I'm sure not new to Jaguar but I'm new here for sure, wish I was new in so many other ways but alas there are more years behind than ahead now.

I found this place whilst trying to get information about a new cat - a 1987 XJS V12 HE Coupe. My daily driver is an 08 XF SV8 and has been for a few years now so like I said not new to big cats.

So why here now ?

Well the XF is kind of easy to live with, plenty of information around, mostly consistent, easy enough to work on if you pay attention and study before diving in, so I'm researching some engine work that I keep putting off and I spot an ad for an XJS, an XJS at a price that triggered a double take, reached out to the owner, did some digging re XJS prices and bought it almost sight unseen - I say almost I did go to view but my mind was already set (yes I can be somewhat stupid). The car hadn't turned a wheel in 17 years, had been at the back of a farmers store since 2003 as the cars owner (a relative of the farmer) passed away, farmer decides the space is needed in 2020 and puts said car up for sale, I won't repeat the price but lets say that I've seen higher mile older cars go for twice as much, some with similar miles for significantly more than that.

So a bit of a wash and polish followed by a battery, new fuel pump and filter, check the basics and wouldn't ya know - it runs and drives, pretty much faultlessly, car has been Waxoyled from new so there is some rust but nothing really bad, most of the bad is up top - clearly the car was not only in storage but was also a shelf, nothing of any consequence other than scratches, a small dent but easily repaired using paintless dent repair methods.

Got the car home (on a trailer - I'm not THAT stupid) and start the process of ordering stuff to 'recommission' the car - and that is when the fun started - tracking down parts and identifying exactly which numbers are correct for the car given that a large portion of the Jaguar catalogue is now obsolete and unavailable, most OEM suppliers only quote for the convertible and then the chassis numbers are too new. Simply identifying the appropriate parts is harder than working on the car.

Then I found a really nice PDF about recommissioning an XJS by a member here (Grant Francis) and a lot of the recommendations in that document I am following (and a good few I hadn't even considered) - juat finding the parts to follow fully is going to take an eternity.

Anyhow that is why I am here, I'll try not to annoy any one.

 

Welcome aboard Ben.

 

Welcome, I did a similar thing with mine last fall minus the starting up part.... its a work in progress.

 

Hello,
Congratulations on your Latest Jaguar!
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Welcome to the forums BenKenobi,

Good to have you with us.

You've obviously found your way to the XJS forum so there's no need for a link to it from me. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues. You can also use the UK & Eire Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/uk-eire-68/ to find other members in your region.

Please add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome to the Forums.

That is a find and a half, and you will enjoy it, you know you will.

Good luck

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums BenKenobi,

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

 

Going to be spending some time here I think for sure, I've tended to loiter around in places where most of the members don't do DIY beyond the occasional wash. I do need to moderate intent a little, there are so many things that I'd 'like' to do to the XJS but that is the OCD chasing perfection, I need to limit attention to those items necessary to get a UK MOT so I can at least drive the car. Once I've done that I will set aside projects to do - refurb the rear axle / cage, refurb the front crossmember etc, once it is mechanically sorted I plan to work on the cosmetics but I may end up seeking a pro for some of that work simply due to the space I don't have ...

I'm no stranger to classic cars, I am so tempted to start buying spares which although difficult now will be a nightmare in 10 to 20 years (if I'm around that long). I need to replace the window rubbers on the 1977 Reliant Kitten that I own but the only way to do that is have the profile manufactured - a significant budget needed for that I can assure you.

Thermostats for the XJS I've already had to buy from the USA .... £20 each here, £4.95 each in the USA ... (Gates 33188S) ... applied Grant's advice. Unfortunately the Stralian suppliers are pretty creative when it comes to shipping, like not combining shipping and charging per item, this may not sound like an issue but when HMRC charge tax even on shipping costs it can make things stupidly expensive. I also found a site describing a similar issue on E-Types and it has a neat table at the end, it also reviews consistency and standards of various suppliers E-Type V12 - Thermostat assessment

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!!

 

Welcome to the forums.