JVC 625E Preproduction Stiletto

[Richard Claydon]

You may have spotted this one in this month's Impressions. JVC 625E is a preproduction Stiletto built in late May and registered on 5th June 1967. This was four months before the official launch of the model in October 67. It's one of a batch of 17 that were built at the same time.

It's currently the oldest Stiletto known to the Club

As you may know VC was the area code used for Coventry and some of the works cars wear the JVC prefix.

The car is metallic turquoise with a black interior.

I've bought it from the son of a gent who acquired it in 1987. It's been off the road since 88.

I've not actually seen it in the flesh at the moment as I don't collect it until Saturday. It apparently comes with paper work including some history. I'll update this when I know more.

Conditionwise it's gonna need a full restoration with work in all the usual areas but I've been assured the roof pillars are good. Most importantly it's very original and unmolested.

Plan is to give it to Clark for him to work his magic on.



















More soon

Rich

[impmann]

A request: please, please, please, please, please keep the original number plates and don't buy modern black n silvers (with the incorrect rectangular rear plate). It looks so much better for being original.

Looks superb - good luck.

[Richard Claydon]

A request: please, please, please, please, please keep the original number plates and don't buy modern black n silvers (with the incorrect rectangular rear plate). It looks so much better for being original.

Looks superb - good luck.

Ok

[daysineuropa]

Rich,

Superb!

Can you please take as many pictures as possible of the as-is state? Interior shots would be very much appreciated.

I have found that many attempts I have made to retain original appearance were fouled by me copying what DPO bodged during previous restorations.

I was horrified to see the ugly panel joins on the rear panel. They had been filled when I got my car and we did the same.

Congrats on a great find. The world needs more Stilettos on the road

Cheers,
Mark

[glenzierfoot]

At this moment the number plates would be the last thing on my mined but i look forward to doing a restoration on her as she looks very straight forward and complete, as you know i hate doing cars that have been p i ssed about with.

[bazzateer]

You're really going to hate LNK when I finally get around to having him restored then!

[glenzierfoot]

You're really going to hate LNK when I finally get around to having him restored then!

Why there all the same there only tin boxes they all fix it's just people i can't fix

[Richard Claydon]

Rich,

Superb!

Can you please take as many pictures as possible of the as-is state? Interior shots would be very much appreciated.

I have found that many attempts I have made to retain original appearance were fouled by me copying what DPO bodged during previous restorations.

I was horrified to see the ugly panel joins on the rear panel. They had been filled when I got my car and we did the same.

Congrats on a great find. The world needs more Stilettos on the road

Cheers,
Mark

Yep will do Mark. Do you want me to do you a disk??

Rich

[impmann]

Sorry I mentioned the plates now...

And Clark is right... there are more important things to consider right now.

[Richard Claydon]

Yep I'm gonna prune the posts so the thread concentrates on the car!!

Cheers

Rich

[The Nun]

With the car being pre production did it have the 301 series stainless strip along the top edge of the sill originally I wondered?

[67cali]

With the car being pre production did it have the 301 series stainless strip along the top edge of the sill originally I wondered?

This is the trouble daysineurope could have by copying from photos of this car as it may have differences that were changed for the production model.

[ImpManiac]

As discussed the other day, Rich, fabulous purchase! It will be amazing to see the car come together.

IM

[The Nun]

Of course also its not unknown for a pre production prototype to have a different trim/look as regards trim finishers, chrome strips etc different on one side of the car to the other, would make the car look weird but if thats how it was then thats how they should stay.

[Richard Claydon]

It's home and in my unit. Popped it into Clark and it is definitely restorable.

Immediately spotted differences were different sun visors and a polished aluminium steering wheel boss. The intake tube for the air filter box is different too and has a small threaded boss let into it.

Stiletto side badges, two of, have red script and not black.

Sure we might find a few other bits once we start to look.



Cheers

Rich

[bazzateer]

You had a good run then?

[Richard Claydon]

Yep. Over 1100 miles in 2 days.

[Richard Claydon]

[bks974c]

The screw fitting on the air filter intake looks like it might have been for a sensor if it had been used for testing as it is a preproduction car -possibly air temp.

Scott

[Grahame59]

I wonder if the STILETTO lettering on the rear wing badges was red on this early example (and subsequently changed to black once production proper started) or if it was simply an owner 'improvement'. Bearing in mind the amazing untampered with condition of the car I feel the former is more likely.

Having said that the car is untampered with, I still can't believe someone would nail that hideous black oversized mirror to the bonnet, stand back, and say, 'Yep, another little job done'!

[Grahame59]

Rich,

You may need to change the title of the thread - 625E not 425E!

[Richard Claydon]

Thanks Grahame