Hi everyone! I'm very new to this forum. The reason I joined is because I'm in contact with someone selling a 1973 Jaguar XJ6 Series I who would be willing to give it to me for $3,500CAD ($2,700USD). It has a 1989 3.4L I6 transplanted into it with 26,000km (16k miles), and the body, I'm assuming, has much more than that.

The body isn't in the best condition, and there is definitely quite a bit of rust underneath. The driver-side front floor is pretty much completely rusted, but I've found these guys here that could potentially fix that issue: Jaguar XJ6 and XJ12 Body Panels . The driver-side rear wheel well is rusted at the back and there is a small hole through it. The interior isn't great, and the picture that depicts a window with a reflection of leaves on the ground shows some patchy areas on the inner window sill. I'd be willing to make this car a project to learn on and hopefully restore it if it won't annihilate my wallet. Do you guys think this is worth it for a first car to learn on? I don't need a daily as I live in a city, and I'd learn to work on this in my garage.

 

 

I think that its a great deal for the price. As long as its not your daily driver. The one that I have has rust in those same places.

 

That is 3700 AUD, I'm not sure about your market. But for that money here I would be looking for one without rust.
The cost of bodywork will kill any budget you have to spend on restoring alone.
Mine was $2000 AUD, and now owes me about $10,000 without any body or interior work, just some mechanical work and catch up maintenance done and paintwork touched up. Plus few little cosmetic bits replaced along the way.
Where you can see rust there is usually a lot more hidden like an ice berg.

 

Thanks guys! Maybe this isn't the right first car for me then. I would not be looking to daily this, but I don't want something that'll be an endless money/time pit.

Unless anyone can convince me otherwise, I guess I should move on!

 

I'm with Clarke on this one mate, there's a lot you can do yourself that will be enjoyable and rewarding but unless you have some experience all that rust in the photos plus you say underneath and the drivers floor gone will totally blow your budget......I too am not familiar with your market but I picked up my series 2 in March for $2000 AUD with some issues but NO RUST. I waited 8 months to find the right one. I wish you the best of luck in whichever you decide!

 

You could go the other end of the scale and buy something very well sorted to begin with for a lot more money (as I did, by 3 fold). Even so, they all need some degree of fettling to get them exactly how you want, enough to provide some tinkering fun but hopefully with little (if any) extra outlay over the purchase price. My theory, still with its risks of course, was that if I buy something in poor condition I have no idea what it will ultimately cost me to sort out (= potential money pit), whereas I do have some idea up front with mine. And it suits me since I don't have the space or facilities for a major project.

The other factor is that your intention might be for the sheer hobby enjoyment of spending time and learning doing a fully restoration, especially since you're not looking for a daily driver. Maybe somewhere in the middle would be best for you, and as the guys have said, at least with a reasonably sound body. In view of the condition of your subject Series 1, IMO the asking price seems far from a bargain.

Cheers,

 

Cairn,
hold on tight to your money and put it towards something else, that car is not worth $500.00 US dollars in the condition it is. Remember you are buying someone else's problem. Walk away from it. For $2,500 you can get a nicer XJ-6.

 

I used to track what I was spending on my other car, and it just made me crazy (really? I spent that much). Now I just do whats required and focus on the enjoyment otherwise I will just scare myself

Good advice generally but especially for aspiring Jag owners , where it is so expensive to fix things.

I think a Jag would be a brilliant first car with a bit of support from this forum, you just need to find a solid body/chassis which is easier said than done in the northern US.

 

My series I looks exactly the same. Same amount of rust. I recently started taking it apart. Taking off the wings, doors etc... there is much more rust than I expected.

Nice project, but be prepared for work!

 

I keep a hard covered log book for every vehicle, down to every fastener. Not often that I have done the adding up part but this one I have.
It gives the next custodian good overview of their potential next purchase and a contact for every part I have bought, really helps when selling a vehicle. Nearly good as a service log book for potential buyers.
I replaced an 80c grommet in my daughters Jazz today,that is logged in the book for her car along with the set of new tyres and wheel alignment I got for her yesterday since she was uming and aring about the cost of tyres.
I got a top deal to do a full set of tyres on 2 cars since I was doing my Jeep anyway. But I did get a big hug from my girl,worth every cent of a new set of tyres.

I looked at at least 10 series 1's before I found the right one, and it was the cheapest one I looked at.

 

Thats funny , I do the same but on a spreadsheet. But I stopped using the cost column :-)

 

I'm in agreement with everyone here - there will be far more rust than what you can see. Keep your eyes open for a solid one. Series 1 cars are still around and you'll find one that you know will be right - Happy Hunting !

 

Ouch???


Just a big disappointment awaiting. Much too much money for a true rust bucket.


What you see in rust is the classic tip of the ice berg!!! Much more under there
and in critical places....


Poor interior ???

The engine might be the only value there. And that is unclear.


Not to mention how well or not well the install was done. Neat and safe
or just....


Keep looking is what I counsel.


Use this as a base for learning what not to buy!!!!


Carl