1977 Series II, sitting, troubles ahead?
 

I have found a lovely, Sable 1977 Series II with about 80,000 miles on the clock and 10,000 on a rebuilt engine. Only she's been sitting in a garage for a couple of years after the owner died. She's been started regularly but not driven. Price is right but am I just asking for trouble?? What kind of trouble should I be looking for? I have an XK8 and had a 1996 XJ6 previous but those were Ford products and I'm not sure about a BL car.

Well, to start with, it is a much simpler car than the others in your stable. Your car's production may have been Ford influenced, but Jaguar designed and executed.

Quyality control is a big item as a Ford influence thing. But, any quality issues have been long ironed out in the prospective 77 car.

But, it is thirty six years old and time takes it's toll. The fact that it has been fired up from time to time is both good and bad. if it wasn't allowed to run until warm, it didn't help much and may have hurt. However, a car that will turn over is better than one that is stuck, and one that will actually run is better yet. Would've been nice it had been taken for a spin from time to time.The mileage is quyite low all thiongs considered. OTH not so good, mebbe. Short trips take alot more out of a car than sustained drives at highway speed.

If it is rust free and the paint and interior are good, it can be worked up into a great car. Fixing any anomolies here is expensive!!

It will need a change of filters and fluids and belts. New rubber hoses under the hood for the fuel and cooling systems.

Absolutely new tires. Even if they look good, they are age detiorated and a failure at speed is a virtual certainty.

Sounds like a great project. Lots of help available.

When I got my 83, my son wanted to declare me incompetent. That was in 2001. Now, it is pictured on his business web page!!

Side benefits. So many really nice guys to correspond with here. It will get compliments whereever you go!!

Carl

Enjoy!!

Couldn't resist!
 

Bought the 1977 Series II...sight unseen. Couldn't help myself...at least that's going to be my story to the wife when she finds out. Paid $2500 :icon_banana: I know, in the end it'll be a lot more. Here's what the I know about the car:
Original owner died 4 years ago. Grandson 'inherited' the car but has had it 'un-operative' as in unlicensed since but does sneak driving it to high school a few miles away a couple of times a month and starts it and let's it run for an hour every other week. Everything 'works'. Engine rebuilt by a Jag dealer 10,000 miles ago. Has all the paper work all the 80,000 original miles back. I've checked everything on line but still, sight unseen.

Now for the good part. The pics:

Nice looking old Jag :-)

A two-year storage isn't all that long. But, still, give it a good going over....as I'm sure you intend to do. Pay particular attention to gasoline and brake fluid.....drain and refill of both would be a good idea. And look for sign of rust in those system, as that's a common issue when a car is stored.

Cheers
DD

Looks lovely.

Looks Good!:icon_dance-tap:

You did the right thing buying that car!!

I agree with Doug, two years isn't that long if in dry storage, so flush and refill the brake system (brake fluid absorbs moisture over time), gasoline, and cooling system. And clean out the air filter and filter box, change the engine oil.

She's due to be dropped from the shipper at my Jag mechanic's shop on Monday/Tuesday. I told him 'fluids' thinking the above. You think tranny fluid would be a good idea? Anything else while he's got the tranny open?

By the way, here's a pic of this XJ6's stable mate. I call them 'twins by different mothers'.

And now, the rest of the story......
 

She arrived and she was about as good looking as the pictures. Mechanic said she was in 'pretty good' condition but get ready to put another $2000 into her for front end work and carb rebuilding. Yes, rebuilt engine (with receipt) less than 18k miles on the clock, interior was nice and all the exterior chrome pieces were newish. Spent a bit over $600 with the fluid change and 'trying' to get her smogged without a carb rebuild. Didn't make it and was about to go for the carb rebuild when suddenly a Series III that was in really great shape came past me. Long story but bought the 1987 Series III in BRG and thought, oh-oh, the little lady won't let me have 3 Jags, one has to go. So, sold this brown one to a fellow who's rebuilding a Series I and could use the engine and bits and pieces. The brown one is now a parts car coming back to life as a Series I. I loss about $1500 on the deal but considering what I paid for the Series III that makes that purchase at about market value when the loss is added in. Oh well.

Way back, in 1996, I bought a 1976 series 2 XJ6. It had been known to me as it was a friends fathers car. The father died and the son inherited the car. It was stored under cover and the engine was idled often!! I bought the car and began to run it. It was slow at acceleration and staggered after reaching 60 mph. Eventually I lost too much oil and the engine seized! The reason was that the piston rings had stuck - probably as a result of being idled for so much without getting up to temperature. It cost a considerable amount of cash to get it fixed. BEWARE OF A CAR THAT HAS NOT BEEN RUN PROPERLY. I still have the car.