Here I post some photos of the restoration work done on my X300.
Story goes like that: This is a Norwegian registered Jag. It has been exposed to harsh winter conditions and salt loaded roads and consequently developed some rust problems. Although not making much economical sense, I decided to give it a good overhaul in a specialist garage. Of course, rust damage extended to much more than the visible area, but I also took the opportunity to change all possible wear parts (shocks, springs, bushings, ball joints, etc). Crossbeam member was also replaced, as the existing one had too much rust damage. Special care was taken in all that related to corrosion protection: Wax was injected in all possible orifices, bolts and nuts were zinc treated and Tectyl 506 was applied as last layer.
Parts were sourced mostly from UK, but also from Portugal and Switzerland.
The repair took almost 2 months, without many interruptions.
Well, it is needless to say that works have extended much more than planned, but I’m quite pleased with the outcome. I leave here some photos for you to judge by yourself.

 

Repairs done

 

Some more photos.

 

Work mostly done!

 

Leather care tentative: Worked so-so.

 

And the final touch: A new British Autowoods gear knob :-)

 

Special thanks to this forum, which provided me most answers, and to all that helped (in the forum and elsewhere).

 

Great work Kleman.

 

Fantastic job. Your dedication and the lengths you have gone to is commendable against all the economic odds for keeping one of these cars on the road. We are very fortunate that rust and body rot is comparatively non-existent in our part of the world and is generally more superficial when it does occur. We don't fully appreciate what challenges it presents in other regions. This project undertaking is amazing!

 

A lot of work and a fantastic job. Well done for giving your Jag a new lease of life. Hats off to you.

 

Wow well done! Nice to see such attention to detail with one of these cars, excellent!

 

Great job, I'm almost done with mine, or the shop is, I'm just paying. I did get a British Autowood knob as well, great minds think alike. If they didn't do it, you should also look at the long steel brake lines that go from from front to back. I live in Boston and one of them rotted out this year from all the winters. Fortunately it happened in a parking lot, so it wasn't too exciting when the pedal went to the floor.

 

As soon as I saw the photo of the front crossbeam I thought it would be a problem. The seams let in water which then rots them from the inside.

Great job!

Graham

 

Brake lines must have been done before my ownership, as they are replaced by what looks like copper pipeline (actually, not a very nice job, but well… they look like new).

Great minds think alike indeed! Judging by your avatar, do you also like watches? Don´t tell me that you also like fountain pens and that you found someone to offer the BA gear knob for Christmas! LOL.

It would be great if you could share some photos of the works in your Jag.

For me, it was an interesting project, as I was very involved on the activities. In total, I have more than 1000 photos detailing all that was done.

 

Hi Graham,
Thanks.
Interestingly, to the point of your remark, the old crossbeam was PU filled. I’m not certain if it is original or if done at some point in time. Obviously, I did not want to find if the new one is also PU filled.
Regards,
Jorge

 

Jorge,

I found the same the first time I went to repair one! The very early ones didn't have the fill but it was soon specified by the factory to reduce noise transmission.

Graham

 

Whoa how did you know:-) yes on watches and fountain pens, although I will probably change the watch now that the Jag is presentable. I had a few pictures already under another post called New Paint and will update that.

 

Great work saving what to most people was likely considered a financial write-off!

 

great work!

happy to see an x300 being saved

 

In my quest to bring back the X300 to as new condition… Steering wheel was somewhat used and I found a brand new one in ebay decently priced.
What is missing to be nearly spotless?

• Refurbish the wheels. They are not bad, but since I’m at it… If I’m able to find some center caps, I may be replacing them as well.
• Replace the bulb on the third stop light (aftermarket, but quite ok) by a red led bulb. It is ordered. The actual one is clear color and becomes too bright.
• Repair small oil leak. It is a small crack in the sump, at the drainage bolt location. I’ll try with the “welding paste” on the next oil change.
• Passenger side window way too slow, nearly stopping on its way up. I’m not certain what can be done. All is tight and fit. Replace the motor, perhaps? I have to check here in the forum if others had the same problem.
• And the dashboard clock, which obviously is not functioning. I’m considering leaving it as it is, as I don’t want to risk sending it to repair.