Team CJ Lightweight E Type
1963 Low Drag Coupe (BG)
 Restoration log by Dan Mooney
   
 

 

This very special Team CJ Lightweight E Type is being built as an alloy bodied tribute to the world famous Low Drag Coupe created by the Jaguar factory when they modified Peter Lindner's 1963 Lightweight E Type roadster (chassis # S850662). Malcolm Sayer designed the bodywork with improved aerodynamics, hoping to push Lindner towards the winner's circle at Le Mans in the spring of 1964. Unfortunately, the car suffered mechanical problems which ultimately led to it being withdrawn from the race. Tragically, just a few months later, Peter Lindner lost his life when he crashed his Low Drag Coupe while racing in Monlhery, France. 

In terms of appearance, the Team CJ Lightweight Low Drag Coupe will closely resemble the original "Lindner" Low Drag Coupe. The car will feature a Team CJ 4.7L Stage Two engine producing around 390 HP and 445 ft/lbs of torque as well as a host of performance and reliability upgrades.

 



Update report - September 23, 2020
Assembling the engine in the Team CJ engine shop this afternoon.
Darien installing the pistons and rods


































Oil pump assembly and piping now installed
 Timing chains in place










Timing chain cover and water pump installed











Red mark denotes heavy side of piston on the
exhaust side










Corey and Darien installing the head










Torquing the cylinder head nuts
 Timing the cams




Update report - September 18, 2020
Darien has the short block assembly underway in the Team CJ Engine Shop.










































Update report - August 13, 2020
Corey has now completed the machine work and reassembled your cylinder head.

Water jackets have been welded and reshaped
on the mill










Head on the assembly bench











Installing the custom Team CJ tappets










Installing the Stage Two camshafts











The finished article!




Update report - July 27, 2020
The following sequence of photos show the cylinder head machine work underway and the cad plated front suspension.
Stroked billet crank, Carrillo rods and ARP main caps










Reshaping water jackets after weld repairs
 Align honing the cylinder head











A view down the cam shaft saddles










Honing the valve guides










Front suspension restored and cad plated




Update report - June 23, 2020
Trial fitting front and rear screens to the Low Drag Coupe







Update report - June 19, 2020
Lots of progress with the Low Drag Coupe engine rebuild in the Team CJ machine shop.
Cylinder head prior to disassembly
 Two chambers have shrapnel damage that will have
to be welded and machined











Close up of shrapnel damage











The head pays a visit to Jake in the TCJ Coachworks
 Welds will be ground back and machined










Custom top hat liners installed
 Machining the deck surface perfectly flat










Grinding main caps in preparation for the align hone
 Setting up to align hone the block











A view along the seven main housings, which are
now perfectly straight and round











Test fitting the billet 4.7 crankshaft
















Update report - June 17, 2020
More of Carlos' handiwork in the TCJ trim room!

Seat base hide sections now sewn together










Carlos trimming the excess trim and hide from the
bottom of the seat base










Seat base now ready to install










Note attention to detail even on areas of the seat
base that won't be seen










First seat now fully assembled


































Simpson belts add a nice period looking touch



Update report - June 11, 2020
The following sequence of photographs show Carlos beginning the process of trimming the seats in black hide. The last three images show the special flywheel and ultra strong clutch supplied by my friend Rob Beere in England.
Lightweight aluminum seat frames
 The contours in the foam are carved by hand











Making templates for the hide sections










Carlos sculpting the edges of the seat back











Plotting the location of the pleats


































The new hide that will be used for both seats



































Marking out the pleats for the first seat back











Sewing the pleats






















Carlos has been working his magic in the TCJ trim
room for more than 12 years!























One seat back now virtually complete











Ultra strong billet clutch needed to handle almost
450 ft/lbs of torque











It will be a shame to hide these items inside the
bell housing!




Update report - May 22, 2020
  Engine teardown

































































Update report - May 13, 2020
The heart and soul of your 4.7L Stage Two engine will be this beautiful billet crankshaft. It is almost a shame to hide it inside the engine!


















Opening report - April 29, 2020
We are delighted to get this exciting Team CJ Lightweight build underway!





































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