Just before Christmas we were commissioned to build a Jaguar E-Type for a client and just a few days later our client’s friend decided he would like one too! Both clients requested a roadster modified to Lightweight specification (our favourite). Obviously, as anyone who sets their heart on a new toy knows, we always want them as soon as possible and our clients set the deadline of wanting their cars ready to take to the Le Mans Classic 2010, over the weekend of 9-11 July. No problem!

Car Number One

Preparations had already begun on this car and we were asked to take over the project. First up for us was to install the roll cage and align the roof. We then had to prepare the car for the painters by ensuring a perfect line in the aluminium bodywork and carry out bespoke modifications requested by the customer.

This car is currently at the painters.

Car Number Two

Originally this car began life as a coupe however the customer requested a roadster so off came the roof! Let’s hope he doesn’t change his mind!

Currently we are working on preparing the body shell ready to be sandblasted, so we truly have a bare metal blank canvas with which to create our masterpiece.

Already we have begun the process of ordering all the parts we need for the cars; some parts we have in stock, most we make ourselves (like fuel/oil tanks, exhausts, seats and radiators etc) and others such as the Mota Lita steering wheels are made to order. Once we have the cars back from painters we’ll have an E-Type production line going on!

And while Jim and Marc are busy building the cars, Claire will be keeping a photo diary and updating you regularly on progress.

In the meantime we have a ferry to book to Le Havre, accommodation at Le Sarthe to source and some passports to renew. Well, it would be rude to send the latest batch of Tester cars out into the world and not accompany them to France. Wouldn’t it?!

We love the stuff and right now are like the proverbial pigs in muck! One of our favourite cars is the Jaguar Lightweight E-Type and in particular the Briggs Cunningham cars.

Cunningham, an American car collector, first entered the Le Mans race in 1950 in a special-bodied Cadillac and a year later embarked on a production run of cars in his own factory to qualify as a manufacturer with the FIA. Cunningham’s best finish was fourth in 1952, while the best year for the team was 1954 when cars finished third and fifth. The last year that Cunningham’s featured at Le Mans was 1956; this was also the year that Cunningham first ran a Jaguar at Le Sarthe.

In 1960 Cunningham made an unsuccessful return to Le Mans, this time with Corvettes and one Jaguar, the E2A prototype. It was in 1963, when the iconic blue stripes appeared on three Lightweights entered by Cunningham but sadly success was still out of reach.

These three cars (5114 WK, 5115 WK and 5116 WK) have helped to shape Jim Tester as they have been a part of his life since childhood and, to come full circle, are the “muck” us pigs are surrounded by today!

In the mid 1980’s Jim Senior (in the first incarnation of Tester Engineering) worked on 5114 WK from his Scottish base. The car, then owned by Campbell McLaren, was notoriously unreliable and was re-built and run at tracks like Knockhill and Nurburgring.

Here’s a seven year old Jim Jnr out in the workshop learning his craft!

Today’s Tester Engineering is now recreating these beauties for a valued customer and Jim’s experience with his father is helping to make sure every detail is taken into account.  This particular car has re-built for the customer and modified to Leightweight specification with certain aluminium bodywork parts, racing suspension geometry and lightweight aluminium high efficiency water radiator and header tank .. to name but a few modifications!

Both Jim’s lost count a long time ago of all the cars they worked on and its this experience that can be yours if you bring your classic cars (be they road or race, Jim has seen them) to Tester Engineering.

Jim with 2009 recreation of the beautiful Jaguar Lightweight E-Type

The car we are currently building is but hours away from completion now and will then hit the track day scene to hone the ride and engine sounds.

Is this the ultimate E-Type?  Tell us what you think in the comments below!

If you’ve got a classic car that you would love to turn into your dream racer contact us at Tester Engineering on 01327 315048.

LYS 818, our Jaguar XK120, is our showpiece. It is a stunningly beautiful car that has Jim’s blood, sweat and tears welded into every inch.
The car was re-built from the wheels up, using knowledge passed down from Jim’s father (Jim Tester Senior) and with a few of Jim’s own ideas utilising techniques and technology available today. The car is ever changing though to fit in with regulation changes when they are brought in by the organisers of the racing series, the JEC XK Challenge/Master Series, or when entering different race series.

One of Jim’s top tips when preparing a racing car is to think about weight and its distribution throughout the car. The first simple step is to remove any unnecessary weight you may be carrying around. Take out your spare wheel, any interior trim, bumpers.

Then you can think about replacing heavier metal items on the car with like for like components made of aluminium. LYS 818 is an aluminium bodied car built on an original steel chassis with several of her (yes, the car is a she, named Louise!) major organs replaced, like the brass radiator now a shining star in aluminium.

You may find now that your car complies with weight regulations for your particular series, but if you find you are underweight it’s no bad thing. Now you can add a bit of ballast just where you want it. In an ideal world you are after 50/50 weight distribution; 50/50 front to back and left to right. This makes the car easier to drive, nicely balanced and predictable. Always make sure your ballast is totally secure though ~ scrutineers will check!

Good Luck!

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Tester Engineering took on a huge project to restore not just one, but three Ferrari 250 LM chassis. This extensive task includes the manufacture of a complete bespoke chassis jig and the fabrication and machining of unobtainable chassis and suspension parts.

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