The Triple C Challenger

“The Triple C company produced the Challenger S1 E-type roadster replica from 1984 for around 6-7 years, initially using Ford or Rover running gear before revising the design to use almost entirely Jaguar XJ6 parts for a truly accurate replica.”

Fibreglass body moulded off original Jaguar XKE S1 roadster.
Galvanized space frame chassis utilizing XJ6 running gear, brakes, etc.
Body bonded to frame and painted in England, hence not a “kit”.
Utilizes numerous original Jaguar XKE parts.
Approximately 300 cars made, this car is one of the two known in the U.S.A.

History
Original owner (Overseas Imports, Falls Church, VA a jaguar repair shop) ordered 2 kits (one more complete than the other) in October 1989
Both cars arrive in Baltimore in July 1990 and were not allowed in U.S.
Headlights changed to open style to allow importation (original headlights smashed and cars sent to Canada for disassembly).
Cars finally allowed into the U.S. and than an “18 months build time”. Car registered in 2000.
I purchased car in May 2005 from original builder in Jacksonville, FL and had it home 48 hours after finding car on the Challenger website www.challenger-owners-club.co.uk.
Car was complete, but not finished and is still not done (never will be according to my son).
Registered as 1972 Jaguar Convertible, “assembled kit”.
Challenger XKE =       2,548 lb., 180Hp, 230 ft/lb. torque (estimated)
Original S1 XKE =       +/- 2,500 lb., 265HP, 260 ft/lb. torque, SII XKE = 265HP, 285ft/lb.
Original S1/SII XJ6 =   +/- 4,000 lb., 170Hp, 223 ft/lb. torque

Specifications
Chassis:         Galvanized space frame, Triple C Mark IV
Donor:            Various years of Jaguar XJ6 + S1 XKE
Engine:           Rebuilt 1978 Jaguar XJ6, standard 8:1 compression, gear reduction starter
Carburation:   Original XJ6 fuel injected, converted to dual Zenith- Strombergs
Transmission: originally Rebuilt Borg Warner Model 66 automatic, now XKE synchro 2+2, long tail shaft 4-speed
Front Susp.:    Modified XJ6, QA1 adjustable coil-overs: 10''L. x 2.5’’ diam., 450 # springs
Rear End:        Non-posi shortened Jaguar XJ6 rear with 3.54 gears, adjustable 275# quad shocks and springs
                        made by Classic Jaguar (bought previously owned on ebay)
Brakes:            XJ6 ventilated front disks, solid inboard rear disks
Exhaust:          Stainless steel custom Challenger exhaust with chrome XKE rear resonators
Rims:                Jaguar XK8 (repainted by me!!), 17’’x8’’, 1/8’’ front spacers
Tires:                Goodyear 225/45ZR-17 Eagle F1 GS-D3 uni-directional
Wiring:             Triple C had a custom harness made for the Challenger, slightly modified now
Radiator:          Jaguar XJ6 originally, now Ron Davis aluminum with twin puller fans.
Instruments:    Jaguar XJ6
Seats:              Mazda Miata Mk.1 seats (Challenger frame does not leave much room for seats).
Dashboard:      Dashboard modified from original Challenger dash utilizing modified 1963 XKE
                        steel parts on left, XJ6 wood tilt-down instrument panel center, and custom aluminum glove box
                        designed after SI XKE on right, all covered in carbon fibre. Dash top to be black leather in the
                        future. Original S1 choke levers.
Headlights:      Modern Hella H4 ECE with city lights (DRL).