Here's an interesting video tour of the Jag factory thirty years before the Ford engineers got their hands on the production processes. With almost every step being linked to a human action, it's not too difficult to understand why QC was such a problem on all cars of this era. Not to fault the Coventry workers; but rather, to compare today's digital-robotic production techniques. For example, watch how the crankshafts are balanced and ground.

The factory scenes start at the 2:00 minute mark

 

Fascinating!

 

Great video. Takes me back to the days when I had a lot more hair and a lot less worries.

Now I know exactly who is to blame for all the straight six XK engines I destroyed back in the early 70's with dropped valve inserts.

Graham

 

And that is how the Jaguars were made.

 

Superb

 

WOW! Thanks for that. Who knew that pearls were worn by the women who wired the panels? A wonder the cars didn't cost more.

 

Loved it, thanks for posting!

 

Outstanding history lesson!

 

Fascinating. Explains a lot about the reputation.

 

I like the way they first balance the crankshaft! Simply rest it on two parallel bars and observe whether or not it rolls to one side or the other. Hi Tech NOT.

 

And to think that was hi tech way of doing it then……