It seems that design/development of the XJ13 occupied the thoughts of its engineers - especially when they were attending events such as Le Mans. I came across some scribbled notes made by George Buck - written on the front and back of what seem to be practice times for the 32nd Le Mans event ....
32nd 'Grand Prix d'endurance et de rendement de 24 heures' - notes by George Buck
It seems the Ferraris were dominant in practice with Sargent's E-Type trailing more than a minute behind. Is it possible that Buck's reference to "P Banning of Autospray" were the people being considered to paint the XJ13?
Meanwhile, back at home, the XJ13 continued its trials with a fifth test ...
The following quoted text is © Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust and should not be copied without their permission.
Fifth test May 23rd 1967
Mileage Start 317
5th Test May 23rd 1967
Test carried out over 163 miles. 2nd engine
General performance good
Work after test as follows
Front and rear wheel alignment checks carried out and reset to 1 degree -ve camber .15"(?) toe in 5 degrees +ve castor. No alignment change (Front)
Rear. 1 degree -ve camber .30" toein ----(remainder indistinct ?)
Front roll bar rate checked. Roll bar changed to 3/4"
Clutch slave cyl changed. Piston picked up in bore
Steer deflections measured - side drag
Electrical systems checked and rectified
Plug leads and conductors changed
Oil warning light replaced with yellow glass
Petrol filler cap modified
Speedo 480 miles
May 28th 1967 - Taken to MIRA. No test. Rain.
6th Test - June 18th 1967
Car ran over 286 miles. No major problems
The following work carried out after test
Check wheel alignment. Found to be within 1/8" longitudinal 3/16" diagonal
Check gear change linkage
Change brake pads all round
Brake balance bar ratio changed to .66 front .9 rear
Provide fresh air to cockpit
Fit 7 tooth pinion
Change front roll bar to 3/4" EN42
Fit rear roll bar 5/8" EN42
Modify rev counter drive and eliminate oil leak
Eliminate oil leak in cockpit
Fit fuel pressure gauge
Modified rear roll bar links with rose joints fitted. New housings with TufNol bushes.
7th Test - July 2nd 1967
Car ran at MIRA over 165 miles
Bedding of new pads
Work carried out during and after test
1. Seven tooth pinion removed. 8 tooth pinion refitted. This gave better steering reaction on banking.
Remove transmission unit and examine clutch throw out mechanism for source of squeal on takeoff. New throw out bearing fitted old one returned to Hoffman for test
2. New front suspension bearings with rose joints fitted
3. Change balance bar ratio .605 F / .950 Rear spacers
Examine pads and discs to determine reason for unequal braking
5. Use new method of securing h/shaft bearings in g/box using Hoffman deep groove bearings thick spacers and circlip groove widened
6. Modifications carried out on 'A' bracket anchorage and wishbone location at lower rear 'A' link bracket
7. Rose joint housing in rear wishbone o/s replaced after noting wear in hsg
8. Speedo drive with 'O' ring seal fitted
9. Engine cam cover leak. New material gasket fitted
10. 4.1 speedo with r.angle drive fitted. Original 4.5 instrument returned to Smiths for repair
11. Refit o/s door and modify locking peg
12. Improve method of securing front side valance to reduce time taken for removal
Total mileage on old speedo 957
8th Test - July 9th 1967
Speedo at start 000
Test at MIRA over 204 miles
Driver - Hobbs. Car stopped noise in clutch
1. Transmission and clutch housings removed. Clutch spacer ring disintegrated
New bell hsg. Clutch spacer ring made in LM8WP material. Fitted. New flywheel
2. Strip all brake calipers. Fit new seals all round. New front discs and rear hoses
3. Strip all hubs. Fit new seals and bearings all round. Reduce end float at rear to minimum
4. Check for end float in front suspension rose joints. All OK
All ball joint gaiters on front suspension renewed. Originals charred and split
Fit split rings to h/shaft drive flanges
7. Re-cased(?) all dampers
8. Fit new rear springs
9. Reset geometry to take new low profile tyres
10. Refit o/s door catch
11. Repair rear of body
12. Fit thermo couples to discs
13. Replace spark plug connectors
14. Fit air ducts to front and rear brakes
15. All wheels returned to Dunlop for securing of drive pegs
Speedo 204
Total miles 1157
To be continued ...