Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

Oil supply failure in the 4 litre engine I have not heard of... but overheating I have. The failure to maintain ant freeze with corrosion inhibitors would cause the radiator to become clogged up resulting in head gasket failure.

The design of the F head also came in for criticism as being inefficient. The combustion chamber was no better than a side valve but the original ploy was to provide a large valve area; which it did.

The 4 litre fuel consumption was dreadful with no better than 14 mpg. When one considers the Rolls Royce 6230cc delivers @12 mpg it puts things into perspective.

Much of the unrefined nature of the FB60 4 litre engine was masked by the VDP extensive sound deadening. I imagine class driven motives of buyers would have caused many a blind eye to be turned towards the engineering.

[Ashley]

The B60s in the MK6, R and S type eventually became very durable and reliable not to mention powerful, but the fire engines, military engines, lorry engines etc were all troublesome so the FB60 was just another.
The Westminster and relatives were faster and more durable than the competition, but no quite so nice to handle

The 4L was judged dated when it arrived and then the engine gave problems so only about 3000 sold. It was more expensive that a Jag too.

[Ray White]

Actually, 6,999 were sold...but I take your point. If I had a nice one now I wonder if a Mk6 Bentley engine would fit?

(I know,,, just buy a Mk6!!)

[Ashley]

[Ray White]

[Ellis]

[Ray White]

Yes indeed, Ellis. Considering the popularity of the 1100/1300 version, I would have thought it would have been a useful addition to the line up. What I have wondered was whether the later ADO61 3 litre should also have been given the VDP treatment.

[emmerson]

Do you know what has stopped me buying a Jaguar? Any model? Because people will insist on calling them Jags!
It's almost as bad as calling a Bentley a Bent!

[Ellis]

[Ray White]

People can call them what they like it doesn't bother me.

What I get annoyed about is when car manufacturers neglect rust prevention.

Jaguars were no exception.

[Ashley]

To be fair most companies did their best to protect against rust, but with paints and under seals that were not very good compared to what we have now.

However as competitively was eroded thanks to union intransigence etc and the whole industry struggled to compete internationally, short cuts were taken. Also some designs were dreadful rust traps, Even R-R&B.

[emmerson]

[Ray White]

My Dad bought a brand new FA Victor. I lasted just 3 years before terminal rust had set in. I remember one of the headlamps fell out bringing a heap of rust with it.

[Farmer John]

Now here is something to make you British proud.
In the late sixties one of the local Vets had tired of buying a new locally built six cylinder car every year to service his rural clients. There were not a lot of sealed roads in rural areas then, we had what we called metal roads or gravel whatever you call them which had potholes and loose stones at all times. Dusty when dry to grind all the moving parts underneath and gritty slush when wet. Driving through puddles would blast the grit into places your ordinary grit could not reach.
So the Vet bought a Rover. According to gossip the Rover needed only last a few years and he would be ahead on costs. Well, the Rover went on and on and on. Always covered in dust or mud the appearance gradually changed as the paint lost its shine, what could be seen of it, and the usual wear and tear spoiled it. Giving it a wash would have helped. Seven or eight years it carried on, could have been his last car I cannot remember. Maybe the comfort was as big a factor as the absolute toughness.
So there you go a Rover is six times as good as our locally built sixes.
Neither the Jaguar nor the Rover could compete with Daimler here for status for what it is worth. These days I would exchange none of them for my Australian built #360c.i. Chrysler Limousine.
John

[Ashley]

Emerson

I agree with you, but the pre fifty five cars were, in the main, well protected. Problem was unions and stupid government and that we were struggling by the latter part of the fifties to compete.

Rovers were special and Porsche’s which were carefully protected and well designed rotted like hell regardless.

And one for Ray a 4L R

I've found a fantastic auction on Catawiki! Come have a look: http://www.catawiki.com/kavels/20458727 http://www.catawiki.com/kavels/20458727