Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

Jaguar 420G

Jaguar Mk X and 420G

Read the full write-up at Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration ↗

Restoring the Jaguar 420G from the 1990 film The Krays

The owner documents a multi-year restoration of the Jaguar 420G used in the 1990 film The Krays, covering engine recommissioning, carb troubleshooting, interior and heater box repair, and eventual road use. The blog ends with the car being driven to Bonhams for auction after six years of ownership.

Specs

As stated in the original write-up.

Engine: 4.2 litre straight six with triple SU carburettors
Ignition: Upgraded from Lucas points to electronic ignition
Oil: Halfords classic 20W50
Gearbox: Automatic, oil topped up with engine running
Power steering: New hydraulic power steering pipes fitted

Parts used

Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.

Engine 2

Oil filterSNG Barratt
Fitted during oil change after first start
Halfords classic 20W50 oil
Used to refill engine after flushing
In the shops
Millers Classic 20w50 Engine Oil 1 Litre ↗Robsport International· £ 11.94
Millers Classic 20w50 Engine Oil 5 Litre ↗Robsport International· £ 46.74
Millers Classic 20w50 Engine Oil, 5 Litre ↗Robsport International· £ 46.74

Fuel & Ignition 2

SU carburettor diaphragms (set of three)SU
Replaced hardened original diaphragms to cure over-fuelling and misfire
In the shops
Carburettor Diaphragm ↗James Paddock Ltd· £2.95 GBP
Carburettor Diaphragm (CD150) ↗James Paddock Ltd· £10.85 GBP
Rebuild Kit, for three carburettors ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £163.75 GBP
SU carburettor diaphragm springsSU
Replaced a broken front spring and fitted new springs to all three carbs
In the shops
Carburettor Diaphragm ↗James Paddock Ltd· £2.95 GBP
PI Diaphragm Spring Set ↗Angloparts· €46.60 EUR
Carburettor Diaphragm (CD150) ↗James Paddock Ltd· £10.85 GBP

Suspension & Steering 1

Hydraulic power steering pipes
Replaced original pipes after a split was found in the high pressure line
In the shops
Power Steering Hydraulics ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $0.00 USD
Rebuilt Power Steering Pump ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $0.00 USD
Power Steering Cooling Pipe (NA) ↗MX5 City· $169.13 USD

Body & Trim 2

Heater box repair panel
New sheet metal welded into the rusted bottom and rear of the original heater box
In the shops
Sill & Wheel-Arch Repair Panel ↗MX5 City· $107.57 USD
D-Post Repair Panel, Right Hand ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $194.61 USD
Seat Pan Repair Panel, Right Rear ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $631.19 USD
Box section (rear jacking point)
Welded in to repair the driver's rear jacking point
In the shops
Left Front Jacking Point ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $118.00 USD
Right Front Jacking Point ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $128.25 USD
Jacking Point, rear LH ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £15.76 GBP

Electrical 3

Electronic ignition conversionLucas
Fitted to replace the original Lucas points ignition
In the shops
Ignition Switch ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $132.06 USD
Pertronix Electronic Ignition Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $169.00 USD
Pertronix Electronic Ignition Module, Negative Ground (22D6) ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $171.50 USD
Lucas hazard warning switchLucas
Original optional-extra switch fitted for US market spec
In the shops
Lens, top indicator, amber, Lucas Classic ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £21.00 GBP
Fog Lights, Lucas Classic ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $243.48 USD
Hazard Warning Switch ↗James Paddock Ltd· £68.50 GBP
Alternator bracket
Original bracket sourced to replace a homemade one fitted previously

Photos

40 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.

Norman Park, Bromley, KentPhoto: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

The Lawns, Rochford, EssexPhoto: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

In the garage is my fathers 1965 S-Type Jaguar (same color inside and out)Photo: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

The Red Lion pub in Charing Heath, KentPhoto: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

First daylight the car has seen in over a year (note the black soot on the floor behind the two tailpipes indicating its running too rich)Photo: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

All three carbs removed and the outsides cleanedPhoto: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

The base of one of the carbs showing years of dirt.Photo: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

Right is the spring from the front carb and left spring is how long it should be!Photo: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

New diaphragm and spring being fitted to the rear carbPhoto: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

Original power steering pipes showing a clear split in the high pressure pipePhoto: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

New hydraulic power steering pipes fittedPhoto: Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration

How it was done

Engine recommissioning

After a long mechanical refurbishment, the owner reconnected the battery and water system and successfully started the engine for the first time in years, though the oil pressure gauge initially failed to read. Oil and filter were changed before the car could be run to temperature.

Carburettor troubleshooting

Once running, the engine misfired and ran rich. The owner removed, stripped and cleaned all three SU carburettors, finding a broken diaphragm spring on the front carb. New diaphragms and springs were fitted from SU, and a leaking vacuum tank valve was replaced, resolving the misfire and allowing the car to be driven properly for the first time.

Interior and heater box

Work continued on door cards and headlining. The heater box was later found badly rusted, a known Mark 10/420G design fault, so new metal was welded in to repair the bottom and rear before repainting and waxoyling, then refitting it past the engine.

Final details and use

Further small jobs included welding a rear jacking point, fitting an original alternator bracket and Lucas hazard switch, adjusting bonnet latches, and resealing windscreen chrome caps. The finished car was driven to shows and to sites linked to the film, covering over 1000 miles, before being delivered to Bonhams for auction.

A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at Krays Jaguar 420G Restoration ↗

Worth knowing

Mark 10 / 420G heater boxes commonly rust through due to scuttle vent water collecting in them
A worn or broken carburettor diaphragm spring can cause persistent over-fuelling and misfiring