Author Topic: Driving an XK E Type from PUB 2011 to Australia (Read 87960 times)

Garry · « **on:** May 31, 2011, 12:52:39 »

I thought i would start this thread to document the purchase of a car (other than a Mercedes

) to use at PUB and its final return to Australia, starting from Atlanta Georgia, trucked to Joe Alexanders pending PUB and the follow on drive from Blacklick to LA, its conversion from Left to Right Hand drive by Tom Colitt in LA and its eventual shipping to Australia late in 2011 to sit in the shed beside the 1969 280SL Pagoda.

The following are a couple of photos of the advertisement that I saw prior to purchase. When I tried to get someone to do an inspection of it prior to purchase, from EBay, I kept getting referred to the seller as a collector with good knowledge of Jags who could inspect it. Eventually after two notations of highly recommended seller from previous buyers, I gave up on getting an inspection and decided to go with it anyway as time ran out on the EBay auction. The price was good, I felt reasonably comfortable with the seller and the Australian dollar at its highest exchange that it had ever been.

Last week it was trucked from Georgia to Joe's using Passport Transport. Joe was away and Mary took delivery. Using Passport was an experience in itself and another story but it did arrive safe and sound and in good condition awaiting Joe's final assessment of the quality of the purchase

So far it sounds like I have had good luck with a decent purchase.

Insurance has been arranged with Progressive Direct together with getting temp registration in July from Ohio State Bureau of Motor Vehicles, both who were really helpful over the internet and in email exchanges.

I am in the process of negotiating the purchase of a Hard Top from Philadelphia, Yet to be confirmed and transport yet to be arranged to get it to Blacklick and on the car. Another potential headache.

A brand new steering rack from the UK for the LH to RH conversion has already arrived at Tom's workshop in LA and the workshop manuals at Joe's place. New taillights to meet Aust compliance are on their way to Joe's for changing over and the old ones already sold off on EBay today. The rest of the parts needed for the conversion are on order and will accompany me to US for PUB including such things as new dash wiring loom, engine bay wiring loom and other bits and pieces.

Next to be done, Joe to go over the car to ensure it is in decent shape for the drive across the States.

Garry · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2011, 12:37:21 »

Well Michael Salemi has seen the car and sent a photo of it in good company. Called it that English thing (From now on known as "The Thing") mixed with the Pagodas of Alfred's on the left and of course Michaels red "item" in Joe's shed.

Parts are starting to arrive from UK, Joe has received the new tail lights to meet the Australian standards with orange indicators and Tom in LA has received the new steering rack for the RH conversion and new wiring loom for engine bay and dash board to be converted when we get the car there after PUB.

So far so good. Have ended up with three repair manuals after Joe found one in the car, I ordered one and got two by accident sent to me, one of which I sent to Joe before I knew about the spare one in the trunk.

Still waiting for the remaining parts needed for the LH/RH conversion that I will bring with me to USA whilst attending PUB.

Next thing, the final report from Joe on what I have bought

Raymond · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2011, 13:09:19 »

Garry,
Is it a 12 or a 6? I couldn't tell from the one photo with the bonnet up. It looks lovely. I'm looking forward to having a look at the PUB. BK wants a ride.

mdsalemi · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2011, 15:33:24 »

...one thing Joe noticed is that anyone 5' 7" or taller (1.7 m) will be donating their head for use as the roll bar. Head will stick out a bit.

She is a beauty though--so nice to see something OTHER than BRG!!!! What a beautiful blue. This will get more looks than a Pagoda on the 2K trip to LA.

280SE Guy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2011, 16:53:05 »

"I am in the process of negotiating the purchase of a Hard Top from Philadelphia, Yet to be confirmed and transport yet to be arranged to get it to Blacklick and on the car. Another potential headache."

Gary,

I'm about an hour or little more from Philadelphia depending on the address there and could possibly tote your hardtop from there to PUB in the back of my 4Runner if you need any transport assistance. Of course you and Tom would have to drive from PUB to LA with the hardtop in place.

Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Regards,

280SE Guy

Garry · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2011, 22:45:57 »

280Se Guy thanks for the offer. Awaiting info from the seller, PM sent to you.

Michael, Lucky I am a short short of guy, its the wind in the hair for the rest!!!

Raymond, its a 1970 4.2 litre six, the earlier and later cars were all too expensive for me

ja17 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2011, 02:08:32 »

Hello Gary,

The Jag already has a Delco alternator fitted. So that's one Lucas gremlin you will not have to deal with !

69280sl · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2011, 03:24:45 »

Yes Joe, but he still has the intermittent wipers and 3 way headlights (on-off-flicker).

