Yes! What is the going solution for this? ( I think this issue deserves it's own thread! :-D )

 

Oh no, please. It's one of the perks and joys of driving open air, to be able to enjoy a nice Cuban, which for some reason seems to be even more enjoyable while driving this magnificent open air beauty. Even the wife, too, enjoys a classy stogie once in a while on her side, meaning that both ashtrays need to STAY (bad manners to use the street as an ashtray).

Cup holders? No prob, I have three of them without sacrificing a single ashtray.

Cheers,

 

I'd like one that keeps fluids that are supposed to be inside the car inside, i.e oil and power steering oil, and fluids that are supposed to stay outside the car outside i.e. rain.

As mentioned effective HVAC would be great, as well as more headroom. Rearward visibility is awful too, so a backup camera would be nice.

 

This is one very nice looking interior!

 

The 6.0 cars with the 4 speed automatic have a 3.54 rear axle ratio. I believe the 4.0 AJ16 engined cars had the same ratio.

 

If a person drove only an XJS, then the rather large turning circle would probably be perceived as normal. But when you keep switching cars (I do with my XJR and the wife's little Z3) then you tend to notice it more, especially right after you've driven the Z3 go-kart...

Special sound? Now you're talking, OB. I typically prefer to have a nice sound system and, since the XJS never offered such a thing, it was one of the first things that I upgraded on it. In fact, it was so early (16 years ago) that it is by now getting dated and missing some of today's awesome features.

This "ideal XJS" ICE would have all the modern wireless connectivity to smart phones, to download just about anything you desire. A very generous, integral, music and video storage (500 GB today is like nothing anymore) with a 10" TFT auto-hiding and HD display, plus a superb digital sound processor and well tuned amps, speakers and (powerful) sub woofer system. Perhaps an on-board pc with an auto-hide keyboard an in-dash printer and 24/7 internet, etc.

Where can I go to order one of these cars...LOL?

BTW, did you say that you used to have an XJR in..."screaming green"? is that by any chance as in BRG? Why? Because I looked for a BRG XJR for so long when I was shopping for a low-miles and in factory warranty XJR to replace my old BRG XJ8L and could never find one, so I bought my Zircon blue XJR, which is nice, but it's just not a BRG like my old XJ8L or, better yet, like my XJS, ah hah!

Cheers,

 

Yes, and so did the 4.0L AJ6 engined cars, including outboard rear brakes.

Cheers,

 

Let me answer this a couple of different ways...

* When I think of updating a car, the one thing I won't consider is changing the motor. So assuming the 5.3 V12 in my car could pass modern emissions, it stays.

Therefore, here's my top 10 list of what I'd change:

1. Junk this friggin' transmission. I hate the GM400 in all its forms, in every car it was ever in, ever. Offer a row-it-yourself box and a mid-modern 4- or 5-speed automatic. You can keep your shift flippers, I'll be taking the stick.

2. Different rear-end gearing.

3. Total suspension re-do or at least the option to fit the car with a very flat, very firm suspension (deal with body flex while we're here). It doesn't even have to be adjustable. Just give me the factory option to have a real road performance car. This means larger tires/rims as well.

4. Modern braking system. I've had two XJSes now and I hate the factory brake feel on both.

5. Tighten the power assist steering up. My current XJS is better than my first one; my first one, I'd rather have had no power steering than what it came with.

6. A very simple HVAC system.

7. Better instrumentation. Speaking mostly of a fuel gauge that doesn't just give me its best guess, or gauges I can read after 7 p.m.

8. External fuel pump. Hate tank-mounted ones when they fail.

9. HUD or LED headlamps that retain the classic look/shape of the XJS's four round gov't-issued lights (i.e., no Euro-styled lights or modern fixtures that look like the Eyes of Lord Zoltan).

10. All-aluminum, high-efficiency, high-performance radiator. I just fitted an aftermarket version in my car and in the process, I no longer fear summer traffic.

