Pilkies possible,"Now definate" project!!!

Pilkie

Pilkie

Active Member
Hi all.

Most of you may know that I have had my eyes open for a project car to get stuck into!! :)
I had no idea what I wanted or would find,but the major factor was that it HAD to be british!
You may not have seen a digression on another post about a rare car that I had a tip off about and have now discovered locally!!!
Based on my first examination it appears to be 100% complete down to the owners handbooks,so I have agreed a very good price for it!!
I've still got to fully examine it before fully comitting to,and finalising the deal!
And will take loads of pics when I do.
Its been off the road since 1977,and needs "hopefully sympathetic" restoration.
The full leather interior and carpets are in V good overall condition,with no obvious rips or real wear and therefore its very saveable with a good clean and feed,the red paint is falling off in chunks,but the body is,as far as I can tell free from damage.
Depending on the state of its chassis and if I can coax the eng/box back to life it may be possible to get it road legal this summer as a rolloing resto and attend some shows.

Its a 1955 Jensen 541,4ltr straight 6,triple su carbs,manual o/d,with 15" wire wheels,and 4 wheel Dunlop disc brakes,with a fibreglass body and alloy doors.
A classic 4 seater 2 door coupe GT they produced just over 500 of the various models.
These models being the 541,,541 delux,,541R and 541S.
Only about 170 std 541's made and this early car is no; 24.
http://www.joc.org.uk/newjoc/index.php? ... &Itemid=43
Here is a pic of a car that is,as far as I can tell an identical spec.
For those with a sensitive nature,I do apologise for posting a pic of automotive porn!! :LOL:
jensen-ext-1.jpg
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

If you restore it and it looks that good could you ever sell it?
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

Oooh...top choice Pilkie...such a lovely old thing.
Read a comparison between one of these and its CV8 brother a little while back...both fine motors by all accounts!
Would love a CV8 too!!
 

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Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

They do look nice, can't say I've ever seen one.

One question, what's with the grill ?, looks like there's practically no airflow into the engine bay.
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

webmaster said:
They do look nice, can't say I've ever seen one.

One question, what's with the grill ?, looks like there's practically no airflow into the engine bay.
Click to expand...
It's magic :D Pull a handle and it opens :wink:
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

the grill opens up , i believe it pivots around the centre,cv8 is by even by the standards of the day a strange looking beastie, i suppose you would get looked at when you pass, i do hope it goes well for you with this project , cheers rich
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

More info and some piccy for your delectation!

WELL SO FAR SO GOOD!!! :D

I've had a lot better look over it today,but was finally beaten by the wet 'n' windy weather.
Will have another play tomorrow.
As far as I can tell,and without getting it up on a ramp and a good light,both side tubes look and feel solid,as does the rear cross tube,center cross member and inner engine bay area.
All panels and chassis seem undamaged by accidents.
Bumpers are straight and solid.
The rear spring hangers need doing,as does the front assembly that the bonnet secures to,
and that seems to be the extent of the rot.
All switch gear,knobs and handles are intact,heater vent and air vents open and close.
Seats tilt and slide ok.
Nearside Dunlop calipers are in the boot,o/s front is free but rear is stuck,all discs in good condition apart from surface rust.
It was a bit too wet to release the stuck caliper today.
Doors,boot open and close ok,door rubbers and window rubbers inner and outer all look ok.
Bonnet hinge on n/s broken,and both bonnet support tubes a bit stiff but work.
All wiring under bonnet seems intact and not messed with.
Period radio and 8 track with rear speakers.
Engine obviously seized but may free off.
Engine rocker cover is chrome with jensen script and an apparently unusual air box.

The owner is pretty sure it is a deluxe!!!
If it is,it was either a special customer order or a production car held back and built with all the mods in mid 1955 to promote the forthcoming de-luxe at the dealers?
Body no seems to say?,
BODY No;5023.
Chassis no is definately, 541/245206
I cant yet read the engine number,but I presume it is on the flat bit between 1 and 2 spark plug and on the block.
He should have all the history for me to look at tomorrow.
Hopefully this link will send you to my album where you can view all the pics I have taken so far!
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m296 ... ?start=all
PLEASE Feel free to ask any Q's or point out anything you think relevant.
The more input from others the better!! :)
2.jpg
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

I would say it really needs a full nut and bolt resto.

I can certainly see a lot of bodywork in your future...... :LOL:

If the engine won't run then I'd start getting worried. Bodywork / welding are generally just a matter of time and effort, not too much cash (assuming you're doing it yourself), but having to rebuild an old engine like that could be a big problem.

Of course if it's cheap enough......
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

webmaster said:
If the engine won't run then I'd start getting worried. Bodywork / welding are generally just a matter of time and effort, not too much cash (assuming you're doing it yourself), but having to rebuild an old engine like that could be a big problem..
Click to expand...

I'd think exactly the opposite way around to that.....
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

:D I just depends on your angle so to speak.

I'm just thinking if you need to fully rebuild the engine, you've got to find rings/big ends/shells/gaskets etc etc, which can be pretty expensive, unless it's a common engine. Then you've potentially got a rebore and the need for new pistons too if the bores are badly pitted.

In terms of effort, yes the machanical bits are generally easier.

On a more common car (like a P6) where you can easily get hold of 2nd hand engines/gearboxes etc, then yes I would see the bodywork/welding as the big problem, but I'm not so sure on this one.

I guess it's whatever you're more comfortable doing, and of course we know you're a wizz with the mechanical bits :D
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

webmaster said:
I guess it's whatever you're more comfortable doing, and of course we know you're a wizz with the mechanical bits :D
Click to expand...

Well I don't know about that, but I never liked bodywork, or welding for that matter. :LOL:
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

Knowing Pilkie's luck ,he'll pour in a gallon of petrol , get the jump leads on it m, and off it will go
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

There are a few ways I could go with it.

Full on resto.
A total nut and bolt resto,if so might as well go concourse!!
"Never gonna happen with me!"

Basic road legal recomission.
Get it running and through an mot so it can be used as a rolling resto.
"Very possible depends on engine/box and mechanicals cost"

Basic recomission.
Get it running and moving,most bits working,and sell on.
"Again depends on engine/box and any mechanical cost"

Do Nothing.
Buy it,get it home,have a minimal expense tinker to see whats possible engine/box wise.
If its a nogo sell it on.

Engine parts are not that hard to get,and a good running engine is fairly cheap to buy!
And you never know,I may strike lucky with the engine,its only got 61k on the clock,said to be genuine.
Mechanicals and basic welding dont pose a problem for me!
And I have a rather good body/paint guy.

We will see!!!
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

Hi, for a car that has been stored outside under a tarpaulin there is surprisingly
no mould on the interior. Which is a big plus because that is the most expensive
part of a restoration on a car like this. Nothing insurmountable there. A very
nice acquisition there. I am impressed.

Colin
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

Actually its not that expensive to do a retrim,as 98% of all leather is straight flat panels.
Its the chassis on these that hits the pocket!
If the chassis was really shot that could cost £10k to have a new bespoke one made,stripped out and rebuilt probably £5k.
Door and window seals have done a good job,just a slight musty smell,should all respond to a clean and feed well,and then a trim colour refresh would be easy!
 
Re: Pilkies possible project!!!

If I saw that car my hand would be writting out a cheque so quick that I would not even be bothered with inspecting the cars condition first.

Absolutly jealous of you, what a find http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CisMWL0U ... re=related

Oh well I suppose I can live vicariously thru your rebuild, I think there would be few on this forum that would not love to see a dedicated rebuild thread of this marvelous car

Graeme
 
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