Gus

Garry · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2011, 04:58:52 »

I might have them Gus but the switches probably don't work!!! Mind you it doesn't have a fuel switch in the brake reservoir

280SE Guy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2011, 21:44:19 »

Garry,

Rest assured and let out that big sigh. Your hard top is in the back of my 4Runner now. I picked it up this morning (07/17/11, or as you might think or say it 17/07/11). It was a interesting trip to Jerry's house. I didn't realize there were so many large hills in his area. It's got to be a real pain in the winter.

We resettled with it trying about 3 or 4 different methods of getting it in back of the car (truck). It finally ended up top side down and cross ways in the back. Even though everyone has said it should fit in the trunk of my W108, Anthracite, I don't think it would. Therefore Anthracite will not be attending PUB.

Below are a few pictures of your hard top in the 4 runner.

Let me know if you or Tom would like some additional up close detail shots so you guys can get thinking on what needs to be addressed.

The gasket at the rear needs to be re-glued, there might be other issues that I'm not aware of. I did notice that there were some front to back scratches on the top of the roof but they will be abled to be smoothed out I'm sure. You are probably going to have the whole top refurbished any way.

Regards,

280SE Guy

Iconic · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2011, 22:02:40 »

Quote from: mdsalemi on June 19, 2011, 15:33:24

...one thing Joe noticed is that anyone 5' 7" or taller (1.7 m) will be donating their head for use as the roll bar. Head will stick out a bit.

She is a beauty though--so nice to see something OTHER than BRG!!!! What a beautiful blue. This will get more looks than a Pagoda on the 2K trip to LA.

Garry,
You are going to be one busy guy at PUB giving rides. Did you think this through, bringing such a unique car to the PUB?

If we start lining up for rides, can we get in order by height? Shortest 1st preferably.

Seriously, it looks great. I will enjoy seeing it in person.

Garry · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2011, 22:11:35 »

Thanks Bob for picking that up for me, it will certainly make the long drive easier for Tom and I after PUB.

Now as for drives, well I have to get it registered next week, and given that i will be driving it some thousands of miles the following week, you will just have to drive it yourself. I'll leave it at the front gate not to divert attention from PPPUB

Look forward to catching up with you all at PUB. I Leave Australia in five days and not looking forward to 24 hours of flying.

280SE Guy · « **Reply #12 on:** July 17, 2011, 22:48:02 »

Your welcome Garry,

I'm looking forward to meeting and talking to all of the people at PUB also. I will want to have a ticket to drive the XXE, doesn't matter what sequence it is, just a chance to see how it drives..

When I first started thinking of buying a car "to save" it was between a Porsche, a Volvo P1800, a Jaguar XKE, and a Mercedes Benz. It came to my 280SE, and I'm glad I did.

I knew you and Tom wouldn't want to drive the distance without a hard top so I couldn't refuse your request.

Regards,

280SE Guy

Below are a couple of more pics of the hard top for your review. It will stay in the back of the 4Runner until PUB.

Garry · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2011, 23:05:45 »

Picked up all the remaining parts for the Jaguar to carry over to USA with me for the conversion to right hand drive. Blanking plates, accelerator linkages, brake lines shaped and trial fitted in Aust etc.

Meanwhile my back gives up the ghost and I find my self in hospital for a week with an infection in the spine. Got out 10 days ago and just to add to the stress levels, purchased a House at auction and then put my house on the market to be auctioned in four weeks. My wife complains that I always get a bad back when we are about to move and to avoid the cleaning etc.

Three days to go to departure and get a spinal injection with some goop to get me thru the flight. My wife and I arranged for the house to be painted last five days and photos taken for advertising last night.

5.30 this morning, it's drive to the airport to catch a flight. Now sitting in the lounge with a 2 hour delay. Now only 30 hour trip. Had to fast talk my way through with the SS brake lines I was carrying.

Had a win and got an upgrade to Business at the airport. They must love me or they took pity on me and my poor back.
Flying to LA then change to Phoenix then on to Columbus. Arriving at 11 at night.

Hopefully the car is ready at Joes for the Australian attack. First up on Monday is to get a permit for the month to enable the drive back to LA with Tom Collitt.

JamesL · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2011, 20:16:13 »

As a suggestion, you might want to take Mrs Garry a half bottle of sherry or something nice like that on your return

280SE Guy · « **Reply #15 on:** July 22, 2011, 20:40:38 »

Tosh,

Only a half bottle? Should be a full bottle or at least a case.

