From Julie C – It is 2am and I walk into our darkened bedroom and announced that I had bid on a car, I couldn’t take it back, and that I was not sorry. My husband groaned and rolled over never quite wakening. Ok, due diligence done and I can say I told him about it last night and he must not have been listening to me again. Of course, I get a call from him at lunch. I know that he checks our watchlist for the auction site every day to see if I found any new and interesting cars. The first words out of his mouth were “A Jaguar D-Type! Holy!”. My bid was $2. with a max of $100. I was winning so far. “Of course you know there is no way we are going to win this thing, right?”. My defensive reply was “it’s Christmas and we could get a Christmas Miracle.”
“Uh huh, it would take a miracle.”
My husband and I have been married for 34 years and we are car people. My husband likes American muscle cars the best, but for me it is the British sports cars, Jaguar being my top wish. This probably seems like a totally reasonable dream to many of you but to my husband and I… well we are working class people and we never seem to be able to have a job at the same time. Money is very tight right now. The closest we ever came to owning a Jag was looking at an XJS. They are pretty cars but the drive quality just didn’t appeal to me. Give me a small British roadster any day over that!
So how did we get the Jaguar D-Type for $325.? Well about 4 years ago I found this Auto insurance Auction website. It starts with a C and ends with a T. It took me a long time to figure out the ins-and outs of their rules, but now I pretty much search their site for interesting cars about every 3 days. I have seen some really interesting cars go through their site. But remember most of these cars are in bad, bad shape. You have to do it that often because sometimes they sneak a car in that is going up for auction in 3 days which is what happened to the D-type. I never would have found the car because it was put under “other goods” instead of “automobiles” because it was sold without a vin number. Hardly anyone checks “other goods” because they are usually an office chair or a bicycle, but I checked it that night and found this D-Type recreation.
The D-type was melted. Most of the body and all of the interior had been burned, but by the grace of God the drive train looked not terrible and you could see that D-type outline in the burned hulk. Normally my husband would just look at something in that shape and tell me a decisive “no”, but this time he said we should up the bid limit to $1,000. This meant that we would be eating rice and beans for a month because I just graduated college and am looking for a job. The auction day came and one other person bid on the car, but stopped bidding at $275. We won that auction but the car was on approval and I knew they wouldn’t approve that little money. The car went up for auction again this time starting at $300. I put down $325. and watched the auction again. No one else bid and I won again. The owner had 3 days to approve or deny it and the day before Christmas Eve at 8:00pm we found out that they had accepted the bid and the car was ours! Our Christmas Miracle had come to pass.
Now, the car was in Tulsa, OK and we live north of Atlanta, GA. We called a transportation company, but were jerked around. The driver came and saw the car and refused to load it because he said it wasn’t a real car, that it was just a load of junk, and he wanted $150 for his wasted time. So my husband and I rented a trailer, hooked it up to our Avalanche ($3000 from auction), and we drove 13 hours to Tulsa. We picked up the D-type in the morning and when it came out on the forks, I felt like crying. Have you ever seen a D-Type? It is a truly a beautiful car. You could still see the Le Mans headrest and to think that we now owned a Jaguar D-type replica was staggering. We never even thought that we could own a D-type recreation or otherwise. This car is “our pearl of great price”. You couldn’t buy this car from me for any amount of money. Even if we couldn’t restore it, it was worth it just to see it everyday in our garage.
I know it’s bad and most of you are thinking the word “stupid” about now, but my husband and I are masters at how to do things for little or no money. We roll up our sleeves, search for cheap parts, and if we can’t afford it, we make it ourselves. Before you laugh we also have a beautiful C-6 in our garage that started out as a wreck before we rebuilt it. I figure it will take 2-3 years but we will finish it and you will see it online or on the street. We are going to drive the snot out of it when we finish it. I will go to the grocery store in it if it’s a nice day!
When we got it home and began to look at what we had, my husband found the tag that said recreation by Ram Engineering and built by Holly Classics. We went online and found the car when it had just been built. This isn’t a cheap kit car. This was a work of automotive art and it is sitting in our garage. I will try to keep you updated and if you have any advice other then “use it as a boat anchor”, we would love to hear from you. And if you live in North Atlanta and would like to turn a wrench, we will be here most weekends lovingly taking it apart and putting it back together again after we repair it.
Good buy. Worse have been fixed. Lots of luck with restoring it or parting it out.)
As they say in Atlanta, “Bless your heart…”. This is easily the most ambitious project I’ve ever seen, so I’m looking forward to seeing updates on it. Will you be trying to find another identical kit car, maybe an unfinished one, to source a new body?
Julie, great story. Have fun. Please send updates.
Itd be worth far more even if just used as “art” Bad choice of words, but that is way cool
I’d wear gloves when handling all that glass strand.
great story there! I see a few years of fun rebuilding this in the garage. I hope this Jag rebuild is your best story yet! Cheers
I bought an Airstream one time from them with smoke damage inside.Two Days of cleaning and it looked like new.payed $ 300.00 + Auction fee’s.
Good luck from uk, don’t know anything about jags but if i can help. Dave Felton
Wish I could find a D type for $325, all the very best of luck with your ambitious project
Its so good you’re both into it. I could easily see this as the “Honey I bought something” that ends up in divorce court.
I admire your passion, and ambition, best of luck with the whole project, and thanks for sharing your great story, and of course, keep us updated with your progress!
You might have to sell the C6 Vette for the kind of money this is going to cost to restore, but if able to pull off it have at it. Cars are more about the passion they bring to those that are proud to own them than the financial value. I hope your able to see it back to life and feel the pride of doing so. What would the value be on one of these in good driver condition? Being a reproduction is it considered a one off or a kit car?
