[Eric in the Ozarks]

The truly incredible thing about all this is, it was discovered by Tommy Daniels of Universal Motors of Des Moines, IA (and perhaps simultaneously by others.)
Tommy had a little shop near the Fairgrounds and would do Jags, Ferarris and anything else no one wanted to deal with. His typical "Jaguar starting kit," consisted of a Pontiac voltage regulator, a Cadillac Delcotron alternator and the Mallory distributor.
For heat, he built his own radiator blinds which were little roll-up assemblies in front of the radiator with a cable running through the firewall. I could actually drive my '66 E Type in January without Sorel boots.
Tommy died about three years ago and there was a small notice in the Register but no good story about him. He was a marvel but never in a hurry.
He had a low mileage 2+2 E and a 1951 XK 120 coupe when he passed.

[Neidermeyer]

What year did Jaguar stop using shellac’d cotton as their wire coating... I know Triumph used it until 1980 as I saw a TR-6 burn up from that although I think the TR-7&8 had proper plastic insulated wire.