The E-type Series-1 Judging Guide & references states the tops as being plated for a 1962 car, not bare brass. Nigel Thorley's 2008 book shows as an official reference states that the tops were brass and not plated on a MK I. Is this correct?

Submitted by NE08-63766 on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 19:47

........then again, my HD-8's had black damper tops, correct for this set, off an early XKE, I was told. Now bolted to a straight port head on my 3.4L, XK-150.

see link below for photos of the complete rebuild & an image of damper tops.

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 16:12

Bob what do I say ---nothing. But Skinner Union and Jaguar agreed that they were Brass with Cadmium plating. I thought we had dismissed this as everyone that was questioning the finish drawings had taken their tops and seen that in the areas you can not polish there was in fact the remainder of the cad. plate. In case this becomes an argument about an E type or a MK1 (which I assume to be either a 2.4 or 3.4 L saloon) I have the finish drawings for that too--guess what--Brass with Cad. plate on all parts you have cited. Nigel is a good author but he is just documenting what he has seen--he is right --they are Brass--but after 50 years or so cad-has left the building.

Submitted by NC19-03320J on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 16:23

Out of curiosity from what sourse did Nigel obtain his information? We do know trom an S.U. Carburetter Co, Ltd drawing of the various finishes on the HD8's used on the 1958 XK 150S states" All exterior brass and steel parts(except throttle spindles & accel needle) to be cadmium coated". George, What say you?