When are we going to be able to watch Hammonds workshop in the US? I would pay for discovery plus just for that one show. Come on quit teasing us Americans and let us watch your show too
I love these episodes and I’m glad Richard found the exact spec on the e type he was looking for, but the true gem of a find here is Neil and his years of knowledge/expertise working on motor vehicles. I hope this turns into a series on RU-vid apart from the TV show. Keep up the great work Richard and crew!
I thought when he said something like “we’re going to work on this here” he was going to segue into “and we’ll restore Neil’s car at the shop!”. It was right they’re waiting to be hit out the park.
These videos are what Richard Hammonds Workshop should be. None of these weird corny skits, with accountants driving golf buggies and mechanics pretending to play video games. Just Richard, a car, and some actual restoration!
The video hasn't even started yet and I've come looking in the comments to see who has said it's an E-Type. I'll look an idiot if it's not but I'm doubling down on what I believe is one of the most iconic shapes.
This was such a fantastic video! Watching Richard and Neil geeking out on a particular mechanical component of an iconic car is a proper car nerd's joy. And I can't help but feel extremely happy for Richard! While the other two have moved on to other stuff, Hammond has stayed loyal to the cars and is doing what he loves, which is working on cars and buying the cars he loves (though I still hate that he sold his Esprit Sport 350). Are you listening DriveTribe? More of this (and less of the scripted skits) please!
I very much agree with you on the XKE’s brilliant IRS, Richard. It wouldn’t “feel” like an XKE without it. We American Hot Rodders latched on to it because it was so easy to literally bolt into place. Everything was already done…suspension geometry, shocks and springs, differential gears, brakes, axles…all in one package. Brilliant stuff! I’m looking forward to watching the restoration!
As a American and a American car guy, I can easily see myself have a mug of coffee while you two drink tea. The both of you easily transcends the immense cultural difference. Really enjoy every video you put out! Thank you.
We do drink a lot of coffee in the UK, you know. Even our instant coffee is a lot better than the stuff in your supermarkets, unless you pay through the nose. Richard even mentioned coffee, not tea.
Not true, Alfas 33 Stradale and Lancias Beta Volumex are both infinitely prettier. Ferraris P3 is more striking. Aston Martins DB5 is better proportioned. XKE is pretty but not perfect.
Richard, I hope you help Neil finish his Ford after the Jag. It's nice to know you're staying true to the original Jag, keeping the essence of what makes them so special. Keep us updated, please,
Wow, your take and love for Jaguar really shines through in your detailed storytelling! It's clear you appreciate the engineering marvel these machines are. Can't wait to see the restoration. Your passion is truly inspiring to fellow Jaguar enthusiasts like myself. Keep it up and can't wait to follow this "skunk works" project!
Nice video folks. I still remember in 78/79 when I got to drive a 62 e-type ( I was 13!) My dads friend was going thru a divorce and was hiding it in our garage. The battery died and I could drive a stick (thanks Dad!). They pushed and I dumped the clutch to start it but "couldn't stop fast and keep it running" (my story). Got to go around the block in it but they both pulled me out as soon as I got back to the house.... wow what a car.
Really enjoyed this video, one of the best Drivetribe videos in a while. We all like some lighthearted laughs but it's nice to see Richard talk passionately without all the goofy act you see constantly in Hammonds Workshop
I loved my S type that had the same IRS. Although bigger than the mkII it seemed much more nimble and hugged the corners on the old winding Welsh roads really well.
I love seeing the old-school of cool classics getting passionately restored great work guys , and the engineering of the IRS is pure engineering genius 👏
I learned to drive a manual transmission on a right hand drive Jaguar XK120 an uncle bought back from England in the early 50s. Learning to shift an American manual after that was a treat! Great collection, Mr Hammond!
I'm no way a car enthusiast but i recently bought a 2010 Jaguar XF Portfolio and have to say the best car by far i have ever owned, so i see Richard's enthusiasm , even the raised bonnet is the same, but i get excited every time i sit in the thing, just beautiful. Can't wait to see the finished Jag.
