This winter is being spent finishing the upholstery (done tomorrow) and tackling some small, inconsequential issues. I think I've mentioned in previous posts that a fancy delay-on relay failed to turn the electric water pump on and the ground wire doesn't get from here to there in the horn circuit. The vinyl I used to recover the ski slope was loosing it's eye appeal and I had a continuing dislike for the stock shift knob, much too small and misshapen. I decided to do something about it.

The lack of feed-back from the electric water pump and the electric cooling fans really bothered me so I decided to connect "idiot lights" up to each of those circuits and mount them in the forward edge of the SS. I added two more lights to the other side to balance the look, but they aren't hooked to anything yet. Both lights are wired though the last connection on each circuit and sense the appropriate polarity from the load side of the connector.

The alternate horn position was easier to position, but just as "fiddly" to wire. It's also in the SS and the button ring is illuminated with the head/park lights. Extending the original ground wire from the steering column to the console and a couple more connections and now the horn toots.

I initially covered the SS with winter grade vinyl (soft, flexible) but it was too thick to wrap around the sides of the SS which left it looking pretty good at 10', but nothing closer. I had the bright idea to use real leather, but it had to be thin. I stopped at a local leather and fur shop and walked away with a large piece of black deer leather. It has the feel of warm butter and is as thin as a fine ladies glove. I learned that there is a spray adhesive meant just for leather, metal, wood and managed to find a couple of cans locally. It is sooo much better than the standard 77 or 90 general use spray adhesive for leather, metal, as in this case. The other series are great for other applications. You can't really tell there is real leather on the SS by looking, but you can sure tell when you touch it.

Gear shift knob. Much too small to actually get hold of and the bullet shape on each side just made it worse. After researching for awhile, I discovered the shape of the shift shaft was not going to allow a traditional round screw-on knob. I don't have a lathe in my shop so I converted the drill press for the job. One of my favorite accent woods is called Purple Heart and I still have a couple of nice pieces. I spent two or three hours shaping what you see in the picture and gave it about six coats of semi-gloss lacquer. Fits in the hand like a roll of quarters, but I realize it's not for everyone. While the console was opened up again, I took the the shift shaft out and ground the extra "lock-out tang" between 2nd and 1st off. It interfered with making a smooth shift lever movement between 3rd and 2nd with the four speed 4L60e.

Dave

 

the shifter knobs turned out very nice

 

very inventive. nice work. i do like the "roll of quarters" look and the feel it probably much improved over oem tapered design. however, i feel fabricating your design out of a black material would blend better with your great looking leather bound ss and the other black trim in the car as well. again, nice work.

also, i can't tell from the picture but it looks like you eliminated the "computer" on the dash and replaced it with a clock? how did you cover the large rectangular whole? looks good. ren

 

Very nice, Dave!
As you mention, the roll-of-quarters shifter wouldn't do for everyone, like me as I have small hands and find the OEM bullet shifter just right, but I can understand how it might be better for a guy with bigger hands. The Purple Heart looks very nice as an accent; good job on that.

And no. there's Nothing quite like the feel of Real Leather!
(';')

 

Thanks ren, now that you bring it up I still have a few pieces of African Ebony and I can visualize that color very nicely. Might be another winter project.

I did away with a few items in my rebuild. The OEM computer, non-stock radio, and the OEM cruise control on the left wing. I don't use them in my other cars and I used the space more to my taste.

I made a blank for the computer opening from 1/2" furniture plywood and glued it in place with JB Weld on the inside. I used JB Weld to fill voids and level the outside surface and then veneered the piece normally. The holes were cut out using "forstner bits" from the back of the panel. I use masking tape on the show-side to prevent splintering as the bit comes through. There isn't much space behind this area, but I found an LED digital clock from Intellitronix that was thin enough to fit.

You didn't ask, but the radio was substituted with a hand-built "cubby" to give some place to put the odd bits and pieces you wish you had as you're driving around.

The cruise control?? Never use it and I needed the real estate on the wing.

 

These Jaguar saloons really do get around the world. An XJ6 in Alaska of all places; wow !!

 

I've never seen another Series Jaguar on the roads in the 75 years I've lived here. Mine was purchased new in Florida, as far from Alaska as you can get (on dry land) and still be in the USA.

Dave

 

I admire that you are willing to go non-oem. i always felt we can improve upon what came out of the factory a little here and there. nothing is ever perfect as the factory looked to cut costs (like installing a neutral, tan-like headliner in many S3 where it wasn't appropriate causing me to go black). There's always room for a tweak here and a tweak there.

 

Thank you for your kind words, as I've said many times before, I am completely rebuilding this car not restoring it. This one is my last and I'm adding (or subtracting) to my taste, without being being stupid of course.

RE: The new gear shift knob. I remember now why I chose purple heart, I didn't have a piece of ebony the right size and purple heart matches the exterior of the car. It will probably stay as is.

Dave