Looking for any feedback or info on Jaguar XJ13 replica builds

 

This inquiry has induced me to finally come out of the closet to reveal that I am in the last stages of an XJ13 replica build project. I have zero aptitude or ability so have commissioned all work to be completed for me by some very talented gentlemen, as described below.

I waited till now to make mention of this project since I wanted to have something to actually share apart from merely my pipe dreams. But we are getting pretty close to having a real car to show the world, so I am joining this thread now to let anyone interested see what we have so far. I'll continue to update as we reach new milestones.

The car is being built by Fran Hall of Race Car Replicas in the Detroit area. Fran has extensive experience in replica production and also builds his own race car designs. He started the XJ13 for me last year and the basic shape of the car is now visible. He has used a fiberglass body over a reinforced aluminum monocoque chassis.

The car will be left-hand drive and will be finished as a road car, not a racer (i.e., a finished interior cabin with carpets, door panels, etc.). From the exterior, however, it will look pretty much like the original XJ13 with a slight alteration of the body color. I attached a couple shots here but Fran may want to add more if available.

The magnificent engine has just been completed by Fran Olsen of Fox Engineering in North Carolina. (I know: two "Fran's"; how likely is that?!?). After much hemming and hawing, I decided to have a Jag V-12 produced for the project instead of throwing in a far less costly crate GM motor. In the interest of greater authenticity and given the fact that the bay is always on display with this car, true Jag hardware became a must. Fortunately I found Fran, who was beyond enthusiastic for the project.

He created a bespoke EFI system (Fox specializes in EFI for high performance and race applications), built custom velocity stacks and intake system, reworked the cam covers to match, and did a million other things for the fuel delivery that are way beyond my level of comprehension. He then mated it all up to a completely rebuild V-12 engine sourced from an XJS. A separate thread on this forum has more detail as well as videos and pix by Fran showing the running machine. See:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-95447/page19/

Hopefully the photos will upload here someplace so you can see what we are talking about. Suffice it to say I am extremely excited to see this project getting close to the end. We don't have a finish date but as you can see we are well under way now. I'll post again when there is more to share.

Scott

 

That's magnificent...thanks for revealing your incredible project!

 

That looks awesome! Have you found a source for those lovely rims? Todd

 

Race Car Replicas supplies good looking rims with the kit. Not exact copies but close in spirit. I can send photos or post but not till I am back at my computer in a couple weeks.

 

An enormously interesting website devoted to the building of the ultimate XJ13 replica:
Jaguar XJ13 - Building the Legend

 

Well, we last reported status in late 2014 as being in the "end stage" of this project, but you know how things go....

Anyway, Fox Engineering has supplied a beautiful rebuilt XJS 12-cylinder engine and bespoke FI system and Race Car Replicas is finishing the overall construction of the car. It is looking mighty fine at this point and needs just a bit more interior work, etc. and it should be ready to roll.

There was a previous question about the rims. Shown here is the final product: a set of billet spoke wheels bolted (not welded) to 15" hoops, then coated--all created and produced by RCR. Smashing to my eye.

Car will eventually live in northern CA for those interested. Hopefully I'll find some local shows that will allow a "recreation" to grace their lawn next summer.....

So here are some shots, if I can figure out these zany-*** websites are supposed to work (no guarantees guys....):

Regards,

Scott

 

Excellent, great work.

 

<p>wow - excellent job!!!!</p>

 

Nice job Scott :-)

 

Thanks Neville.

We're getting very close now. I hope to post a clip to YouTube soon of the first fire with the engine in the car. Too large a file to add here alas.

Anyway, it's taken quite a bit of doing to get to this point, I'm told, but at this point it's looking good....! Thx all for you interest. More soon.....

Scott

 

Great job, the car looks fantastic!

There is a finished replica for sale down here at the moment, asking price well north of $600k Aussie dollars Jaguar XJ13 Replica 1986 in SA | eBay so I can only imagine how much has been invested in your build...

If you have videos on YouTube we can embed them here, just post up the links.

 

Looks like listing in OZ you mentioned is gone--couldn't find it just now. Link seems to be old or something.

Anyway, I managed to get my latest video onto YouTube, in case anyone wants to see present condition:


TTFN,

Scott

 

Thanks for the video!

Sounds great! (once it got started ) and the engineering that's gone into the car is visible just in that short video, it's very impressive.

The ebay listing for the other car is still up (link works for me?) but to be honest the pictures aren't that great so there is not as much to see compared to your pics & video.

Which transaxle you are running?

 

Enjoyed the video Scott - thanks.
Have you driven it yet?

 

Tranny is a Porsche G50.

I have not had an opportunity to drive the car--it's being completed at Race Car Replicas in the Detroit area and I won't get my hands on it till it reaches California, which will hopefully be soon!

Tried the OZ link again; got this error message:

 

Finally found it here (had to start with ebay AU site):

Jaguar XJ13 Replica 1986 in SA | eBay

Pretty crazy price!

 

Yup - price is optimistic for that particular replica.

 

It's aluminum bodied apparently, and has what sounds like some of the few OEM parts in existence (windscreen & rims). But any replica is just, well, a replica. That said, I hope they bid it up to $1M.

Speaking of rims, there was a question previously on this, so here is what we've got going:

 

I am afraid their comment about "original XJ13 windscreen and rims" is nonsense and rather misleading. It is possible they bought some windscreens from Pilkingtons in the UK which were made using the original tooling. If so, they have me to thanks as it was me who prompted Pilkingtons to rediscover them! They were eventually found at their St Helens plant. I wrote a bit about it on my blog here - Triplex Laminated Windsceen Anyone can buy a windscreen from them but it is important to be aware the original screen was asymmetrical left-to-right. Not by a lot but enough to make fitment a problem if your opening is symmetrical.

Jaguar weren't aware the tooling had survived when they rebuilt the original in 1972/73. Their car wears a rather poorly-fitting plastic (acrylic) screen to this day.

The wheels on the Australian replica definitely didn't come from Jaguar.

Your wheels look excellent Scott :-)