A fantastic find and what a bargain. It’s great to here of cars being brought back from the brink. I would love it to be at my house over here in Scotland.
Get in, get your hands dirty and please don’t forget to let us see the end result even if it does take 3 years.
Money talks but 2 pairs of good hands gets more done!
The fact that you were not born with a silver spoon in your mouth gives you more credibility with this interesting, if challenging, project.
h
What is that car in the picture? It’s beautiful and unique, I’ve been working on cars for 44yrs and I’ve never seen one, very cool!
Looks like a German Ford Taunus.
That’s an early 60’s English Ford Capri. Based on the Consul platform. Little if any connection to German Ford products.
A lot of styling in common with a 60 Ford Sunliner.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Consul_Classic#Consul_Capri
Jim, it’s my 1962 Ford Consul Capri, built in Dagenham, England. The first 400 were LHD for export to Europe.
Ford pulled the plug after only making 19,000 in 4 years.
This one has had the 1500cc engine removed and fitted with a V8 Chevy 5700cc engine and autobox.
Isn’t it supa!, it’s a 61-63 Ford Capri, Ford saw all the manufacturers selling 1500cc sporty cars and got into the business with their all new car, Since they knew nothing about sports cars they made a number of blunders,: anemic carburetion, strange ratio’d box with non syncro low etc. It was a nice personnel car but Brits raced EVERYTHING and that Ford wasn’t a contender. Finally after a few tries Cosworth Racing was called in and produced their first production engine for the Capri GT!
The reason they’re so rare is that the new American Mustang was coming out and they didn’t want to compete with that car that would sell many more and make much more money!
Very ambitious project, but very exciting indeed. I agree that the cars should be about the owners’ passion, and not about the value.
And, I love the story of this acquisition. I was feeling the excitment as I read the story, and the elation at the winning bid, followed by the disappointment at sellers non-approval, only to be elated again when they accepted the new bid.
This car definitely went to the right owners in this bit of Karma.
Best of luck to both of you and happy to help in any way that I can.
Perhaps you should open a Gofundme account or other crownd source funding source for this restoration project. You might be surprised who will donate, andf how much, especially with your story of passion and tenacity.
By the way, is the center tub section really an aluminium monocogue design like the original or is that glasfibre as well? The rivits make it look like real aluminium, and if so, quite valuable and fortunate that it did not melt as well. The glasfibre parts could be done by someone who is skilled enough to pull that off, or perhaps the factory that produces these replicas might donate (or seriously discount) and front and tail sections for an ambitious but financially limited couple who is resurrecting one of their creations?
Best of luck with this project.
Chas
Hay thanks
the car is fiberglass with aluminum on the trans tunnel and firewall
I guess we should find out about a gofundme account
thanks again
Any progress on the car? Or pictures? You started a firestorm of emotional conversation at the beginning, myself I’m glad you got the car and it should be a nice project and quite a nice car to drive when finished. If you can please put up some progress reports when possible. Thanks
Julie, Your husband is very lucky. He has two very rare gems. It is very hard to find a woman that really shares the passion for anything automotive but being able to see a vehicles true inner beauty despite its condition is truly remarkable for anyone. Wanting to save and restore it is priceless. YOU are one of a kind! Good luck. Great story and great deal.
Julie, I love your story! Sometimes I take on old projects that people think I am crazy for doing, but you guys REALLY Rock!! Please re-read “Chas” post above… I think he is on to something with both his ideas, but especially the “Gofundme” idea. With the down-to-earth nature of your team of two, and the limited budget, just out of school, female mechanic, great classic car,…all of those things would make a really great cause for others to donate to… really!! Best wishes!
Julie two things. First, you and your husband are absolutely insane. And you are my kind of people. Can’t wait to see your progress here.
Enjoyed this. Great story Julie… I hope you will post pictures of the progress and more importantly a picture of the D Type at the grocery store.
Hang in there! We’re presently racing an Austin Healey Sprite in SCCA’s road racing series that spent some time in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida. After two years, 22 square feet of sheet metal, numerous replacement panels and over 300 hours of welding we have a car that has won the class championship twice and come in second or third the rest of the time. Owned a ton of cars but this one has been the most successful… and most fun! Bob
so skipping the boat anchor comment…..don’t inhale the glass!
Could that be Realm engineering? (RAM engineering seems to be one of their companies) http://www.realmengineering.com/page4.html
Their D Type body tub certainly looks like yours with the aluminum center tub section. In any case, you have an incredable find and indeed much more than the usual kit car. If you open a Gofundme account I’ll be among the first to donate, not much, but it would be an honor to skip a few lunches for your Jag!
This is an amazing story, definitely a contender for the most unusual and unlikely story ever on BF.
I see lots of fragmented ‘Glas and some partly melted aluminum, but I also see what look like many usable parts that could likely be saved and would be worth having as the basis for a D-Type re-recreation. But whatever happens to them they look like they have value way beyond what you paid. It would be worth getting a D Type or vintage Jag expert to look things over and give you an idea what you have.
I hope you will let everyone know what happens with your project. Good luck!
If you end up doing the fibreglass work yourself consider apoxy resin for your repairs it is stronger, easier to work with nicer finish, and a lot less odour. however it is more expensive. The resin that I was using up here in AB Canada when I built my sidecar body was called silver streak purchased from a western Canadian company called industrial plastics and paints. The apoxy resin that I used cost about $100.00 per litre and has a tensile strength of 13000 psi. Good luck with your project it is nice to see someone that is in the hobby for the cars not the money. PS know is a good time to buy products out of Canada with our week dollar right know you will save 25 to 30 cent for every US dollar you spend.
yes building a fiberglass body could work
just need to build a good mold
I can picture Monty Python’s Eric Idle selling this car: “Oh no problems, really! Nothing a little spit polish and elbow grease can’t fix! Why, you’ll be driving down the road in your classic D-Type Jaguar in no time at allllllllllll! Oh that? Well, all engines have fire, it’s called combustion! What would an engine be without combustion?!! Come on, let’s go!”
