Hello,
I figured I would start a new post since the fist post contains many different subjects wrapped into one.
I have managed to made the deal to buy the Jaguar 420. My plan is to use a tow bar and attach it to the front of the car. I intend to remove the bumper , and make my attachment to the frame supporting the bumper. I would like to know what you think of towing it this way?
Removing the bumper, only a few bolts, however they have not been removed maybe ever before. I plan to spray them with penetrating oil a few weeks in advance. Likely have to heat them with a torch.
Any suggestions and comments about my plan?
Thanks
Jimmy

 

the two bolts per bumper bracket are probably covered in anti-rust coating and they should turn easily.

Remove the under-bumper Valance first !!
It is very delicate thin steel and no longer available.

I would wrap a strong rope around the front suspension member to pull it but not for a long distance, have the car towed, it is safer.

 

I've towed my car only short distances, on to a trailer or along the driveway to my workshop. We've done that with rope attached to the lower wishbones.

 

I would consider using a trailer. If you are going any distance, you dont want to have to worry about flat tires, sticky brakes or other collateral damage. Congratulations!

 

Hello,

I agree with all these comments, and thanks for pointing out the sensitive parts.
The least costly option at the moment is a tow bar. It comes with all the risks that you mentioned and I have been thinking about.
The trailer can be rented, plus a truck, but then how do you get the beast on the trailer without a winch system
The other option is the front wheels on a car hauler. Could jack up the car on both sides and back up under it maybe.
Or can a flat bed and pay over $325. plus taxes.
Or find a person that does this as hobby and helpful sort, and pay them a lesser fee.
I suppose there is way to get the car on the trailer. I will think about that more. It is for sure less risk.

Thanks
Jimmy

 

STOP ! Your making this way harder than it needs to be. U haul here in the States will rent a trailer to you for $54 a day and that may be the cheapest solution - if you can get the car to roll up the ramps into the trailer. You might need the help of some sturdy lads. Alternatively, Have the car towed to your place by a professional tow truck company, for a couple hundred dollars I should think. Taking the bumper off and messing with whatever issues may go wrong / sideways in that endeavour sounds to me like the kind of thinking my brother and I engaged in when we were young and foolish (e.g. towing an MG TF 100 miles with a 15 foot rope - what could go wrong ?) Just my 2 cents worth .

PS Congratulations on the purchase and best of luck on your project ! keep us abreast the progress !
Cheers,
Schmitty

 

Definitely, if this is any distance on public roads, I'd call in a professional with a car trailer.
​​​​​

 

This is the least way I think that makes sense. Anything else is far more risk than you may tell yourself it is. We all can do this in a pinch for sure. Not only can your newly purchased project come off and be possibly irreparably damaged, it could also come of and injure, or worse, other folks. I always ask myself this way when assessing risk like this. I get everything is expensive nowadays but since this is a project, it's "extra", meaning this is not a situation where you just "gotta do what you gotta do"...id venture to bet that an insurance claim, lawsuit, loss of your investment should the vehicle get damaged, traffic ticket, any number of things is far more expensive than it costs to do this the safe and right way. Honestly, if you are in the US, post in Craigslist or FB Marketplace to see if anyone with a trailer or other means would do ot for a price. I have a winch on my car trailer so getting it on is not that big of a deal and I'm sure there are plenty of other guys out there like me with said equipment.

Side note, have you actually priced it out with several tow companies? I know as far as I'm concerned personally oftentimes I tend to think things are going to be more expensive than they actually are. My brother owns his own tow company and I asked him real quick just about what he would charge for something like that and he told me about $150 for 50 miles, which in my book is 100% worth it. Granted we are in a different area and prices very greatly depending on where you're at.

 

Hello again,
This was a sanity test, and apparently I have failed!
I enjoy putting myself out there for the group to get much needed feedback.
I have considered everything that has been mentioned.
I will let you know how it all turns out once I get to moving it.
All points are very appreciated.

 

the Factory Service Manual for my 1965 S type warns that if the car has an automatic transmission, it should only be towed with the REAR wheels OFF the ground or risk damaging the transmission. I don't know if this is the same for the 420 with auto or manual transmission.

Or alternately, disconnect the drive shaft from the rear axle, then it can be towed with REAR wheels ON the ground.

