Excellent press photo, Lee!
Always motivation seeing any and all pictures of these.
Now that the Jag is done (for now) it’s back onto the 507 and I decided to tackle the doors. I really only have the shell done which is just a skin and a few stations right now. I kept it all open purposefully so I can manage the innards. Part of the hours spent on this project are not so much in the shop as they are figuring out what to use for various parts of the car like door handles, locks, windows, wheels, etc. Studying the 507 shows the curves and slender design in even stuff like the door handles. I spent hours searching various classic car door handles and came up with 1955 Chrysler Windsor handles that fit the bill nicely. I like they way the function and they pull outward like the 507s do. But with that, what about the latch/striker? I couldn’t find those anywhere (the handles were off ebay) so then I decided to look for mechanisms that function off a push button rather than a pull lever. Lo and behold, the XKE had just the thing!
Now, knowing I really shouldn’t take them off my Jag, I studied the movement and confirmed it would work with a minor modification. So, ebay to the rescue! I bough a set of latches, guides, and striker plates so now it’s just a matter of making this all somehow fit together.
I’m happy to report the door latches nicely and opens easily too. Alignment is right on!
So that’s just one example of how much research I’ve put into this. Next up on “This old 507” is episode 17: Door glass!!!!!
Cheers
Dave