LMAO! Too funny!
“We are the Knights who say JAG”
I think it will be blue – no green “aaahhhhhhhh”
Definitely my kind of people! For that kind of money, it’s a “no brainer”……..you could part it out and make far more than what you paid. I’d contact Ram Engineering and Holly Classics to see if they’d be willing help out! With your story and back ground, they just might help! You never know until you ask. Let them know a lot of people are following your story on Barn Finds and any help they provide would be great advertisement for them. I love the “GoFundMe” idea. Please post progress pics.
You have made a very smart buy which will entail exhaustive but rewarding work. Because is is a D type you will do well, even with high restoration cost. I restored a 120 that was so rusted out it should have been parts, but the work and $$$ came back after eight years fun driving it. So be proud and get to work!
Well done! Good luck! I hope your dreams of driving it will come true!
Congratulations from an eastern neighbor in Athens ! I think it’s great that you do the car thing as a couple and wish you the best of luck as you embark on this project. Conceptcarz auction results for the D-Type – http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/default.aspx?carID=7337&i=8#menu – shows a few recreations under their auction results heading, some of which seem to be worth a good deal of money. Also, congratulations on being a non-traditional college grad, and good luck in your job search . . .
I big howdie Julie, grate grab, do you have a sister? ;>)
just caught it, “great” grab. I find it refreshing that all of the comments are positive ones. Bueller, Bueller!
We need more ladies here to keep the boys polite!!
As a replica, well it will always be a repilca. As one of the most beautiful cars ever built… well I agree that you got a great find. ‘Just a flesh wound’ resonates with me.
Call Jersey Joe if you need any little bits. He always finds a source out there somewhere for jag stuff. Best of luck. P.S. wash with cold water to get the fiberglass itch off. Works wonders..
Really really cool.
Thanks guys! I didn’t even know they had put the story up until I checked the site on break. I have been up to my elbows in soap and water and metal polish this week end. We cut the melted tires off and I have been cleaning up the wheels, hubcaps and and knock offs. They are coming out better than I thought but one of the hub caps had folded. I knew with it creased I couldn’t repair it back to normal so I practiced hammering the aluminum back into shape. From 15 feet away it looks fine but don’t we all look better from 15 feet away? Ha. I am going to put some used tires on the rims just so I can roll it around the garage and the dented hubcap will do until I can find another one. My husband found half a seat under the fiberglass and told me that it will be easy for me to make new seats now. Yeah, easy… right. He is looking at making a wiring harness and is going to start looking for a brake and clutch master cylinder. Anyone have a Willwood cylinder and pedal assembly laying around gathering dust in their garage? We’ll rebuild it and I will make you a tray of the best Sicilian lasagne you’ve ever tasted!
Here is my big question I need help with. I was thinking about laying some fiberglass hardener on the body to lay the fibers down and stiffen the body some. I think I could repair the rear clip with fiberglass cloth but my husband is doubtful. I need advice! Also, do you think I will go to hell if I put down some plywood floorboards?
Thank you all for the kind words. I really appreciate that there are other people out there that dream too.
Oh and all the warnings about fiberglass, you were a day late.
Julle, I don’t think you could harm that rear clip by laying on more ‘glas than has already been done to it by fire. Best to build a support under the missing parts first, maybe woven wire or something similar. Get a book on working with ‘glas. You will probably learn a lot about working ‘glas if you do anything along that line. And strong but thin, flexible vinyl gloves are best.
Anything you put in for floors is always reversible, especially plywood. And as far as I can tell, you will be going to Heaven for what you are doing, not the other way.
I know that ydnar has already asked, but do you have another sister, especially a twin?
Great advice. That is exactly what I needed.
Oh, and I have 3 sisters all married I’m afraid but they aren’t into cars other than getting new ones. My husband, silver tongued devil that he is, tells me that I was the pick of the litter.
Thanks for the reply, and the best of wishes on the car. Well, it looks like my search for a soulmate is still ongoing.
“If there is will, there is a way.” ……….some determined individual one day.
These types of projects get done if you are determined to finish them. Creatively visualize the day that you finally have it finished so that you can drive it. Imagine getting the license plates, and registration finalized. And imagine the sound of that engine when it gets fired up. Once the engine is fired up you will be itching to take it around the block for a test run.
all my best, Bob.
Plywood floors will work all MGA’s have plywood floors and probably many cars used plywood floors. No one will see it anyways
One of the best things you can ever learn in this hobby (and really, this life) is to be able to do a lot with a little. Congratulations on your lucky buy, and on having the guts to take this on. Keep us updated.
As far as the floorboards, the few English cars I’ve worked on had a very nice quality plywood as floors. I’d seal them with 3-4 coats of an epoxy based exterior sealer-stain, there’s probably a hundred choices out there. It may not have to be marine quality expensive just a few good coats.
For the fiberglass, go ahead and give it a coat outside and inside, it will help while you’re handling it. Sand or brush off loose crap so it penetrates, use plenty of ventilation.
You did good. Even parted out, you have alot more than $1000, but feel bad for the guy who’s car got fried like that.
I admire you for taking on this project. With my wife’s approval, I bought a 38 Chevy pickup 4 years ago that had gone through a flood, and then stashed away in a barn for 50 years…huge project… *but*
Amazingly, with lots of patience, I have slowly and inexpensively accumulated ever single thing I need.
People will help you with your project, but it takes patience!
Great Story!!