Or insure the car prior to moving it and take advantage of a $150.00 Towing allowance. (American Collectors Insurance).

I pay $100.00 annually for my two Jags. Everytime there is a hurricane / flood alert for my area, they pay me $250.00 per car to move them to high ground. They also have a $500.00 annual allowance for Parts and more benefits, such as Total Loss Agreed Value.

 

If you're a CAA member you should have towing included with your membership. How far do you have to go?

 

On the subject of towing a car with the rear wheels on the ground.
As a teenager and into my twenties I worked at a Texaco station. I towed many cars with a typical lift where you hook the car up from the front.
We never went that far as the station was in downtown Montreal. Mostly for simple breakdowns.
No one ever told me about possibly damaging the transmission. There were many cars I have towed, both front wheel and rear wheel drive cars.
I suppose this is a valid risk nonetheless.
Certainly for a short tow of a few kilometers I would not expect any damage. Longer journeys are another subject.

For the CAA comment. I do not have a membership. I would feel like I was taking advantage if I got a membership, and then towed this project car. (The tow company I called for an estimate actually suggested that I do just that, get a CAA membership. He would figure out how to make it work!) At this point is sounds like the trailer and pushing the car onto it, is a safe bet. And yes U-haul has those. Just need a truck to go with it.

Thanks for all the ideas
Jimmy

 

When I put a "dead" car on my trailer i use a "come-a-long" or 2 if its a heavy one. its an excellent cardio workout (joke) and will definitely make you feel like youve accomplished something. I have to agree though, if you dont have a trailer or anything to pull one, then youre probably best off calling a wrecker.

 

The transmission pump isn't turning when the engine isn't running, so there is no lubrication of internal part of the transmission, even though the shafts are turning if the car is being towed on its wheels. The bushings inside the transmission can tolerate the lack of lubrication for a while, but the tow distance is limited. It also depends on the particular transmission, as different ones have different lubrication systems.

Other thought on towing the car on it's wheels, is you don't know the condition of the tires or inner tubes. If it has been sitting for a quite a while it's possible the tires are dry rotted and will come apart when you start moving it. I'd feel much more comfortable having all the wheels off the ground. That could be on a flatbed truck, or a conventional truck with the dollies they use under the rear wheels.

There may be independent owner/operator tow truck services available they may be more reasonable than a larger tow operator.

Not sure about Montréal, but here in Calgary a decent trailer costs about $125/day to rent. Add to that a truck, fuel, a winch to get the car up onto the trailer and it might be a similar amount of money to get a tow truck. Certainly less effort!

 

Not to even start (continue?) Any debate or anything but I was honestly curious so I asked my brother who has a tow company and has been towing for years and years. I know he uses his wrecker a lot so I asked him. He said he never toes rear wheel drive vehicles from the front. Not only that when you tow from the rear, which is how you were supposed to do it to protect the transmission, you need to use a ratchet strap or some other means to hold the steering wheel straight ahead. The reason being is because of what is stated above.

Side note, not sure how long it's been since you tried to push a vehicle up even the slightest incline, but my wife my 16-year-old daughter and myself tried to push my x-type into the garage which I thought was flat ground but was slightly inclined turned out pretty impossible to do and that's a light vehicle by and large. Had to end up using my tractor to push it in there. I'm not saying you can't do it with like three pretty buff dudes but the ease at which it is may sneak up on you although your idea of jacking it up and putting it on jack stands and sort of backing the trailer underneath it isn't that bad of an idea actually.

 

The front valance cover is readily available. I fitted a new one to my car copper washers and all. Part number BD25969. Barratts will get you one in 2 days. It's just a special order item.






You don't want a thing that looks like this. It displays the entire below bumper profile of the front of the car. Must be painted body colour.

 

Refresh page for edit:

 

Today March 6 2024: Just to let you know I am still waiting on the seller to get the paperwork straightened out with the SAAQ.

[size=13px]SAAQ - Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec. I am hoping that this will be cleared up soon. [/size]

As for moving the car, it would appear that a CAA membership at the cost of $200 per year, can be used to tow a fair distance. As long as the owner of the membership is with the vehicle being towed. That will be the route to take to move it!

To move it around on my property, I plan to use the tow bar. I don't want it sitting in my garage for extended period time.

Thanks for all the responses, they are indeed very helpful.