The Zwakman Jaguar MK VII Amsterdam / Beijing rally project.
The Jaguar Mark VII was a prominent rally car in the 1950s and 1960s, participating in several key events. Initially designed as a four-door luxury vehicle, it showcased impressive rally capabilities.
One of its most significant accomplishments came in 1956 when it won the Monte Carlo Rally, driven by the Irish team of Ronald (Ronnie) Adams, Frank Biggar, and Derek Johnston. This victory highlighted the Mark VII's competitiveness against more specialized sports cars.
This particular car was build by us for the Amsterdam > Beijing rally, it was build to survive any condition on the way to there, it had as example a dual electronic system in full which can be activated by one turn at a switch in the boot, it had also a dual brake system, it had a spare prop shaft as part of the equipment (as a bend prop shaft is one of the few things that can stop continuing the trip) it had a custom build heavy duty rear axle, it had a custom build suspension system for the job, it had a 140 liter petrol tank and two 20 liter spare can's, it had a cooling system developed for temperatures until 60 degree outside temperature, it had a large oil sump with cooler, it had a up rated diff oil capacity, it had a full synchronised heavy duty gearbox, it had an high torque ZM 3.4 litre 310 HP engine with extremely wide torque range, the wheels were up rated with extra weld's between the heart and the rim and there were two wheels in the spare equipment, the exhaust system was located above the bottom chassis level to protect the system, the chassis and floor was heavily altered needing for many alterations that had been carried out, our whole staff was involved in the build and the total hours involved calculated just over 7300 in a time scale of just 3 months, it was a battle against the clock but the result did workout perfect from top to bottom.
More pictures will appear over time.
The engine compartment when finished, with one of our high torque 3.4 engines fitted and up-rated cooling system and twin brake boosters and high located air filter (in order to be able crossing rivers) and stronger wiper motor and up rated heather system and so on.
This instrument panel was specially developed for the job, also there was a complete electronic spare system fitted, by problems the drivers were able to switch the system by turning a switch, this would provide a complete second electrical system including the battery and alternator, all was developed in the idea they could continuing driving what ever happened without a time loss, if you scroll down the picture you also can see the special one-off developed pedal box.
The sticker at the boot-lid being the route from Amsterdam to Beijing, in the hole at the top left was the main power cut off switch, the middle cap was the petrol filler, the chrome cover at the right was the differential breather, all located high for make it possible crossing the rivers.
This shows the final wheel pressure of each wheel, a very good result for an extremely difficult task with so much things needing to be fitted in the car.
Here the cylinder head just before assemble, fitted with new special guides and seats, it has highly altered ports and was fully flowed.
Here a part of our new custom made wiring.
Here the rear axle fully assembled, many alterations were done, also it was fitted with longer and thicker half shafts and 88% limited slip and electronic trigger for the speedo and bigger alloy cover with extra spacer to up-rate the oil capacity.
Reliable bigger four pot brake calipers were fitted with strong custom made discs.
In order to mount the engine fully level to the car we needed to rise the floor and clearing extra space in the chassis in order to free off the prop shaft.
Here balancing in progress of the crank and flywheel.
Here some alterations needing at the thermostat set-up of the car.
Checking if the ports are succes fully brought in line with the carbs after the alteration job.
A special stone guard was developed and fabricated from a extremely strong alloy material, also a front winch was fitted.
Also a rear winch was fitted.