Jess

 

Vacuum lines and all the various bits controlled come to mind.

 

I think that if the XJS had been designed with modern technology it would have a V12 engine with much more power. Improvements in engine design and fuel management would produce more power and better fuel economy. A modern multi speed transmission would provide a better driving experience. It's the twelve cylinder engine that gives the XJS it's identity as a luxury GT, so the XK8 wasn't really a replacement. Supercharged V6 and V8 engines can provide a lot of power but they don't deliver the mystique. That's one of the things that gives the Aston it's appeal. I think that usable, kid sized back seats are important too. A flush fitting, folding metal hardtop convertible would be nice too. I like the pre-facelift styling the best. Kind of hard to improve on that.

 

Oooh, Steve, touche. I would like one the same as now but re-engineered to modern standards, instrument quality, loom quality, and so on. But would I love it? probably not...


However, guys, and this is interesting, none of us has said, "Why not just buy a modern XK8"? Whereas in the 1960s, everyone would have said (on the Bakelite telephone naturally, having waited 7 days for a phone connection to Australia/USA etc etc) "Forget the XK150, buy an E Type". What that tells me is that modern cars have FAR less glamour/appeal/beauty/kerb appeal than the XJS.
Greg

 

I am not suggesting an Aston transplant OB, perish the thought. Just that with the same sort of pentroof 4 valve cylinder head that is on the 6 cylinder AJ6 engine, our beloved V12 would be about twice as powerful with far better economy. Getting it in is the problem. But the Aston V12 shows just what a difference a modern head makes. The Ford 2.5 litre V6 is an absolute stormer, and Aston by using two of them made a superb V12 engine.


That bloke Lutz, mentioned in another thread, will make you one for 50 or 60 Gs, so keep buying the lottery ticket!
Greg

 

Although having driven one, I would take a modern XK over an XJS any day if I could pick the keys of one or the other. Doing a "restomod" to an XJS is a different thing to consider.

 

Hi

Already quite a few Threads on this and lots of suitable Cup holders on ebay.

 

Hi

I keep spare Oil/Water/Spanners etc in the Cubby Box behind the Seat, a very useful addition to have in there.

 

Hi Reinaldo

She was 'Turquoise' a sort of 'Marmite' colour you either love or hate and She was a bit of an impulse buy, as She was open to offers and so I only bought her because She was a 'Bargain'

Although the longer I had her, the more that 'Turquoise' colour got on my nerves, so She had to go and I used the dough to by my 1995 XJS Celebration Convertible in Morocco Red. (a much nicer colour)

I.C.E. wise you really seem to have it all but my XJS Celebration, has got the Harmon Kardon and and even a built in Telephone as well.

Those interiors are really nice as well!

 

Hi Greg

Bang on with that comment, the XK8 just doesn't do it for me.

 

Hi Greg

Now you tell me!

I've just spent loads of money this morning on: Waxoyl/Battery/Engine Oil/Filter. The list goes on....

But if I do Win the Lottery, then I might treat you to an Aston Engine, if you help me put mine in.

 

Aston-style AJ6 headed Jaguar V12, OB, and it's a deal!
Greg

 

Having read all that I need a drink, oh no, I gave that up.

I would have my '85 as it was AFTER I spent all that time sorting most all of what has been said in here.

It is what it is, and that is an awesome CRUISER, and a traffic stopper in the city, and NOT because the damn thing "failed to proceed".

As Jess mentioned, that GM400 boat anchor would go. A 5 speed ZF of suitable torque spec would sit in there just nicely.

Power in mine was more than I needed.

The early seats, weeeeeell, maybe a touch up here and there.

Rearview issues, WHO CARES where ya been, look out the front, thats the bit that will bite ya at 160KPH.

OH yes, and a LEAPER, like the REAL S Type had. BIG and BOLD, and ANGRY.

Then I will need 2 new legs so I can bend and get in the damn thing, but then if that was possible, I would still have the Red Devil, and all that typing above would be pointless.