As an outboard mechanic for 58 years, my world doesn’t need any more “boat anchors!” However, if you keep that thought to yourself, there are a fair number of boat builders who are masters with ‘glas, and would be intrigued to be asked for input (read: free advice and help!), just as many of us techs can’t help being sucked into the most hideous of impossible projects, just to prove “it CAN be done!” Look for old masters at independent boat yards; many will be in the Carolinas. Above all, have fun!
Good for you, don’t ever back down from a project no matter what, that’s the whole point of building cars! If we wanted a return on every dollar we’s all be bankers. But we have a need to create, don’t ignore that, good luck on the project and those Jag’s are beautiful cars. Now I’m a widower, any chance you have a sister?…
Julles, its time for a new body… for the car.
You will have a GREAT car when done if you start with a new body, to band-aid the fiberglass together is a loosing proposition IMHO. Once the glass is cooked it will have no strength, and to splice in new with no forms is far more difficult that you may expect. Obviously you need a nose piece anyway, one step further to get the whole thing, and a much much more successful project if you do.
While you are looking for the body, fix up all the hundreds of other parts to this project that you will be able to save. Maybe even consider putting the useable parts on a “real” E-Type body that has sad mechanicals and make a hybrid of the two!
Of course finding reasonable priced shell might be hard as well, but at least you have a “Jag” in the end instead of a “Sag”.
Good Luck !
I notice the six spare spark plugs in the bracket on the firewall, great, one less expense in the resto project !! Definitely not one for the feint hearted, you go girl, (and guy).
Good luck, keep us all posted and we want progress pics.
Tony …. ‘Oztralia’
That is certainly the best BF story yet, and I’m full of admiration for you guys. For your vision and ambition in particular. Like everyone else here, I want to see updates on your progress. Well, well done.
Awesome find!
Copart shows the burned Jag in a garage. The insurance estimated the repairs at $75,000. Link here:
http://www.copart.com/us/Lot/21944695/Photos?SearchId=352620875
Find a body and you are on your way!
Best of luck, folks!!! If I’m headed to ATL anytime soon I’ll see if I can stop in and give you some grunt labor for a day!
Congrats on the great find! Just the kind of “car” project I usually end with and hope to find one day again soon. I just discovered that same car site and had no idea you could find such treasures. I am now hooked and will get to digging into the site once I get my current project wrapped.
I too am in N Atlanta and would love to see it one day, in any condition and would even help turn those wrenches!
Chris
Bloody fantastic. 25 years ago I saw an ad for an early Mini in our local paper. My wife, a car nut had always wanted one. I took a look, came home and described what was left of the car, which had a small tree starting to grow thru the floor. She insisted I drag it home. For the next 4 years, most of her birthday and Christmas presents were parts for the Mini, which she happily accepted. Over those 4 years plus another one we completed a ground up on what proved to be a very early Mini. In the subsequent 25 years since we finished it, my wife has driven the wheels off her awarding winning Little Red.
Good luck with the project, you’ll get many years of enjoyment from both the rebuild and ultimately playing with it.
The original floorboards in my 120 were plywood, so I’m betting your floorboards were as well.
I’m sure you’ve found them already, but these folks should be able to help with a replacement body if you want to go that route: http://race-car-replicas.com/rcr-d-type/
You Go GIRL!!!!!!!!
This is what Barn Finds needs. Not just the amazing cars that are found…but what people do with them after they are rescued.
I will be watching for updates!
Jay
I know a guy that built a beautiful 1912 Renault Landaulette (as in the picture) out of the original engine, gearbox, diff and half a wooden wheel that was in latter life used to power a saw mill, before being dumped into a river when the engine finally seized.
Nothing is impossible with the right resources and enthusiasm. Good luck with your project we will all be eagerly awaiting your up dates
As one that has gambled many times on extreme projects……and usually won…..the comments in this particular thread are incredibly positive……I love the challenge of finding parts and working through the automotive puzzles that I commit to. To me, it is the best part of the hobby. It takes no skill or knowledge to sighn a check and buy something finished and shiney, but to find it, locate the parts and obtain the skills to put it all together. That is the best. Good luck and avoid any naysayers.
May I suggest you spend $50 or so and join your local chapter of the Jaguar Club of North America. http://www.jcna.com. You will find plenty of folks with incredible expertise and there are forums dedicated to C and D types where you can ask questions and get lots of help. It will be the best $50 you spend in the time it will save you.
great help I’ll do that
I’m so jealous! You and your husband are very lucky people. please send updates!
I disagree……….they made there own luck.
Good luck, and I hope you are able to restore this once-beautiful car. I recognized the car from the very first photo. I knew the car before the fire, and when I walked through the garage the morning after it burned, I was stunned at the devastation. This wasn’t the only car burned, as the photos suggest. That’s a Lanchester next to it. The guys who built it are friends of mine here in Arkansas, and they had a wonderful collection.
PLEASE, please, post photos when the car once again looks like it used to! That’s the way I want to remember her…
If we saw the burned garage picks we might have passed
believe it or not the car is looking better after cleaning
we are cleaning the rusty wheels for used tires while we work
It sounds like the company making those replicas is using parts off a XJ6, so if you picked up a cheap XJ6 and did some research which years had the most applicable donor parts you would be well set with many useable parts from engine, to driveline, brakes, master cylinder, and sundrys such as wiring, and other bits.
I would also suggest that, I suspect replacement body panels from the UK will be hard to get and or expensive, so instead do some research on fiberglass as suggested. However. search for big sheets and chunks of styrofoam, Research how to cut and shape it, you can also use spray expanding foam, recreate the body shape, get final smoothness with bondo, use the proper RELEASE agent, then lay up your fiberglass and Voila! You will have new body work. Its a long learning curve so learn from others, however once you get the skills, its not that hard or difficult to recreate what you need. Thats the great thing about fiberglass.