As you pursued/have a car that excites you, hate to break it to you but, welcome to the car enthusiast family :). You don't need to know absolutely everything or care to learn everything to be an enthusiast :)
I saw Richard recently, 9am on a crisp Saturday morning in Buttermere. Across the road from the Bridge Inn and staring into the stream like he was contemplating the world. Probably thinking about his jaaaaaag.
Troppo bravo Richard.. spero davvero che la sua nuova attività funzioni bene perché se lo merita, si vede che ama davvero le auto e questo lo sanno milioni d persone..
Don't see many Jags in my area, and I don't really follow what they're doing. But a few months ago I saw a brand new F-Type in a parking lot, and that's enough to make anyone a Jaguar person. Gorgeous cars.
Me too! Dad always said that by the time I could get a license I would be able to afford one. Started appreciating in price just before I turned 17 and prices have always been that little bit out of reach, ever since. Well out of my budget now! Do have Dad’s Series 3 in the garage but it needs a lot of work. Al least I have a Jaguar to admire, even if it is not drivable.
I was lucky enough to follow a series 1 around a track. What a lovely car to watch corner and when he opened it up on the straight - such a wonderful noise!
Even though I've never owned a Jaguar, I've become a Jag man like Hammond. I never really knew about them since I am young and from the USA. I like the new F-Types but I would also love to own a 70s model XJ Coupe which I understand to be relatively rare. The E-Types are beautiful as well! The British Racing Green is the only color I would own a Jag in.
Buy yourself a late 80s XJ40 to start. They are cheap as chips, and a great foray into the world of ‘classic’ Jaguar. Was my first Jaguar and loved every second of ownership.
I did exactly this restoration in 2010-12 with CMC. S1 (‘63) 3.8 FHC. Cooper craft brakes, VSE engine, big radiator, i put a 5 speed in and a small AC. Painted it dark blue, now covered 100k miles in it, owned it for 30 years this year.. fab car. Just amazing how good to drive given age.
Nice. Jag IRS is actually the first thing I think of with the E type (even with it being one of the most beautiful car ever made). Probably because I am an American hot rodder. I think the dark Opalescent Blue is crying out for a light tan interior to go with it, just my opinion.
Great choice Richard - I have a 1963 FHC in the same colour - Original Northern Ireland car and brought back here 2 years ago and still on its original Irish number plates - it’s the best colour and look forward to following your project
Back in 1971 I bought a 1960 ex race car E Type Jag with original 3.8 crash 5 speed gear box . It had a peddle back system on the Front Brakes ... I swapped it three years late for a new Kawasaki Z1 900 ... The Kawasaki lasted 30 days before I dropped it on an "S" bend .... Buying the E Type was a present for not being "Called Up " for a tour of Vietnam at the age of 19 ...
Beautiful car! Looking forward to seeing the progress of this restoration. I'm not vary familiar with Jaguars, but have always thought they were fantastic looking cars. That said, thank you for pointing out the engineering of the rear end unit of of the Jag, I didn't know about that.., brilliant! I'm a purist when it comes to restoring MOST vehicles, it depends on their rarity as to the type of restoration they should get. I do like resto-mods on some vehicles depending if they're going to be drivers, for the safety aspects, but if they're going to "show" cars then originality is important to me. My most lusted after car is a 65-66 Mustang Ragtop GT, but I want it to be upgraded, because it'll be driven...., a lot.
@@sonofsandwiches6892 Clarkson isn’t in the least bit mechanically inclined, to the best my knowledge, but he can be remarkably intelligent and clever when he’s not playing the oaf. The point stands
I didn't fully appreciate the jag irs system when I was learning to spanner on rusty old jags but as a seasoned tech now I adore the design its a masterpiece of engineering 👌
I’m having Hammond pick my Lottery numbers. He’s got to be the Luckiest Man alive. Survived all of those Crashes, gets his Unicorn Car dropped in his lap, doesn’t get murdered by Clarkson and May, what more proof do you need?😉
I shall follow every episode with enthusiasm. I am a life long Jag fan and actually sold them for a while in the 1980's I owned a beautiful signal red series 3 V12 roadster which I loved (and hated, but you know what that's like). Have fun making it beautiful.
