Please Buy This LT1-Swapped Jaguar XJ6 So I Don’t Have To
For a buyer not overly concerned with originality, this classic Jaguar XJ6 looks like an absolute steal.
If you’re anything like me, you spend way too much time browsing car listings. It’s an occupational hazard, and if nothing else, a fun way to kill time. But every once in a while, I stumble across a listing that yanks hard on my heartstrings, like this 1974 Jaguar XJ6 L in Bellingham, Washington. Ladies and gentlemen, I want this baby so bad it hurts a little bit, and it’s only a couple of hours up the road. Honestly, if I hadn’t just dropped a whole bunch of money on my lovely Triumph Bonneville, this post wouldn’t be about a car listing — I’d be writing about my new Jaguar.
Importantly, it’s a lump, as the original inline-six has been swapped for an LT1 V8 from a 1995 Camaro. And while this mill might not have the street cred that the legendary LS motor does, it’s a powerful engine with a robust aftermarket and a reputation for reliability. Plus, unlike the 350 small block that was in my 1978 XJ6 L, it’s fuel injected, which works nicely with my recent promise to never again own anything with a carburetor. Because those things are witchcraft and I don’t want to deal with them ever again.
Along with the gorgeously restored ox blood interior, the car features a laundry list of new parts, including all six shocks, motor mounts, transmission mounts, ball joints, tie rods, and rack bushings. The braking system — including the pesky inboard discs at the rear — has also be gone through, and the radiator, drive shaft, and u-joints are new as well. In the listing, the current owner says that over $20,000 has been invested in this project, and from looking at the pics, I don’t doubt it.
Of course, it’s not perfect. There’s a small rust hole over the rear fender, and given all the rot I discovered when I started poking around my Jag, I’d like to get a professional assessment to see just how widespread it is. The passenger-side tank has also been disconnected due to a leak, and the rear doors don’t open. According to the seller, that’s due to an issue with the child locks, which I honestly don’t remember my XJ having. Maybe someone can refresh my memory?
The asking price is just $6,000, but given everything that’s been done here, that sounds like a steal. Because while it might not be a show car, with a little TLC, this could be a great daily driver, assuming you don’t care about the less-than-optimal miles per gallon you’re sure to get. But what do you think? Am I an idiot for not jumping at this baby? Or do you think there are better examples for the money out there? Hit me up and let me know!
Photos: Craigslist