Category: Jaguar

Troubleshooting the E-Type radiator fan 0

Troubleshooting the E-Type radiator fan

Last September, the electric fan on the E-Type stopped working.   This is a particular problem in the E-Type as there is no mechanical fan.   At the time I assumed the coolant temperature sensor had failed.   It would seem that many people have trouble with these sensors.   I knew the coolcat fan was fine, as it roared into life when I applied 12v directly to...

E-Type radiator fan failure 1

E-Type radiator fan failure

Unlike most cars of its era, the E-Type uses an electric fan rather than one driven by the engine.   This was probably due to room in the engine bay, as other Jaguar models of the era used engine driven fans.   True to form, Jaguar used a very cheap fan (actually a windscreen wiper motor) with two blades like a propeller.  This fan was barely...

2018 British Car Show, Sydney 1

2018 British Car Show, Sydney

The 2018 British Car show was held on Sunday at the Kings School.   This is probably the best car show of the year in Sydney.    As usual all the British marques were there.   Also as usual was the lovely display of cars.    Overall it was a great day with excellent weather and interesting cars to see.   Having said that, the Kings School...

Halogen Headlight Upgrade 0

Halogen Headlight Upgrade

About 18 months ago, I had my E-Type upgraded from sealed beams to Halogen headlights.  Last night, I took the car on the first extended night drive since the upgrade.    What a difference! The Halogen upgrade also included relays and wiring directly from the battery to the lights.     Before this upgrade I never felt particularly comfortable driving the car at night.   With this...

British Motor Museum – Jaguar Heritage Collection 2

British Motor Museum – Jaguar Heritage Collection

The Jaguar Heritage Collection was displayed near the historic Jaguar Factory at Browns Lane until that site was redeveloped in 2012.   The collection is now split across a few museums, but the bulk of it can be found at the British Motor Museum. During a recent visit to the UK, I was able to tour the British Motor Museum.   The Jaguar Heritage Collection is...

Sometimes new parts are not better 0

Sometimes new parts are not better

My E-Type has had ongoing problems with the brakes holding on.    This has been on and off since I bought the car in 2010.   Over that time, I have pretty much renewed the entire braking system.   Turns out, that might be part of the problem.    What I have learned, is that the reproduction E-Type Master Cylinder can be problematic.   So much so,...

E-Type brakes, holding on for dear life 2

E-Type brakes, holding on for dear life

I’ve owned my E-Type for over 5 years now.   During my ownership there has been one issue that has consistently plagued the car – brakes that do not release when they should.   Over my ownership I have replaced pretty much the entire braking system, and some components twice! A couple of months ago, I had the master cylinder and booster replaced.   At first, I...

2017 British Car Day 1

2017 British Car Day

The annual British car display day at the Kings School is not be missed.  Over 1500 classic British cars, trucks and commercial vehicles.  The weather was lovely so the turnout was excellent.  Last year, the show had to be postponed due to a sodden field. Not only is the display quite a sight, but its one of the few times of the year you’ll...

Tall drivers can comfortably drive a Series 1 E-Type 0

Tall drivers can comfortably drive a Series 1 E-Type

Pretty much all the buyers guides I read when researching E-Types say that drivers over 6 feet tall should avoid SWB E-Types.   This means they are allegedly restricted to the S1 2+2, S2 2+2 and all Series 3 models.    I was never a fan of the styling updates to the E-Type as it aged, so was keen on an early car.  ...

Jaguar E-Type Upgrades 6

Jaguar E-Type Upgrades

The E-Type was going in for its annual service and rego check, with the view to move from full rego to the new logbook based club rego system. In addition, the braking problems that have plagued this car had re-surfaced on the drive back from Oberon.   Yet again, the brakes were not releasing properly.   I also noticed a fairly bad fluid leak...

Ad of the week: Jag Engineering and Elegance 0

Ad of the week: Jag Engineering and Elegance

This weeks ad is a well known Jaguar ad focusing on both the engineering and design elements.  Most specifically it addresses the Jaguar IRS, which was very advanced for it’s time.  Jaguar used it up until the 90s! It is an early ad because it shows the outside bonnet latches and a different position than normal for the reversing light.     The picture...

The Jaguar Compact Saloons 0

The Jaguar Compact Saloons

The Jaguar Compact Saloons were a highly successful range of cars that lasted from the mid 50s right through to the end of the 60s.   They gave Jaguar the production volume to stay relevant and with their world beating sports cars of the same era are still somewhat responsible for the reputation Jaguar has today.   Despite these being the cheapest cars in Jaguar’s range,...

Favorites of the 2016 British Car Show 1

Favorites of the 2016 British Car Show

The British car show has such a selection of cars that its hard to pick favorites, but these represent the standout cars for me on the day. Healey Elliott I found this to be a really striking car and not one I had seen before.   Apparently it has the 2.5 liter Riley engine and was capable of 100mph, quite a feat at the...

Ad of the week:  Pennzoil Jaguar 0

Ad of the week: Pennzoil Jaguar

This weeks Ad is a Pennzoil ad that ties their engine oil to the high performance XK engine and its over inflated performance specs.   Still the ad had a great cutaway of the engine and the triple carburettor setup.  The Jaguar E-Type had a lot of suppliers trying to associate with it during the early 60s. This is the power plant built for...

Ad of the week:  Jaguar E-Type 0

Ad of the week: Jaguar E-Type

This weeks ad is on the E-Type, this time 1964.   Its not clear if it covers the then current 3.8 model or the upcoming 4.2. A different breed of Cat The 1964 Jaguar XK-E is unlike any other car on the road today. For one thing, it doesn’t look like any other car you have ever seen.   And it is capable of phenomenal...

Ad of the week: New Jaguar XK-E 0

Ad of the week: New Jaguar XK-E

This is a great ad from the launch of the E-Type in 1961.    It shows both body styles, the Fixed Head and the Open Top.   In the USA, the XK series had great name recognition so the E-Type was marketed as the XK-E. This is the new Jaguar XK-E!

Classic Jalopy