Thread: Looking for help for custom Jaguar hot rod

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I'm a newbie on the site, but really been impressed with what I've seen, so thought I'd post a question to see if someone might be able to help me.

I'm building a 1952 Jaguar XK120 coupe. This will be a resto-rod as the body is stock, but just about every thing else is modified. Engine is a Jag six cylinder, but with double the horsepower. Five speed overdrive transmission, Jag independent rear end, air conditioned, power steering, power brakes, etc.

What I'm looking for is a shop that I can contract with for design assistance with the chassis and running gear details. I'm an old (76 years) hot rodder, and came from the time when, basically, you just chromed everything. I realize that's not the style now, and I'm looking for some professional assistance. I contacted Kindig, as his style is what I want, but never heard back from him. I'm guessing he has better things to do than mess with a job like this.

When finished, the car will be a show car for a couple of years, both in hot rod shows, and in Jaguar Concurs in their modified class. Then I'll be driving it in Vintage rallies.

Appreciate any leads that anyone might have.

Thanks
Jim

Welcome! Sure does sound like a neat project! If my memory was better I would direct you to a shop in Dallas that specialized in Jags, both restoration and performance parts and service! Unfortunately, about all I can remember right now is that was up on the North side someplace!!! Heck, it was at least a couple decades ago, not even sure if they're still around! I'll check around and see if I can find some information that is a bit more helpful! Anyway, good having you here, an E-type from the late 60's is still on my dream list!

Welcome to CHR, Jim. Sounds like a great project, but I'm thinking you'll see more acceptance at the modified class Jag events than the hot rod shows, but then I may be all wet! There was a "resto-mod" E-Type at a show here that had a built out Ford 5.0 liter & a Tremec 5 speed, tastefully flared rear fenders done in stretched metal and the whole thing a flawless black on black - truly a bitch'n ride!

You mentioned contacting Kindig's shop and not getting an answer. If I were interested in them and their approach I think I'd be on the phone telling them I'd like to talk to someone about a project with a Jag XK120 Coupe, and keep calling back until someone tells you they're interested or not. From watching their show I'd say if you get them interested you'd be looking at a long project, like years not months, and them wanting the whole enchilada, not just helping with chassis mods. Again, I may be all wet but they seem to be very busy with a backlog of work. A Jag shop like Dave mentioned is probably going to be the ticket, and for that I'd be driving around and talking to the shop owners direct as much as possible.

Just my $0.02, and I look forward to following your project if you choose to share it! Everyone loves pictures and details!

Why not call someone like Alston? Or Fatman? Google chassis & hot rod and see what pops up.

It does sound like a cool project. I'm sure most purists would choke on it, but that probably won't bother anyone around here (the project or the choking). We're hot rodders and modifications is what we do.

It might be hard to double that Jag's HP without forced induction of some kind. An Eaton supercharger or even a Procharger would get you close. Combine that with port fuel injection and you would have very tunable and driveable setup. It would obviously be a full custom installation.

There is (or was) a company named Jags That Run. They specialized in Jag repowers with Ford, Chevy small blocks and LS engines. As I understand it, they sold just about everything you needed to drop one of those engines in a Jag sedan. The pictures I've seen of their conversions look like the Jaguar factory put them in.

I'm not sure if Kindig does it, but some high end, big name builders will require you let them show your car for something like a year before they take a big build.

Originally Posted by JagJim

I'm building a 1952 Jaguar XK120 coupe..... What I'm looking for is a shop that I can contract with for design assistance with the chassis and running gear details.

Thanks
Jim

Hey Jim,
What kind of design assistance are you looking for? Is it just attaching the Jag IRS to the frame or are you looking to change out the front suspension, too? To keep it in the Jag Concours events you're staying with Jag components throughout, right? Details are going to affect your options, I would think.

Thanks for all the comments, I really appreciate it. I probably should have given more information about what I'm looking for. The fabrication on the car is finished, and I'm at the stage of completing the visual details. The body work is done, and I'm scheduled to take the body in for paint in the next couple of weeks. While the body is there, I'll be working on the chassis getting it ready for paint. The area that I'm looking for help is on the chassis, engine, and drive train details. In other words, what gets chromed, what gets painted, what gets polished, etc.

I might also mention that I've done something similar in the past. I built the same car, but a roadster, about five years ago. It also was a stock body with many of the same modifications as the coupe I'm working on now. Right after I finished it I took it to a Jaguar Concours. I was real nervous to enter the car as vintage car guys tend to be pretty adamant about originality, and I was about as unoriginal as you could get. It turned out they had a class for modified cars, probably mainly for race cars, and I ended up winning that class plus best of show. Then, the next year the car won two best of shows in hot rod shows. My hope is to do the same combination of shows with the coupe, and just want to make it the best I can.

I'm aware that most shops wouldn't be interested in this kind of project as all they would get is a consulting fee, not actual work done fee, but I thought I'd give it a shot to see if anyone might turn up.

Originally Posted by JagJim

The area that I'm looking for help is on the chassis, engine, and drive train details. In other words, what gets chromed, what gets painted, what gets polished, etc.

Jim,
The area of advice you've described, to me, is 100% personal preference. With the success you had with the roadster I'd say you must have a pretty good handle on what works and is appreciated. No matter what gets painted, polished, chromed or powder coated you'll have the "tire kickers" who'll say, "Well I wouldn't have chromed/polished/painted THAT! I'd have ...... (fill in the blank with useless drivel)"; or worse the girlfriends who call out loudly, "Honey, look what he did HERE! Can you believe he chromed/polished/painted it like THAT!"

Sounds to me like you're just wanting to kick around options with someone to help you make some decisions. How about finding someone that judges the modified concours class who's opinion you respect, and invite them over for a walk-around, offering to pay them for their time and travel? The main person who you need to satisfy is YOU.

How about posting some pictures?

Rodger,

Thanks for the response. You're absolutely right about what I'm looking for. Mainly someone that's been there to critique what I'm doing. I'd be glad to post some pictures of the roadster. Haven't done that on this site so would appreciate instructions for adding pictures to the post.

In the "Reply" box click "Go Advanced" at the bottom right. You can add your initial text, and then with your cursor at the place where you want your first picture scroll down to Additional Options and click the box "Manage Attachments" which opens a smaller box, "File Upload Manager". In that box click "Add Files" and choose the picture file from your computer (may have to be reduced in size, nominal 650-750KB) and click "Open", and then "Upload". Your file will be in a box at the bottom, checkmarked for uploading. To the right click "Insert Inline", and then "Done". Your picture file will be in your text entry, and you can hit "Preview Post" to confirm.

You can add up to 5 pictures to a thread in this manner, repeating the steps with text added between the pictures, or by uploading five at once. The files can be moved around by highlighting and dragging them or by cut & paste. Sounds a lot more complicated than it is, once you do one you'll be an expert.

Thanks Roger. Here's some pictures of the roadster. Again, the coupe will be the same basic car as far as modifications. I am expecting the underside to have more done as the roadster was pretty well just painted.

I'm a convert to powder coating, especially on chassis and suspension components. Very durable and good looks, too! Toughest part is finding a competent shop that does quality work at a reasonable price!