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I just picked up an unusual XKE and went looking for a Picture Post thread and was shocked, I tell you, shocked that there wasn't one. So I complained to JimC and (you'd think I'd have learned by now) he suggested I start one. So I'll start this with a picture of my first XKE a Series 1.5, I think the color was called English Fog, roadster. I think it was the first car I ever loved. Sorry for the quality, these were scanned from old pictures.
OK now I'll move to my latest acquisition, a 1970 Series II. I've always wanted to take an XKE and update it, a lot. But taking a pristine car would be sacrilege and getting a beat up XKE would be a nightmare (I had a '64 that had racing cams and 45 CFM side draft Webbers which was abused and I think I worked for it). So I've been looking for a car in decent shape that someone else had modified. So these pictures are the before pictures (I haven't even received the car yet, it should ship out next week). I know the shifter definitely has to eventually go but, I expect, I'll be reworking the entire interior. Engine is a'68 Corvette 327 coupled to a 4 speed transmission with lock up torque converter. I'll likely take it to a series 1 front headlight treatment and fix the back (not sure what the builder was thinking about for that it's butt doesn't look that great and I have no idea where I'll put the license plate). Anyway should be a fun project.
Thanks Jim! Figured I'd post what I want to do with the car's back end and interior. Here are the pictures and links (both are V8 conversions one with a Chrysler engine and the other, be still my beating heart, a modern LS).
This says '68, but '68s got those stupid raised headlights (otherwise it would be my favorite year for the car given the changes that year made the cars a ton easier to service). Did you do the headlight conversion? Only reason I ask is I'm planning on doing that with my '70 and wondered if you had any advice. Nice 2+2!
Rob, yes you are right, there should be open headlights/eyebrows on my series 1.5. When I bought it, there had been a restoration performed about 20 years earlier and I guess the original bonnet was too far gone. Back then there were suppliers building series 1 fibreglass reproduction bonnets for the E-Type (for track racing) but not metal ones, so they used one of the glass repro bonnets in their restoration. So the car is a bit of a Frankenstein, but still a joy to own and drive.
By the way I've sourced two Series 1 conversion kits for Series II and III cars: The one in the US is damn near exact but I like the look of the European one better. Here is the link to the US kit and the email for the European kit is here. The picture is of the installed European kit. dognextdoor1@gmail.com
Nice car, looks like she is sitting high in the front though, may be the road. The yellow is very subtle. Looks like you did the headlight conversion, came out nice!
Yep, crossing the railroad above speed limit made it look like sitting high on the front axle.
The headlight conversion was done by the previous owner. But very happy with it though! And al the original parts came with the car.
Just ran into this, full updated lights, surprised how well they fit. The fab work must have been ugly, the mirrors really don't work for me and why do the center stop light? https://autowise.com/strange-jaguar-...n-370z-lights/
Have to agree with the thoughts on the mirrors and high mounted stop light. Otherwise a unique take on updating a XKE. To each there own, I do like the rounded wheel wells, and the wheel tire combo. But all in all maybe just a little to much?
The headlights and tail lights are growing on me (that's always expensive) agree on the wheel wells, nicely done. But all together, agree, a bit much...
Official XKE Picture Post Thread
