Project History

After stripping down the Cresta, all the body panels were removed and the

body section as in the photo cut off of the rusting floor. Note the support frame

inside to prevent movement.

Next attention turned to stripping out the Jaguar. Due to the complexities of the

XJR’s mechanics and electrics, the decision was made to leave these in place. Although extra

time would be needed working around them, more time would be saved in the long term.

A support frame was made and attached to the sills, the ‘A’ posts and to the top

of the inner wings. The jaguar has a very strong floor but no chances were going to be taken,

the last thing I needed was a distorted chassis.

In the photo the ‘B’ posts can be seen leaning against the wall, these will adapted and used

in the conversion to a 2 door. This will also allow us to use the Jaguar seat belts.

The position of these will be decided later.

To enable the Cresta shell to fit on the Jaguar, more work removing unwanted metalwork

was done. The photos show more rust, this time under the scuttle. Fortunately this inner panel will

be removed because only the outside panel will remain, the Jaguar replaces most of

what you see in these two photos.

During this time lots of plans and measurements were taken, because these are two

different cars that we are attempting to blend together in the hope that once finished,

would look like a perfect marriage. Some of the issues that will need solving include:

wiper linkage, blending the Jaguar parcel shelf the base of the Cresta windscreen and

adapting the Jaguar ‘A’ post, to work with the ‘dog leg’ of the windscreen while still

allowing the use of the Jaguar hinges

A bonus is the fuel filler flap, which is in the same place on the Jaguar and Cresta,

and yes the Cresta’s was rusty!

The following photos show the initial trial fit to see if all our plans and measurements are

correct and we weren’t making one big expensive mistake. What a relief it all seems to work,

in fact only a few minor problems, which can be easily solved.

The photo below shows a more advanced trial fit after more fine-tuning of the Cresta.

For the first time you can now get an idea of how the car will look.

I always knew the hardest part of the project was to blend both vehicles together

seamlessly. There are slight differences in size, the Jaguar being the largest. But what’s

caused the biggest problem by far is their shape. The Cresta’s width tapers to the rear,

it’s a lot narrower than the front. Also converting to a 2 door as well means less

flexibility in solving this issue.

This photo shows how I’ve blended in the lengthened ‘dog leg’ of the Cresta to

the ‘A’ post of the Jaguar. I’ve added braces around this pillar because the design of

the 50’s car was done for looks not strength. Not forgetting the car will have 370 BHP

pulling on the body. The lower brace although large, will be hidden by the Jaguar dash,

which extends very low. You can also see how the bottom windscreen aperture

blends into the Jaguar dash.

This photo shows how I’m in the process of making the scuttle as a detachable panel,

to gain access to the wiper motor and linkage.

Here you see the new position of the ‘B’ post for the 2-door conversion. There is also

extra bracing to support the rear windscreen ‘dog leg’, and to brace this to the post.

This photo shows the lower boot panel with the Jaguar floor. A complete new lower

panel section was made from scratch because the Cresta’s was so rusty and couldn’t be used.

Still got work to do on the boot flange, a few rusty bits yet to repair.

I’m particularly pleased with this part. Making a box with welded nuts and building it

into the Jaguar chassis leg has solved the mounting of the rear bumper.

Next was making the extended doors. A section was taken from the Jaguar rear door and

spliced into the front one to give the desired length. I’m only using the

bottom half, the top will be Cresta.

There is a lot of work to do on the doors. Repositioning the electric windows so as

to align with the Cresta roof, reshaping the flanges to copy the contour of the Cresta,

to name just two. Then I will re-skin them using fresh sheet metal 0.9 mm thick.

These photos show the extra length that will be added to the front. 11 inches on the

bonnet and 6 to the wings. Note the lower part of the wing will be cut short to fit

above the Jaguar sill. I will make new wheel arches to a similar design as I did on the

Viva Cabriolet (click on 'viva'), but larger.

This photo shows how I’ve copied the Cresta inner door shape to align with the

lengthened wings.

The grey panel is a test panel for the glass while I get the Jaguar and Cresta parts to

work together. I will eventually get glass cut to size and then get it toughened.

The new ‘B’ post. At first I was worried that it was going to be too large, but now it’s

finished I am very happy with the result. There will be a fixed glass panel in the rear.

Here you can see the work started on the rear wing with the re-skinning and the new

wheel-arch shape. At the moment this is just tacked together while final fabricating is done.

Visitors to the workshop have said it will probably be the world’s longest two-door coupe?

This photo shows the ‘C’ post and internal rear panel. You can see the strengthening I’ve put in.

Probably over the top, but at least I now it will be strong.

As you can see from the picture below I have completed one side.

The new door skin, which is 1.1mm thick sheet metal went on very well,

needing very little panel beating work. Although the panels are of a slightly

different size and shape to the original car, very importantly to

me it still looks like a Cresta.

I have managed to use the Jaguar boot hinges; this has worked out well

because the old Cresta’s mechanism would have touched the fuel tank that

fits under the parcel shelf. They also have air struts: that makes

for a very smooth operation.

This photo shows the parcel shelf, blending in of the Jaguar and

Cresta sections.The odd shape is to allow the use of the audio

systems sub and to hide the new boot hinges. It’s all built as a box

section to increase strength

FAQ, s

A selection of questions that I have been asked up to now ……

Q When do you expect to finish the Cresta and take her to a car show.
A I was hoping for the 2010 show season, but because the painters have
taken longer than i expected and due to work commitments it looks
more likely that winter 2010 will be the completion date.
I don't want to rush and not be happy with the final result.

Q What do you think the performance will be like?

A It’s hard to say, the aerodynamics are not as good as the Jaguar, but

hopefully it will weigh a little less. The top speed is limited to 155 mph, without

the limiter it would be about 170.

Of course I would never do that on the public roads! I would love to take it to

the Vauxhall proving ground at Millbrook or the Nurberg Ring just to see.

The 0-60 time from the Jaguar was 5.1 secs. in sport mode; the Cresta will be

about the same. Don’t mention the economy, apparently with your right foot

down it drops from about 22 mpg to less than 10.

Q Will you be doing anything to the engine to get more power?

A It’s already got 370 bhp compared to the Cresta’s 70. There are extras

available that can boost this up to 450 bhp. With a better exhaust system and