alan who already replied and rodolfo, there’s me and at least 8 more
members of this group with MkVII/VIIMs that I know of, at least 2 MkVIII owners
and 8 MkIX… so don’t worry, we’re not alone!! :slight_smile:

My 1954 Mark VII was to be picked up by the shipper today. I
have not seen it.

same story here! bought one in Boston, MA sight-unseen, and I still haven’t
seen it! it’s still there in a jag shop, undergoing a mechanical restoration…
actually, I haven’t heard from the man in a while, better drop him a line and
see what’s going on! :slight_smile:

truth is, before taking a spin in Peter’s MkVIIM in Zurich a few weeks ago, I’d
never even SEEN one in the flesh, even less ridden in one… I hope mine will be
at least half as good as Peter’s, it was a truly enlightening experience!

and so I’m REALLY looking forward to getting my ass into mine now!! :slight_smile:

Almost 2700 miles from Washington state to
my garage in western New York.

piece of cake, mine will have to cross the atlantic ocean and then some to come
home!! :slight_smile:

Please post and post pictures if you have them.

since I’ve never seen any post from you before, bernie, you probably haven’t
seen mine either… I posted the link with my pics a while back, anyway it’s
here: http://picasaweb.google.com/diego.montefusco then click on “My 1955
MkVIIM”

also on SaloonData: http://www.saloondata.com/cars/detail/?car=723023

ciao!

diego

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6

Rodolfo. I am another MK VII ('53) owner that has a car undergoing
restoration. In my case I got it on the road for a short time - long
enough to drive my daughter to her wedding and reception. When I got it,
it was a rolling chaisis with all the parts labeled and in boxes.
I spent about 5 years reassembling it. New paint job - dover white- new
interior - burgundy. The problem was that the PO had installed
a chevy 400 in it. After the wedding I removed the chevy and 400
transmission and acquired a 3.4l (head with center painted red) XK
120 engine. Because of numerous other projects The car, minus engine, is
stored at my friends auto shop. After some minor but time consuming
repairson my '86 Series 3, I hope to install the engine this fall sometime.
I periodically go out to the shop to admire it.
Good luck with your car
Gene Johnston
'53 MKVII, "86 S III XJ6, '94 XJ40, '04 S type----- Original Message -----
From: “Rodolfo Jacques” rojacques@cheerful.com
To: saloons@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 3:01 PM
Subject: [Saloon-lovers] MK VII resto still in process

Hi All,
For quite a while I�ve been in the lurk mode due mainly to the slow
progress of the restoration plus some health issues. Engine and basic
mechanics are done, body is ready for spraying and interior is an empty
cage. Tried to post a while back but was bounced so this is also a test.
Gretings
Rodolfo
Mexico City
1954 MK VII VIN 737645

–
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7

In reply to a message from Gene Johnston sent Fri 2 May 2008:

It is exciting to have a few people show interest. Last night I
told a friend that when the Big Cats were a few years old no one
wanted them and they got lost as cars do. Now there are not many
around and people do not know much about them so there still aren’t
wanted. I guess that is what makes the Jaguars owner/hobbyist cars
instead of investor cars. I kind of like it that way.
Anyway, I have been collecting pictures online. I know I probably
will annoy someone or break a copywrite law but here is a time
waster for you all:
http://www.brockportinternational.com/xjs/Dir5/Jag/MarkVII/

And for those who are not timid. Here are the pictures I looked
long and hard at before I bought mine. I wanted a project with
minimal rust:
http://www.brockportinternational.com/xjs/Dir5/Jag/1954/brockportint
ernational/

Enjoy the pictures, Bernie–
The original message included these comments:

I periodically go out to the shop to admire it.

–
Bernie Daily
Brockport/New York, United States
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8

In reply to a message from Roadmaster48 sent Sat 3 May 2008:

I think this is the full link:

http://www.brockportinternational.com/xjs/Dir5/Jag/1954/brockportinternational/--
Gordon S. Tompkins (03 S-Type)
Springville, CA, United States
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9

In reply to a message from Sidney sent Sat 3 May 2008:

Diego,
I just went through every one of your pictures. thank you so much
for all the details. It looks like we both have the same starting
point.
Lots of work had to be done on the head, but it was good to see the
engine was not yanked from the car and a total disassembly done. I
am hoping to avoid engine work and focus on brakes and reliability.
My body man is going to squirt the car with a ‘‘production’’ job
right away to make the car look good from 20 feet. Then I will work
one panel at a time to a higher quality.
Thanks again, Bernie–
Bernie Daily
Brockport/New York, United States
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10

Hi Bernie,
When it�s a rolling restoration you kind of get some enjoyment out of it but when the car is parked and you just plunk money down and the car does go any where it�s not so good. It�s fun to see it regain it�s old shape but better that it rolls. But that is the way it goes with this hobby/vice. Back a long time ago I lived for a couple of years up your way in good old Rochester. This was way back when mother Kodak was queen of the world of photography. Good luck with your big Cat.
Greetings
Rodolfo
Mexico City–
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11

