Hi all,
Joining your forum prior to buying a Jag in order to get some advice, encouragement, dissent, warnings, and overall guidance.

A little about me: I older but not too old, I own a minivan (don't hate me until you've had one). I learned to drive in an XK120 or 140, can't remember which. My daily driver is a pristine 2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Oh, and I also have a Honda XR650R which is a supermoto bike. I like to design and build stuff, and I like to play with motorized toys "Up North" in Michigan.

So what the hell am I doing on the Jag forum you are probably thinking to yourself? I want to build a replica Pre-War style Grand Prix or Indy car such as a Bugatti Type 35 or a Miller Indy racer. I have always loved the look of the Jaguar straight six (going back to how I learned to dirve - that engine was awesome with the polished aluminum valve covers!) I am thinking that a 70's or 80's XJ6 might make a good starting point for my project. Basically, take the rolling chassis and build a new body for it. My logic being that it has the cool straight six, with decent brakes and suspension, and oh yeah - the rusty ones are cheap! That last point being pretty important.

So, my questions to all the Jaguaratti out there:

1. The XJ's do have a separate frame I was told, i.e., not a unibody?
2. Can I fit the older style valve covers to the newer engines? I have to have that look that the XK cars had but can't afford one and wouldn't want to butcher it if I could.
3. Is there a different model that would work better?
4. Which of the XJ's should I look for or avoid? Models? Years?

Is there any other general guidance you could suggest besides seeing a specialist or just pounding my head against a wall cause it would be easier?

Cheers,
Looking forward to talking,
Gadabout

PS: Planning to take my Jagatti out onto the back roads of Michigan and drive the crap out of it.

 

Hello,
About the title of your thread; Many of us here have several screws loose so you'll be in good company.
Many of us have also pounded our heads against a wall doing things the hard way when we didn't know different.

I think your idea sounds like a Lot of fun, and you'll probably have One-Of-A-Kind when you finish.

I drove a mini-van for a few years, Against my will and I Hated it, so I understand how circumstances can take you by surprise. No one here will hold that against you.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...s-i-ii-iii-16/ is the section you'll probably want.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Welcome aboard.

 

Elinor, Jim,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to learning a lot and making new friends.

Doug

 

Welcome. Good deal on the loose screws. It helps keep you more open minded. Look up a user called Ivanhoe in the xj40 section. he built a straight 12. Theres your motivation. I cant answer for the separate frame idea, but my old S-type is a unibody so I am inclined to doubt it.

 

Hey Michigan buddy

I have been a Jaguar nut since the late '70s and owned just about any model from the mid-sixties on to my latest addition 2009 Portfolio (i am still in S.E. Michigan)
so 1st the best XJ6 made was 1986 & 1987, typical of Jag of that time when they finally got it all together they launched the new XJ40 disaster in 1988
as a factory trained and practiced I have seen the evolution of the xj6 from series I to ser. II and to the ser. III and nothing was worst than in the early '70s when all British industries turned the worst quality workmanship in every imaginable area of the car
the XJ6 is a unibody car so forget about trying t use its frame for a body kit
the Chrome valve covers were used on the early version engines 3.4 & 3.8 and can't be used on the 4.2 heads
However, the XJ series suspension and braking design was and still is one of the best for a touring sedan so if you find a none rusted ser. III (good luck...) you can get the complete experience of one of the greatest sedans of its time

 

Welcome to the Forums.

Good luck, many more screws will loosen I reckon.

 

Hello,
Be very careful, I had a spell of madness two years ago bought a 97 3.2 X300.
Thought I had got over it the tablets are working well then a 94 4.0 Sovereign X300 pops up on eBay.
I now have the pair.
The bug bites you get caught and you can`t walk away from these fine cars.
Welcome and enjoy.
John.

 

Welcome to the forums.

 

Welcome to our addiction. Loose screws are all over this forum.

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!!

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums Gadabout,
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

 

Jerry,

That Ivanhoe guy with the straight 12 sounds like just the kind of crazy I would like. Can't seem to find him when I search the XJ40 forum though? What timeframe was that in?

All4Jags,

Thanks for the tip on the '86/'87 models. I'll start watching the classifieds.

Doug

 

I'm thinking I need to move this discussion over to the XJ6 thread since that is what I am most interested in. Is there a way to link back to this thread, or better just to start fresh over there?

Also, was the XJ6 series ever offered with a manual transmission, as I would prefer a manual for my project.

Thanks,
Doug

 

Sorry, I spelled it wrong, should be Ivanhoew. It was last year.

 

Jerry,

Thanks for the update!