Dear Mike:
Regarding Reynolds tubing:
For relevance to the CR mandate, I have always thought the E-type to be the Spitfire-P-51-Riva-Cinelli/Masi/Pogliaghi(50s to early 80s of course Dale!) 4 wheel equivalent for the open road. And the best looking roadster EVER.
I've both flown in a Spitfire and - almost airborne - in my 1966 E-Type ... I've never done any repair work on a Spitfire (wish I could say the same of a vintage Jag!), so I've not examined its frame construction. But E-types are an aircraft type "monocoque" body design. No frame chassis. In 1960 when it was created (adapted from the D-type racing works car) it was a revolutionary body design for a production car.
The only tubing present is the cage for the engine, which consists of square hollow tubes, some solid steering linkage, and some secondary round tubes framing and supporting the radiator, which do not appear to be Reynolds gauge tubing. We have a few ace British car mechanics and restorers on the CR list. I would love to know the facts. Michael Shiffer? Perhaps time to bust - or support - that E-Type Reynolds tubing myth? :-)
I continue to applaud Dales efforts, and all here who have provided so many of us with useful, fun, and insightful information. The recent historical film links are a real treat.
Happy New Year to all - here is wishing everyone a safe, healthy, peaceful 2010.
Kind Regards,
Greg Arnold NYC
greg@nofatmusic.com
http://www.nofatmusic.com