First to answer hellfish's question. (Thanks as you have prompted me to visit the Forum again...it has been a few years!) "I'm curious. Why did you shorten the body by 9" rather than extend the front doors a few inches and weld up the rear? That would seem easier." Of course it would have been easier but it doesn't look right proportionately. I've seen the red car and I don't see the point in it. By the way it sold on Barrett Jackson last month for less than $30k. Very disappointing. I wanted something different that nobody else has. I think it looks better proportionately by shortening it and now it is a true 2 door coupe. I have many picture of progress...so now I have to remember how to post them...picking up from where I left off 2 years ago.

 

The floor was rusted and had to be fixed so I cut it all out. This led to me putting gussets inside the frame rails and capping the existing (solid but dented) frame rails. I had 14 gauge U channels made up for the straight sections, and made plates for the front kick-ups and rear where the frame widens. I added strenghtening or crush tubes inside the rails where the transmission mount bolts pass through.

 

I then capped the top of the frame rails. The stock frame only used the floor pan to cap them. So now they are fully boxed and gusseted inside. Way overkill.

 

Next came the firewall to fix the holes and make room for a Chevy V-8. Eliminated battery tray area and sloped the side on the passenger side. I forgot to mention before all this, I made engine mounts using the stock frame perches. I used a front engine mount plate from Speedway but there wasn't room for side mounts and cushions. I also bought a Trans cross member and modified it. I'm rather proud of the engine mounts. I incorporated mounts to connect to the suspension cross-member and hold it rigidly. Additionally I put bushings in the front sandwich plates and welded plates to the Vee mounts. Now the whoile front suspension is rigid. More on this later.

 

I crated the transmission tunnel first knowing it would be the hardest part. I found a local shop with a bead roller to put strengthening ribs in the floor sheets. Lots of measuring, paper templates and numerous fitment sessions. Between the frame rails and flooring I must have made 1,000 spot welds...and of course had to grind it all smooth. Very tedious and long hours.

 

I also laid back the humped support in the rear originally for the rear seat support. By laying it back it fit the slope of the back of the bucket seats giving me more room to slide the seat back.

 

The stock brake pedal setup just wasn't going to cut it. I didn't want to use the complex original booster setup and pedals (for brake and clutch). So I bought a pedal box from Speedway motors and built the framework and a dog house for them. At the same time I cut out the upper firewall and put in a new one.

 

By the Way. I sold the "Nice" S-Type. I just didn't want to sink a ton of money restoring it while also building the coupe. I refer to the cut-up car as my Jag Rod but if I change the title of my thread I may lose you guys that are following this...?? Many more pics to come. I've completely rbuilt the front and rear suspension. Utilized 1990 XJS uprights/spindles and 4 piston calipers. The rear is really going to be cool to...stay tuned.

 

Glad you are posting again and sharing the photos. Great fun to watch the progress!
Lin

 

I bet this guy could build an airplane...he should be working for Northrop

 

Thanks for the updates! Very impressive.
Will you have a back seat when done?

 

To my friends who were following my progress; I started a new post in this Forum. The link to it is here:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/m...1/#post1822025

Titled "Jag Rod S Type 2 door Coupe"

Hope you tune back in. BTW. The reason for the delay....I spent over a year totally gutting and rebuilding my 1989 Sea Ray; 24ft cuddy cabin. All new stringers, sub-floor and main deck. Swapped the Alpha out-drive for the HD Bravo to handle the power from the new 383 CI Stroker motor. Went from stock 260HP to 450HP!!!!! Haven't had a chance to find the new top end speed yet.