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MOTRS

S-Type (1963)

1963-1968 / Sedan / United Kingdom

All S-Type (1963) problems All workshop issues
Minor Electrical

Lucas electrics, general failure

Symptoms

Random failures of lights, indicators, wipers, gauges, starter motor, charging system. Intermittent faults that defy diagnosis. Components that work when tested but fail on the road.

Cause

Lucas was the sole supplier of electrical components to British car manufacturers. Their products were acceptable when new but aged poorly. Bullet connectors corrode, earth points go resistive, wiring insulation becomes brittle and cracks, switches wear internally. Decades of bodge repairs compound every problem.

Fix

Systematic approach: clean every earth point, replace corroded connectors, test every circuit, replace failed components.

A complete rewire with a modern harness (Autosparks, YNZ) is the definitive solution, $3,000-5,000 AUD for the loom plus installation.

It transforms the car's reliability.

Cost mentioned in fix
$3,000-5,000

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Other known issues

Common Electrical

Generator/alternator and voltage regulator failure

Battery goes flat, warning light stays on, instruments dim at idle.
Common Electrical

Ignition system problems

Misfiring, hard starting, poor running at certain RPMs, engine cutting out.
Minor Bodywork and Rust

Structural floor pan corrosion

Floor pans rot through, usually starting from the inside where moisture sits under the carpet and sound deadening. The car loses rigidity, doors stop closing properly, scuttle shake increases, the windscreen cracks.
Minor Bodywork and Rust

Sill corrosion (inner and outer)

Sills collapse, doors sag, the car visibly droops in the middle. Outer sills may look fine while the inner sections are completely gone.
Minor Bodywork and Rust

Bonnet corrosion and distortion

The enormous forward-hinged bonnet develops rust in its seams, inner structure, and around the headlight openings. It can also distort if the car has been jacked incorrectly or been in a minor shunt.
Common Bodywork and Rust

Boot floor and rear end corrosion

The boot floor rots, the spare wheel well fills with water, and corrosion spreads to the rear inner wings and battery tray area.
View all 24 S-Type (1963) problems