This is a great story and really cool to see people taking something like this on. Too many naysayers and negativity, Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Do some websearchs and a guy i know built some cool stuff. Its not fiberglass but for inspiration research : Sean Korb, The Suprang Great fab work, and engineering and should give you some ideas. I have done several kit cars myself and there is resources if you reach out. PS. My current kit car project is a Fiberfab Banshee – Caribee. Building it on a Datsun 260Z donor car with Chevy V8 and 5 speed.
it looks like some parts are xj6
the xj6 parts look mostly ok
i think the hardest part of fiberglass would be an accurate mold
Julles, There are many ways to do this, and above all do your research, theres several good books on fiberglass, and a lot of online resources as well as the suggestion to enlist help from experienced guys like boat builders. Locally here in Oregon I live near Wescotts auto restyling, In the hot rodding hall of fame and they pioneered the fiberglass body business. Lots to learn and amazing resources out there if you look.
One point though, not enough time or the forum to talk you thru the whole process but you DO NOT need a mold for a one off project. Molds are for making parts for production or spares. Hopefully you never need any spares or more. So just building up a one off part you can lay up fiberglass on a buck. As i described above, you recreate the body shape with styrofoam, spray expanding foam, rough it in, and then a layer of bondo you sand and shape to the final finished shape, Then using release compound, you lay the glass over that shape. For a one off part like yours, this is the easiest and most cost effective way of doing it. If you have access to the tech, people now are using CAD/CAM and 3d modeling to create the parts to make the Bucks to model the glass over. I have some bucks here for Motorcycle parts for custom building alloy body work.. They were created using this software. But old school way is styrofoam and bondo. GM, Ford and others did this as well with clay.
Great job and I wish you guys the best. I love the support from everyone on this, I’m just hoping its not just because its a D-type……Everyone has their own taste and desires in the car world. Be it a pinto or a lambo, we like what we like….That said, an F’ing D type, your lucky SOB
I’m am so excited for you!! Love the story, thanks for sharing it with us all.
I am a man of humble means as well, but I have restored some great cars that started out in very bad condition. But with patience and perseverance you will do great with this wonderful project!!! Good luck and I look foward to all your updates!!
Rick
Ok, back to the subject of “How to get a D-Type for $325.00.”
Help us out with the auction site, we’d all like to hit a grand slam!! This
one should keep you busy for a while.
Copart
If you will send me your email address, I would be glad to forward some photos of the car, before the fire.
I’ve seen the car several times in the “flesh”.
Sure was beautiful!
Jim that is fantastic! Now I want to see them too!!
great story. i love that it is a family project and the car will be saved. please keep us updated. thanks.
Awesome find, we are of like mind, I know what you mean about a “our pearl of great price” I traded two cars up to a 1991 Lotus Elan, another british fiberglass car. I think I would try to get a nose and tail section from Realm Engineering when and if you can. They gave that car away. We do need a forum/blog to track your progress.
Headmaster – you deserve some lashes with a wet noodle! On the other hand you were spot-on!
My pulse jumped and I got sweaty palms when I saw the picture of the “D”. What an incredible find and an even more incredible story. “If only ____________” (all us car nuts and nutees will want to finish that sentence). My wife of 54 years is long-suffering with my bad “car” habits. Your project is one I would have been excused for undertaking – this is not a car it is sculpture!
Best of luck – get-er done and keep us dreamers entertained with your progress!
Really really cool inspiring story! I guess it’s the most honorable way to really deserve owning some toy you dream of. Post your progress. Thanks Julie.
What is the name of the auction house please
Great story and keep us posted! Ive never seen so much support and enthusiasm here..
Its good to see!
Hi Julie, I must say your story about the D-Type has sparked a fire that I haven’t seen in quite some time. Anyway I have believed most older cars developed kind of a “soul”. I think that there is a connection here,and well I want to help you and your husband. You seem to know quite a bit about a few Jaguar’s. My daily job is working as a part’s advisor for a Jaguar Land Rover dealership on the west coast. I am master certified trained and I’ve been doing this for 12 year’s give or take. What I am doing is offering my service and knowledge along with my connection’s to you. For any Jaguar part you may need. I can literally scan the world and tell you if it is available. I’ll be able to email part’s illustratIon’s,cross reference chart’s and let me give you a little tip right now. If you have a factory part number,go to “Google”,Click on their tool bar on “images”. Input part number and click on search and maybe 80 to 85% of the time ,you will be able to view the exact factory part. Now there is a catch. My fee for doing this will be seeing your first drive in the D-Type,that’s all. So that I don’t get bombarded with requests,I will get you my contact information.Personally,Velocity Channel should pick-up on this and do a seasonal story line. Almost like you having your own Overhaulin show.
yes your help would be great
as far as jag parts, cost will be expensive, we use to call it cadillac tax
a big jag tach, wooden steering wheel, lights, everything to build a gauge cluster, etc.
it has spax coilovers and Willwood girling master cylinders.
Quite a mixed bag
velocity should do a grass roots show for those who don’t have wayne carini’s money, chip foose with help, more patents than a week and the desire to know more about the car than barry maguire,s friends.
But that is not a bad project at all, you have most parts there. This one is also coming back alive
http://bringatrailer.com/2013/11/08/floor-less-1970-ford-mustang-boss-302-with-race-history/
Here; http://www.eyeballproducts.com/Mustang/M70.html
Julles, I sit here in total utter amazement at this story line. If there ever were (are) two die hard car enthusiasts, you and your husband are them. I think as others have suggested if you set up a GoFundMe account and keep documented progress on the vehicle, you will be amazed at how many individuals would contribute myself included.
