Hi folks, so after lurking about a bit, I finally decided to join up. I'm currently involved with (hey, it IS a relationship, right?) the above-mentioned car, after 30 years of missing having one in my life. I'm a SoCal native that moved down here to Costa Rica in '93, after closing a successful British motorcycle repair/restoration shop I owned since 1982, and during that period I had two different series 1 cars, both of which were dependable daily drivers....everything from daily running around, to cross-country blasts to regular surf trips up and down the California coast - I have always used these cars, and drive them hard but properly, if that makes any sense.

Short family history...

My parents raced sports cars when I was a small child, my dad also being a respected mechanic, and funny enough it was my mom who was the standout driver. They ran an MGTD, which soon became mostly driven by my dad, as mom started getting other cars offered to her to drive - AC Bristol, an RSK 550 Porsche Spyder and a '49 Talbot T26 GP car being just a few. My folks were involved with Otto Zipper from Hollywood Sports Cars, and counted Phil Hill, Ritchie Ginther and Ken Miles as pals. Dad also had a bike repair shop, which doubtless contributed to my interest in old Brit iron.

During all this I was in the single-digits age-wise, but even still, the car and bike bug bit hard, and the smell of Castrol R and avgas, coupled with old leather was more than enough to make me a gearhead for life.

As mentioned earlier, 30 years ago I moved to Costa Rica. However, I'm up in the L.A. area often, a fair bit more lately as my wife and I are looking for a spot up there to spend some time at, and I bought the '73 car with this in mind. I purchased the car in Oceanside Ca. last June, and drove it daily for a month, all the while repairing and sorting a number of fairly minor issues. The car had been converted to what is essentially a home-market car by the PO a few years back, having been fitted with a 4-speed (with overdrive), a UK-spec head fitted with a pr. of SU HD8's and, a not-so-factory-like set of Dayton wire wheels. It also appears that the entire car has been recently gone thru, as the front end, brakes, IRS and diff all appear to be in top nick...the car runs, stops and handles quite well.

After a month of driving the car, the only real issue I found with it was high oil consumption, which then lead to just a hint of higher running temp, which lead to the discovery that (not surprisingly) all 6 pots showed cracks in the liners, so it's now being seen to by Bob Cutler in Pasadena, a very reputable Jag guy.

I have read many, many posts here specific to these cars, and have already learned quite a bit. I've also learned of a number of places and individuals that many here deemed worthy of recommendation, and I thank you for this.

So here's to learning even more!

Chris

Oh, and here's a few pics of the car...

 

Welcome to the Forums.

 

Thank you sir!

 

Best year, I’m not biased.

 

Welcome to the forums Chris,

Good to have you with us.

If you haven't found it already, follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...s-i-ii-iii-16/ to the XJ6 & XJ12 Series I, II & III forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues. You can also use the US Western Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/us-western-38/ to find other members in your second region.

Please read the guidance for new members ( https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/n...ned-up-241802/ ) which answers many of the most frequent questions about getting started.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums Chris,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

Hello, Chris,
That is One Fine Specimen of a well looked after (outside anyway) Classic Jaguar! And its RED!! (my second favorite after BLACK)
I'll look for you over in our Xj6 Series section where GGG has directed you.

Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Thanks mate, and yup, I've been soaking up all the XJ-specific info I can!

 

Thanks a bunch Elinor. Yeah, the car's pretty darn straight, and besides a handful of fairly minor issues that I've already seen to, I'm now just waiting for the machine shop to install the new liners so my mechanic can bang it back together.

...and yes, Regency Red is a great color. Black, silver and BRG are, imo of course, the other three acceptable options for an XJ.

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!!!

 

Welcome aboard Chris.