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Mechanical Reassembly and Body Work Continues
After a period where most progress was largely behind the scenes, things
are starting to pick up on our early XK-150 restoration project. The body
has returned from the media blaster and now resides at our new body and
paint facility about a mile from XKs Unlimited headquarters. The rear half
of the body has been mounted to a donor XK frame we use for body assembly
while the real chassis is being reassembled.
The new sill and post assemblies have arrived from England, as has the repair panel for the left front fender, err, wing. Luckily, as we had chemically stripped most of the paint before the body was shipped to the media blaster, there were few surprises once the body was totally bare. We have some rusted-through spots beneath the sidelamp housings and a few other previously-damaged areas to attend to, but for the most part this is about as "clean" as a Jaguar XK body can get.
At the primary restoration shop, the engine and carburetors have been completely rebuilt and re-installed in the chassis. A five-speed gearbox has replaced the original Moss 'box. For the most part, work has progressed quickly with minimal setbacks. The original pipe between the starting carburetor and intake manifold is missing, however, so a replacement must be found or fabricated. Finally, the fuel tank and new lines have been installed, as have the brake and clutch master cylinders and their associated plumbing. In not too long the engine and chassis assembly will be ready and waiting for the freshly painted body.
Next Installment:
XK-150 Moves Closer To Completion