Garry,

Welcome to the USA as you arrive tonight at 11:00 at night in Columbus. The weather is warmer here than it is in Australia I'm sure. Maybe that will help your back problem.

When I picked up your hard top from your seller last Sunday he was just comming out of a back problem himself. Is that indicative of XKE owners?

Lately every time I get into my 4Runner there is a strange wild cat like oder inside the vehicle. With the warm weather here maybe it will be disipated by the time we meet up at PUB.

Regards,

280SE Guy

JamesL · « **Reply #16 on:** July 22, 2011, 20:52:52 »

He doesn't want to spoil his Sheila with a full bottle!

roadsterdude · « **Reply #17 on:** July 22, 2011, 21:54:26 »

Quote

Yes Joe, but he still has the intermittent wipers and 3 way headlights (on-off-flicker).

But, did it come with a smoke injector for the wiring harness? When they lose their smoke everything stops working!

Garry · « **Reply #18 on:** July 23, 2011, 19:24:06 »

Forgot to add that I did include a bottle of Locus Smoke for the car and have put a note in my phone to buy Mrs Garry, Kate, something special to take home as a peace offering for leaving here to do all e house cleaning and set up for sale whilst I swan around the USA.

Landed safely but very late out of Australia so missed the correct connection and so last night got to see Charlotte NC? for an hour before on to Columbus. Did get my luggage just as well as most of the spares for the car were in the bag. Rest day today, picked up a temp hire car.

Garry · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2011, 02:33:54 »

Finally got to look at the car that I had purchased several months ago.

What can I say, it's not a Pagoda, wish it was and I would probably understand it better, however it' looks a good driver and will take a bit of getting used to.
First thing today i went to the BMV to get registration, glad i did my homework, passed all the paper work over and in five minutes i was out of there with a 30 day tag. It was so easy i was worried what could go wrong.

Joe and I worked on the car fitting Euro tail lights and finally we then each had a drive. It is much harsher than my 280 SL and I would call it rawer and harder to drive but it is a bit of a stunner. Tomorrow more work greasing up the car and ensuring all ok for the trip then Wednesday take it for a longer drive for three or four hours and see if alls well.

I have been reading about people on the forum driving an hour or two and a couple of hundred miles at max. Well last PUB, Art Daprano from north of San Francisco drove to pub and we then drove back again. Now that's a trip but it all went smoothly and had given me the courage to try to drive the Jag to LA after this years PUB. At the moment I am not sure if I have taken on more than I
can chew. But there is always a trucking company and AAA when things go wrong.

Iconic · « **Reply #20 on:** July 26, 2011, 11:13:02 »

Quote from: Garry on July 26, 2011, 02:33:54

At the moment I am not sure if I have taken on more than I
can chew. But there is always a trucking company and AAA when things go wrong.

Garry,
That is true about the AAA, but to me it just sounds like you need some rest.
I've read you've been through a lot in the last few weeks (months?).
You and Joe will check the car out some more, you'll go for a few short drives to build confidence, and off you go on another journey that you will not forget.
Enjoy the ride !!

JamesL · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2011, 14:47:09 »

Garry

Co-incidentally - well, let's be clear, it's a safe bet this summer -Octane magazine have devoted much of their current issue (#99) to the 50th of the E-Type. Not much more there is to write about it that they've not done numerous times in the previous 98 issues but hey ho

Would you like me to save you my copy once I have poured over ~~the adverts~~ it and mail it on?

Garry · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2011, 22:34:06 »

Well PUB has all but wrapped up and about 20 of us are about to head out for the last supper.

I have done all I can to ensure the car is ready for the trip. It wasn't much but changing some filters and a coupler of adjustments this week and a fair amount of test driving to see how it ran. Some spares in the trunk and some spanners etc just in case together with the AAA card, the credit card and a trucking company number. Tom Colitt is here ready for the return trip to LA. The space in the trunk is minimal at best and with parts for conversion and tools, there is not much room for anything else like luggage.

Just filled it full of petrol and hopefully we will be out of here first thing this morning. Only decision to make is the route to be taken. Tom and I did not come to agreement last night over dinner, will have another try tonight to agree, it's highway 70 or 40 or something in-between.

I am planning to post each night on the days travels, unfortunately only having an iPad, I will not be able to post photos as Apple and Flash player do not agree to allow this to be done on an iPad,unknown to me until this week. So photos will come later.

thelews · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2011, 23:09:31 »

Get your kicks on Route 66?

JamesL · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:45:40 »

66. Anything else is an opportunity missed

News:

Author Topic: Driving an XK E Type from PUB 2011 to Australia (Read 87960 times)

roadsterdude