This is one of those videos that should be incredibly boring, yet very quickly becomes absolutely fascinating. Mostly down to the knowledge, enthusiasm and personality of both Richard and Neil.
Congrats to Neil for his weight loss, I was afraid Richard would someday do a video where he would sadly announce us his master mechanic went to the big car park in the Heavens. Neil, poke your son and brother to do the same, they're fine blokes as well! And yes, rebuild the Jag, it's worth it!
I just so happened to be following an E-Type, and it was a FHC, down a rough country road here in Australia last week admiring the rear suspension at work. I was sure that the driver was having a much more fun than I was.
Richard, Neil, I have a few upgrades on my IRS which you may be interested in. I tested the IRS outside the car to check all was good. The video is called ( Jaguar E Type IRS Test rig ) it gave me great piece before fitting it back in the car. Looking forward to following the rebuild. Cheers Dave
I can relate, I'm also an American who is a Jag Man. Though, I must confess, my weekend car is a 2015 Vanquish. Not quite a Jag, but not far off. If I could, I'd have a C-X75... but with the Aston's V-12.
Same here Jag man thru and thru. Just doing my 2002 xj8..sports exhaust,lowered springs,adjustable shocks for now. I did have an e type, mk 2s etc but I also had a Ram Cobra with…..yes you guessed it a Jag irs. Small world great video.
Not very fair he has to work out of hours building Hammond a fleet of appreciating classics and cant find time to work on his own cars and when he mentions it Richard just goes back to talking about his car and himself which is all he ever does
I’m nearly three years into my FHC restoration…… I already know you will be finished well before I am. Great car choice and a fabulous colour. Enjoy the journey guys!
In 1980’s Australia, the very top custom Holdens and Fords had Jag rear ends. Most of us could only dream about that - Expensive. In the 90’s my dad bought a used Sovereign, (with a 4 bolt 350). Then I got to see/feel what the fuss was about - I was amazed that such a big and comfortable car could handle so well.
Glad you are leaving the Moss box in it! It makes it a proper drivers car! They sound lovely with the classic 1st gear straight cut whine, I'm pulling out the all synchro on my 64 3.8 MK2 as the layshaft bearings are gone and putting a Moss back in! Got me a nice low mileage one in mint condition, Redline MTF oil is the best for a Moss, It really helps the synchro's out!
Nice episode. For us USA types, we came to see this as the compliment to the C2 Corvette IRS. Both pretty powerful cars with similar loading into the center sections 🙃
This is going to be gorgeous in the opalescent dark blue. Great taste Hammond. My top 3 favorite 60's era designs are, Series 1 E-type, 275GTB/4, Alfa Romeo prototipo 33 stradale.
My dream car since I was 13 yet I've never owned one. God willing I'll get a chance to earn the right to park one in my garage before I die. Can't wait to see yours completed❣️Best to you!
Well there's a nice little coincidence. Always been a fan and now to see you've got the same car as me be it a '62 vs my '63. Same colour Opalescent Dark blue though mine has the red interior. Bought in Feb driven for the first time 2 weeks ago after restoration. Stunning piece of machinery worthy of all the accolades. Will follow every step of your project.
The IRS system components should be chromed as in so many custom cars. And yes Richard "Mr. Jag" mentioned inboard brakes reducing unsprung mass for better suspention damping but he missed a significant point, the IRS system has taken mass away from the outside and moved it more centrally thereby minimising the transverse Delta in the centre of gravity when cornering. I would'nt powdercoat the subframe, I would make a stainless steel replica of it. Reduced weight, stronger, less maintenance, better looks, talking point. Why not? Even if only cutting out the most visible pannels from subframe & replacing with stainless steel. Nice project.
When I graduated college in 1970 in Las Vegas, I took a job in LA. Whenever I was driving the 300 miles between the two in my Healy 3000, E-types would blow past me -- repeatedly. The Healy could hit 90 before the out-of-balance wire wheels would vibrate violently. But even at 90 the E-types had 20 mph or more on me.