My dream car - 1965 3.8S

[RollyTG]

I have recently acquired a quite nice 3.8S from a seller in Virginia. Apparently it had been sitting in the garage there for five years, but I really know little about its history. It is now in my garage and I am starting on the way up the very steep learning curve towards getting it running and refurbished. It appears to be completely rust free. The paint is quite good but is not original. it was originally a light green colour. It has some minor pieces missing and appears to have some parts disconnected or disabled - eg. the heater is bypassed and the cold start mechanism is converted to a switch operation. It is an automatic - Borg Warner DG250 I think. The interior is mostly good though the wood does need some TLC. The hood liner looks new and the carpet is relatively new. The windscreen and backlight seals will have to be replaced and for those I will need new chrome strips which appear to be unobtainable; oh well, the black look will have to do it seems. I am hoping that members here can help me along the way and will not laugh too much at my newbie questions. I am not a mechanic, though my father was so maybe I can get some psychic help from him. My mechanical experience is limited to a couple of jobs on my 1974 MGB. Looking at this car and how much more complicated (sophisticated?) it is I have to admit that I am like a person who has just learned to dog paddle across the kiddie pool and decides to try out for the Olympic water polo team. I look forward to the challenge of getting this old British beauty back on the road, with the help of forums like this and car club members - and Dr Google. Roland Griffin - Columbia, South Carolina

http://www.http://www.jagstyperegister. ... ew&id=2315

[cass3958]

Roland. Welcome to the forum . What you have there is a great starting point. A rot free car is always good. Your car is not listed on our registry so hopefully you will have sent details of the car to David Reilly and he will add it.

The little bits you are missing we can possibly help with. Although I am in the UK I have a complete front screen surround and a rear left half chrome along with many other small parts that I can send to you. If you PM me for more details and possibly a list of parts that you need, Send me your Email address via PM and we will see what we can sort out.

As for the rookie questions you will possibly find that all your rookie questions have been asked already so use the search facility on here and on the Archive forum but if you cannot find what you are looking for please ask. There are a lot of clever people on here who can assist with most questions and then I will also try and help.

[DevilDog]

Roland,

Very nice....I was in the same position you were 5 years ago. Here is a link to my restoration: http://www.jagstyperegister.com/forum_n ... p?f=3&t=54

There are great topics here and in the archive forum (link above).

Search away and congrats.

[RollyTG]

Thanks Joe. When I get it running I will have a better idea of what I am up against. The carburettors are being refurbished and when I get them back I should be able to get her going - with a little help from our car club guys and this great forum. Then I can determine if the transmission works - I suspect that was the reason it was laid up in the first place. I am spending a lot of time (all my time???) learning about the car and doing little jobs like window seals and interior things. Fuel tank refurbishment is next in line; just waiting for warmer weather for that. I am hopeful that it will be on the road by the end of summer.

[John Quilter]

Good luck with this new project. Being a California car, going by the license, you should not have any rust issues. I did note that the wipers are fitted incorrectly. A LHD car should have both park on the left side of the windscreen. You should be able to remove and re-orientate.

[Glyn Ruck]

Welcome ~ Looks like a nice straight car without tin worm.

Ask away ~ Many here who will happily answer questions & help.

[Glyn Ruck]

Rolly. This car is being parted out in Maryland & still has it's window chromes.


http://www.jagstyperegister.com/forum_n ... f=7&t=1005