Thanks for the great story. I am using this to prove to my husband that there is someone else crazier than I am. I too would take on a project like this but he is a little less adventurous. We still have plenty of projects going though. Keep us posted. I have been stalking this site for a few months and love the entertainment. My husband gets bombarded daily with listings that I forward.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/jaguar-d-type9.htm It says only 71 D Type’s where built from 1954-56. And what few i’ve seen sold went between 1.3 mill to 3.8 mill. Soooooo i’d say she hit a homerun. The cam covers are worth what she paid.
This is a replica, though, so the values are different.
Interesting coincidence, I came across this on a friend’s feed.
Enjoy the D-type vintage ride along footage, and dream of color…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqehZeZJY68
To Rich who asked and anyone else interested….
The auction house is Copart, here: http://www.copart.com/
Copart isn’t always loved by car guys, but this D-Jag auction purchase has changed my mind. You can view the 1000s of cars that are available across the country by going to the website and inputting your desired make / model / years into the search filter, but you need to register with your name and some info if you want to bid.
They have all kinds of cars, including some vintage. Most are late model insurance writeoffs, but there are some interesting ones from dealers or individuals, like the D-Jag reconstruction in this BF entry.
Disclaimer: This is for information only. I have no commercial, financial, or other interest in Copart, other than buying old cars at affordable prices.
we have bought 5 cars from copart
the people are great but you have to know how the company does business
they don’t give any info on the cars as all
stick or auto
v6 or v8
matching numbers
we found an austin healy sprite listed as aston martin
and a 53 Riley as a 63 jaguar
but my 06 vett was $10,400, its finished and i have less than $14,000 in it
sometimes you get lucky
Here are some pics taken the morning after the fire. This Morgan looks pretty good on this side, but had a damaged left rear quarter. The Jag replica was a few cars to the left of it.
thank you for the picks
I wondered about the jag being the start
but if it was the start the whole car would be gone.
fiberglass doesn’t do well in fire
I think we can save this car
Funny thing about that. When I was walking through the building I saw one car that looked “furry.” I was stumped because I didn’t remember any car covers in use, let alone a furry one. I suddenly realized it was the Jag replica–YOUR Jag replica. There was one other furry car in the building, although it wasn’t as bad–a brand new Corvette.
Another one.
You can see a lot of damage, but you can’t see all of the memorabilia that was destroyed. Here’s one of the race cars–surprisingly they look pretty good now. I didn’t shoot the Indy car (placed 13th in the Indy 500 that year), but it looks great now.
Not to be morbid, but i think what everyone would like to know is WHAT happened? What caused the fire? Does anyone know? In the earlier pictures, it almost seems the fire originated with the Jag but was there something else such as a heater? or Rags that caused the fire? (Oil soaked rags have destroyed many shops)
When we had an XJ6, My wife wanted to keep it all original, but after reading all the accounts of vehicle fires, a lot of XJ6s burst into flames because of the goofy Fuel injection system. The hoses and fittings leaked. Burnt up a lot of cars. Another common problem was the fuel tank vents that would plug. The EFI would collapse the fuel tanks and big fuel leaks and fires. Heres to 2016 and hopefully a much more prosperous and positive new year
No one was able to state with certainty, although there were several investigators representing several insurance companies. It was NOT the Jag, nor any other car. This Jag was about in the middle of the building, and the fire started at one end, where cars were being restored, possibly with some papers or rags in a barrel. There was no fire alarm system or sprinklers.
This happened in a large retirement community which pretty much rolls up the streets at night; a person driving down an adjacent street at 4:30 in the morning saw the flames and smoke. The fire department was there within 6 minutes after the alarm was turned in, but it had been burning for an unknown period of time (hours?) by then.
I’m happy to say that the guys who owned and worked on this collection have rebuilt the building. They are bringing in “new” classic cars, although so far the only European vehicle is a London taxi. I keep bugging them for more!
We would love a contact name or name of the facility, it would make restoration much easier with information on the components, what motor, rear end, body kit, etc.
the holy grail paperwork.
http://www.realmengineering.com Here is a quality source of parts. It may be the company that produced the car.
Holly Classics.
Some of the glass can be saved or reused, the worst will crumble and flake in your fingers. It’s the resins used to make the fiberglass hard that ignite. Fiberglass is pretty tuff up to a certain temp (I don’t remember the ℉). I used to do bodywork at a fleet if trucks, repair fiberglass hoods, fenders and make replacement parts. It’s not magic, it’s another skill to learn if you want. I would document the body, pictures and take measurements in every direction because once it comes apart the chance is gone. I hope you continue with the project and succeed.
Actually, GoFundMe may be more for people with health issues but there are several other crowd source options available. Just do a Google search.
I agree that you should not waste your time screwing with this melted glassware. You have plenty of other work to concentrate on. Strip it and rework chassis and drive train and tib, and when that is complete perhaps you will have enough donations to purchase front and rear body sections.
Don’t cover melted Glas and don’t try to recreate. Do the stuff that is priority and the rest will fall in y of place.
Actually if this car was in the Holly Classics fire, I may be able to help you. I am good friends with John Hollingworth, who is the owner. I can reach out to him for you, and if he gives permission, I can put you in touch with him. Really great guy.
Chas
Yup, thumbs up on John, Leland, and all the guys I find when I stop by Gasoline Alley to say hi! Nice bunch, all of them. The best part is that I live just a couple of miles from them, as the crow flies…
Thank you
I got his name from the museum Web sight
A phone number would be great
I’m hoping he has some build documents
The car was sold without a Vin number
Again thanks
Have you tried getting a price for a replacement body parts? I wonder how close the cost to buy them would be to the cost of all the materials to make your own.
I understand and respect the I did this theory, but you have a lot of work to do on this great little car ahead of you.