Alan,
Thank you. I�ve had the car for about 7 years but work has been in spurts. The good thing is that I started with a very good solid body. Bad thing was that the engine was apart and some of the components were not usable. The head for example was shot and not rebuildable. In fact what I was able to get was a MK IX head I believe it is. Engine works great with it. It�s a manual shift tranny and I wanted an overdrive so I got an incomplete one in the States which by a stroke of luck found all the rest of the parts here. So it has been very slow progress. Right now there are some mechanical things to complete but most of it is done. Then it will be all the inside; it�s bare as they come. Need the seats done, all I have are rusted frames and springs. Most of the wood is there. Any way be sure I�ll be asking alot of questions and also for needed parts. In fact 2 come to mind a rear overrider and the little plaque that reads JAGUAR in the front of the hood cat.
Best
Rodolfo–
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12

Hi Diego,
Thank you it�s really good to be back. Hope the health problems give me break, I feel very well after a 5 bypass surgery but then with the years that I carry you never know.
Don�t have pictures of all the mechanical work because I was travelling alot due to my job when that was done. When the body is pulled apart for painting I�ll be taking pix. And same when the interior starts to take shape. Considering that your car is in the mechanics stage right here is an idea for you if you are not a purist. I installed MK IX disc brakes in front for practical reasons. The car is quite heavy and here in the Mexico City area you need good brakes due to the mountainous roads. A trip to the Gulf of Mexico or to the Pacific coast is down or up 2200M. Discs in front will be a great plus for that type of driving.
Ciao
Rodolfo–
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13

Hi Gene,
I was lucky in that respect the car had the correct number engine and tranny even though I messed it up by not putting the correct head but it was not an option that is why I had to do it. At least your had a chance to ride in it for a while. All those who have restoration in process have to gang together and push to get the cars back on the road. Good luck with your motor swap it�s good that you are putting an original back in the engine bay.
Best
Rodolfo–
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14

Rodolfo,
I am also searching for bumper overriders. I have two leads on some but
have not finalized a purchase. I’ll let you know who you should contact
after I decide which way to proceed. I don’t have a Jaguar Leaper hood
ornament so I am no help with that item. Perhaps someone on the
Jag-Lovers list can assist.
Alan
51MKVII

Rodolfo Jacques wrote:

and springs. Most of the wood is there. Any way be sure I�ll be asking alot of questions and also for needed parts. In fact 2 come to mind a rear overrider and the little plaque that reads JAGUAR in the front of the hood cat.
Best
Rodolfo

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15

I
don’t have a Jaguar Leaper hood ornament so I am no help with
that item. Perhaps someone on the Jag-Lovers list can assist.

I think I’ve seen one fairly recently on eBay… keep your eyes open there,
there’s very little stuff but worth checking

BTW, here’s a set of used over-riders for a MkIX. not sure if they’re the same
though:
http://search.ebay.com/130219834316

and here’s a set of new front ones. auction says they’re the same for Mk7, 8 and
9:
http://search.ebay.com/320245059153

good luck!

diego

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16

Hi Diego,
Thank you. I�ll keep an eye on them. You are right there was a MK VII lazy “Leaper” recently and there was the JAGUAR “plaque” also. This last one is what I need I have the Leaper without the “motif” but the guy wouldn�t sell it to anybody that wasn�t within the 4 borders of the USA.
Ciao
Rodolfo–
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17

I’ve looked these closely and decided they would not fit the early
MKVII’s. The early MKVII has an additional rib on the centerline of the
bumper. Watch out for that possibly. They may fit a later MKVII.
Alan Schultz
51MKVII

Diego Montefusco wrote:

I
don’t have a Jaguar Leaper hood ornament so I am no help with
that item. Perhaps someone on the Jag-Lovers list can assist.

and here’s a set of new front ones. auction says they’re the same for Mk7, 8 and
9:
http://search.ebay.com/320245059153

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18

Alan,

I have one that you are welcome to if you don’t mind one that needs to be
rechromed. Free to a good home.

Frank Morse

In a message dated 5/4/2008 8:36:17 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
alan@andysnet.net writes:
Rodolfo,
I am also searching for bumper overriders. I have two leads on some but
have not finalized a purchase. I’ll let you know who you should contact
after I decide which way to proceed. I don’t have a Jaguar Leaper hood
ornament so I am no help with that item. Perhaps someone on the
Jag-Lovers list can assist.
Alan
51MKVII

Rodolfo Jacques wrote:

and springs. Most of the wood is there. Any way be sure I�ll be asking
alot of questions and also for needed parts. In fact 2 come to mind a rear
overrider and the little plaque that reads JAGUAR in the front of the hood cat.
Best
Rodolfo

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19

Frank,
If Alan is on the look for a whole set and doesn�t want a loner I�d be interested if it�s the one for the early type bumper. I�ll check the car tomorrow just to make sure but I believe that is the one I need.
Cheers
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20

Rodolfo,

Are you talking about the leaper I offered to Alan?

Frank

In a message dated 5/5/2008 9:13:41 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
rojacques@cheerful.com writes:
Frank,
If Alan is on the look for a whole set and doesn�t want a loner I�d be
interested if it�s the one for the early type bumper. I�ll check the car tomorrow
just to make sure but I believe that is the one I need.
Cheers
Rodolfo–
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http://www.hollywoodlife.net/younghollywoodawards2008/

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