Time to get stuck in, after all, I have already owned this car for 36 hours. This is my first Jag, which is odd because I have wanted one for 40 years. Since I was a teenager I have admired the MK2, but my passion for American cars always got in the way. That in its self is odd because I am a Brit. Born in Essex, and a Mechanical Engineer by profession. I have built a couple of notable cars before. The Time Bandit Trans Am featured in Popular Hot Rodding August 2006 and an SRIII chassied 64 Corvette featured in the British mag Classic American in April of this year. I live in Florida, via Michigan (a long story) and found this car on ebay a couple of weeks ago. I had to sell my 57 Pontiac to be able to buy it, which had more to do with my wife hating my car habit than anything else. When the Pontiac went, she quickly usurped the garage spot so I couldn't put anything in it, but I have made room at work and will do most of the hard work there. Now that it has arrived, she seems quite receptive towards it. I think deep down she always liked them too, and has some family connections to Jaguars as her Brother in Law owns the Mike Hawthorn museum in the UK and was president of the Jaguar Car Club for a while. Last time I was in England, I showed him my ideas for a 2 door coupe, and much to my surprise, he didn't throw me out. I realize that cutting up these old cars is a problem for some people, but I have always been a hot rodder at heart, so my Jag will be a Hot Rod!

 

In spite of the exterior colour, I have a strong hunch my car was originally black. It was a California car, so I got a nice rust free package to start with. I made a decision years ago after dealing with rust belt Firebirds to never by a Northern car again.

 

The wood in my car is pretty good. Too good really. I don't believe it is original as it looks too dark. Let me know what you think. The interior is Ambla (I think that is what they called it) Fancy word for plastic, so it is also not original to the car. My car is a 1962 so should have leather.

 

I already posted a photo of the car wrapped around the transporter. I am still baffled as to how he did it, but it is now clear that the shipper will take no responsibility. I will have to learn some panel beating tech to fix this one.

 

Not bad for a first days dismantling. I didn't just remove the doors, I disassembled them first. Taking lots of pictures because in goodness knows how many months time, I will not remember what all the little bits were for.

 

Nice rust free doors. After spending most of my life fiddling with Yankee Iron, this is a strange little machine. Seriously, bits of it are held on with nails! That little filler piece at the top corner of the door has a plywood filler block behind it. Everything feels different from what I am used to, which is kind of refreshing.

 

Alphatrev,
Should be fun to watch this one! Looks like you have a great car to begin this project. I have posted a photo of the "original" coupe prototype before. Have you seen it?

Lin

 

there is/was a Brit in Orlando selling 2 MK-2 in restorable condition, both Auto. One is a 340. Also in Orlando there's British Autowood, who restores dashes.

 

will be following this with interest

 

how much do you plan to put on to your front doors,
I was thinking about 8" would look about right,
well that's what I shell put in mine,

 

I have seen that picture of the Jaguar Coupe prototype. There was an old photo I kept from a UK car mag called Custom Car probably from the 80's where a guy had made a 2 door coupe and I think he chopped the roof a little and it looked similar to that. If I can find it, I will scan it and put it up. I have also been following Jack The Lad on you tube for quite a while. That 2 door wide body is a great project. I would call it a 2 door sedan though. He seems to have stalled out on that project.

 

Yes, though a little too radical for my taste it was great fun watching Jack the Lad's YouTube videos. I hope he gets back to it before too long. I really want to see how it finally comes together.

Lin

 

how much do you plan to put on to your front doors,
I was thinking about 8" would look about right,
well that's what I shell put in mine,

 

jackthelad is back on with it,

 

You're right! I just watched the videos. His car is finally shaping up and I look forward to seeing how it turns out. I think he has fallen foul of the door lengthening problem where you need to pay attention to the curved body line. Look at his side view and the angle changes just behind the door. Not sure how I am going to get around this myself as I am still dismantling and evaluating what I have.