Less than a month ago, I gave away an entire XKQ50 instrument cluster with all six guages and housing/mounts. I would have been happy to give it to you for this project. I gave away most of my dpares, but I may still have some other XK or E-Type parts. I’ll check and see if I have anything to contribute.
You would be our hero if you could help with any parts at all
As many small details as possible that look right will greatly affect the finished project.
Not much looks worse than a cobra with sw gauges and a mustang II auto shifter
The drivetrain alone is worth a small fortune
Can’t wait to see it repaired and on the road again
Great save. Good luck moving forward and you have all these new friends here. Disregard the Naysayers. They buy new cars anyway. can’t wait to see the final restoration result. Soon to be a roller. A little bit longer to get it Fired Up. Hope you repost results. Good Luck and Happy Parts Hunting.
Julles.. Gotta ask.. Or if you don’t mind sharing-what auction site do you use? This mysterious one that starts with a C and ends in a T? :)
Part it out? Sure, but do they have any “parts” that go with it?
Part out
“KILL THE BLASPHEMER”
Great find and just in case you need a fiberglass D-Type bonnet I just happen to have one. That’s at least 25% of the body done!
Don
Holly crap batman
When I get of work we’ll have to talk
Vjcardwell@windstream.net
Wow! Ask, and ye shall receive.
Here is half of your necessary body parts delivered right to this site. Congratulations. Hopefully, he has this bonnet section reasonably priced or willing to donate it to the project!
I sat in a D Type Jag replica that was being shipped out to Canada from the UK in a 20′ container from Manchester. I wonder if it was this car? Year was @ 1995
This car was silver with blue stripes
Car I sat in was a dark British Racing Green colour.
No, Mike, this car was built in Arkansas. And was burned in Arkansas.
Great score, just please don’t abuse them on the price, if we don’t help each other who will?
Anybody know if this car is legal to drive on the public roads
I live 10 minutes from Road Atlanta but the big cats need more room to roam
I was told in GA all you need is a bill of sale to get a title/registration. True or False?
According to Google:
http://www.dmv.org/ga-georgia/bill-of-sale.php
i have NO idea on Georgia, and truth is, Georgia is NOT on my mind either! :)
However it all varies state to state here in the US. I have not seen any caustic comments as of late on this site about titles, but in the past there was a lot of Doom & Gloom and outright “You WILL go to Jail!” comments.
However In Oregon and Washington, (FYI) it IS possible if you do it right. Both Military and after working for 3 different govt agencies my most common thing to tell people is. NEVER EVER take some idiots word for “Its required, Or Regulations, Or, Its policy, etc etc….” Most people dont have a clue and often are full of BS. ALWAYS ALWAYS look these things up yourself, take notes, photocopy the pages, highlight the appropriate sections and cut thru the red tape.
In Oregon you can look up all this stuff for any agency. Liquor rules, Vehicles, Our new Marijuana laws, County, city, state code and policys, Hell, Its public record what every govt employee is paid every year here if you want to know.
I start with Oregon Revised Statutes, and you can look it up yourself but basically unless there is a preponderance of evidence to indicate something hinky, the DMV is REQUIRED to title and register your vehicles. It all dates to old English law, collection of taxes and fees, and the sheriff is mixed in there as well. It USED to be the State police had to do the VIN inspection but they no longer are involved. Now, you go in, and there is a DMV form for VIN inspection, you pay a fee, you get a certified inspection, its stamped and very official. That a and a Bill of Sale will get you a title.
Now what I do, and im liquidating a lot of vehicles from old shop inventory and my collecting, Is I often sell vehicles with the VIN inspection AND a Notarized Bill of sale. That elevates a plain jane BOS to a legal document and sure helps the process. I also have shipped a number of vehicles overseas using those 2 documents as most countries dont care about our Titles, they only want to see a official govt document and issue their own versions of titles.
So, i could go on and on about this, as I have helped a lot of people do this, and get into the specifics but suffice to say, It IS possible if done right in many states.
Some states do not issue titles for old vehicles, there are title services as well, Most are suspect and not worth your time and money, but they can be useful at times. If anyone cared, i could explain further.
Keep in mind all those rules, Seldom enforced these days but in Oregon more than 5 vehicle sales per year, and you are required to obtain a dealers license.
Almost any kit car can be made street legal, but each state is very specific about what is required to approve a kit car build for the road.
Being someone who has restored many cars and built 2 kit cars I can tell you that the key to finishing this is to find someone with the damaged body panels so you don’t have to create these from nothing. In the end this replica will not be worth what it costs to repair and will never appreciate no matter how much the originals do. All that being said, a replica is something that you can drive or let others without worrying about it. The general public will not realize it is a replica and can appreciate the car for its cool appearance. Best wishes on this very difficult restoration.
Thanks for the input Richard
This is something we are both excited about
How may D-type jags do you see compared to AC Cobras
I wanted a cobra for many years and I’ve never understood. No mater how cheep or poorly built, Cobras are always more expensive than I thought warranted. For many years you could buy a neglected Ferrari for less.
Check Copart for a 2003-05 Mercedes SL. for less than 10k you can buy a car that sold for over 110k that will outperform almost any cobra in almost every category. I know, not as cool but OMG just drive one. Even with high mantenane it will still cost less.
Van, concerning the legal driving, I remember that years ago R/T magazine did an article on two guys who brought a Porsche 917 Le Mans car into the States, put mufflers on it, got it registered in Georgia, and then terrorized the streets and freeways with it.
Don’t know what the laws are like there now, but I’ll bet you can do it. As for the VIN, in most states it can be titled as a special construction and get a VIN assigned.
btw, I found this site while looking for Tuk-Tuks and am absolutely enthralled.
Unbelievable find and unbelievable support.
Porsche used to bring the race cars to the porsche dealer in Atlanta in the 1970s
Was told a story
I 285 was under construction when the team was in town, supposedly two dealer mechanics went for joy ride late at night
About the time of the 917
Wow
Hard story to swallow but what is the top speed. well over 200
Wow
I’m glad the thread on this reproduction is still continuing. Yes I believe most if not all states have allowances for home made or kit cars. Some probably easier than others to get through the paperwork and initial inspection to get a vin tag. Why not, these cars are usually used for shows, local cruising and Sunday runs for ice cream with the kids, not barreling down the interstate with loads of logs, I’ve read some rude comments about out cars. After being a service manager at Ford dealer in NYC I’ve seen how “regular” people care for their cars, 50,000 miles with no oil/filter change, threadbare tires, brakes completely gone and of course its always the cars fault. I’m sure all things being equal, late model cars kill more people than kit cars on a regular basis.
We have cleaned out the car
Filled a contractor trash bag with burned fiberglass fiber
Front radiator support cleaned of rust and painted
Wheels cleaned and painted
Upper coil over bushings burned, everything below that is good
Distributor un-damaged
Carbs have no gaskets left, but otherwise look rebuild able
Gas tank intact
So far only bought 1 can black paint, 1 gallon of vinegar, paper towels,
Lots of little things
Hard to describe seeing a D-type in your garage, can’t wait
Photos to come
Wait till you see the Fred Flintstone option.
Hello Van and Julles, Good Luck with your restoration. I hope you will soon show us some photos.
Good, I’m so glad you’re going ahead on the project. If I can make a suggestion with the carbs, if there was gas in them two things could have happened, the carbs may have warped slightly even though they were bolted together, also if there was combustion inside the carbs, fuel bowl ect. It could have left residue or varnish in some if the tiny passages. The key us clean clean clean, even run things soft(copper maybe from a craft store) wire and compressed air through all and every passage, as far as warpage check all flat surfaces that touch gaskets with a straight edge to be sure, if you find any, some are easy to correct some not, depends on what part it is. All springs, leather, plastic are automatically junk, check the floats under water to be sure they are sealed. Anything else ask, you’ve got thousands of hours if experience to rely on. Contact me here if you like, and please everyone else no junk emails but I’m happy to speak to anyone here.
Hotroddad1@Gmail.com
Thanks for the input
I worked in an English car shop in 1980-81 I’m sure I forgotten a lot, never worked on burned parts so I hadn’t thought about warping
Just like riding a bike?
That’s the best thing about this site, lots of brains and experience to tap into, most car guys and gals are very decent and willing to help I’ve found.
Wow, you bring hope to every cash strapped car guy ( and Gal). Never give up, be creative and I already see parts and help is coming out of the woodwork from this great group of car people. That is how we car people work, ask an we will be glad to help. Years ago I met this guy of simple means, ( even broker than me, LOL) who managed to pick up a early 12 cylinder Duesenberg ( in 1959) for 500.00 dollars, ( all the money he had at the time) and it was in rough shape at the time, with only limited money available ( he and his wife was raising 3 boys, and supported with a single income household) Her restored that car piece by piece in his little garage, by hand ,trading time for parts, and services. He did what he had to get this car done to a very high level, and yes he completed that car. Drove it for many years, then upgraded the restoration and at 90 was bringing it out ( presenting it) for sale. Starting bid was a 1.2 million, and while he cried when it was finally sold, he told me that he was only the custodian of this magnificent car and it was his time to pass it one to some one who will appreciate as much as he did.. As a kid it was his dream car and he said he would stay up nights dreaming about what it would be like to be behind the wheel., so he had to do get it , even if it made absolutely no sense at the time. The world needs more dreamers, with a passion to get things done.. Please keep the group updated on the progress, we are all cheering for you. If you start a Go fund me page, I will contribute.
Duesenburg never built a V12, otherwise…….a good story
You might be right Dave, it was 2004 at a car show,( I still believe it was a 12 cylinder) but I could have had sunstroke that day. LOL :). Will take your word for it and will have to do some research on that one, I do know that Lycoming ( who produced their engines) they did construct a 16 valve engine. Since all Duesenberg’s were ordered on from the base frame, with the coach work and option built to their customers spec’s, Who knows I could be wrong, wouldn’t be the first time.
http://theoldmotor.com/?p=23469
Yep…….as I remember, all Dusenburgs were actually built the same year…(1936?) but we’re finished and equipped with bodies for several years after that. I am not sure about the race cars…..they may have been different. Lycoming was one of the great builders, and still is…….there were few foundries that could actually build an engine….like today. Dusenburg engines are so incredible in both performance and appearance, they could have been V12’s. I have even seen them in classic boats, like the Packards.
I’m reviving a dead thread, because I’m interested to see if there’s been any progress.
Find where Julles or Van have responded to a more recent thread and ask them there?
Yes, please, an update is much wanted.
Absolutely, we need an update! I was just talking about this car with one of the previous owners.
I’ll get an update soon.
Not much progress yet.
Van: If you ever think of selling, give me a call. Don Settergren, Fitchburg, WI
Any progress on the car? I hope it’s going well.
This is the only thread I keep returning to hoping for an update!
A followup on the Morgan and the racecars–they were restored and look great now. The Morgan is now 2-tone soft green (think avocado), and I like it much better. The building is full again with interesting cars.
Now, we need an update on the Jag replica!
After seeing the burned Cobra here today, it brought me back to this D-Type. Come on Van, inquiring minds want an update. Please!
It has now been 2-3 years. Any updates? Would love to see how it’s going because I would love to do the same thing but with two in college I have to wait a while. 👍🏻😎