Big adventure, we flew from Ohio to central California to look at a 1987 Series III that I believed to be an all original car that had been lovingly cared for its entire life. The car turned out to be everything I had hoped for. In the last 4000 miles it had a total brake system restoration including new rotors and calipers, cylinder head removed and restored, everything questionable replaced, new gaskets, etc. The body is Artic Blue Metallic in great original condition. Beautiful original seats in Buckskin (the headliner had been replaced). Woodwork is ok but I'll probably refresh it. A huge box of receipts going back 20 years, a complete set TSBs, a shop manual, a car cover, a bunch of books on the XJ6, etc. It was a California car all its life (no rust). I am the fourth owner; the first was a lady in Newport Beach that always had it serviced at the dealer, the second was an elderly couple that bought all the books and really babied the car, the guy I bought it from is a retired electrician, Jaguar fanatic and master mechanic.

So we closed the deal and my wife and I drove it home. 2300 miles, no problems, and wall to wall sunshine every day. The first day I stopped and got a gallon of antifreeze, a fire extinguisher (neither of which I needed). I took a small bag of tools, and AAA will tow me 100 miles. Hop in and drive them.

The wire wheels were a dealer installed extra and are in perfect condition. The fake spinners on the wheel stick out a bit from the side of the car and really flash in the sunshine. As a lot of you know, I have a 79 early SIII in Cotswold Yellow. I hardly ever get comments on it but this car got at least one comment a day while we were on our trip.

So those of you looking for nice cars that are reasonablely priced, they are out there. I found this one advertised in Autotrader, the other two in Craigslist but not in Ohio. It is not perfect or concourse condition but is a safe, sound, original car that runs great. Thanks to the forum for your support. There was a small issue with the fuel return valves but with judicious switching between tanks we got home without spilling any gas. The problem was probably from not enough exercise, I'll fix it soon.

I know I'll get some comments on the colors of my Jaguars. I like bright colors. A friend of mine said I am all set for Easter. So now I own what I call the bookends - the first year and the last year for SIII in America and an aluminum 07 VDP. Definitely out of control. BTW, I have the best wife ever.

Jeff

A happy garage

 

Nice Jag ! Love the color; one of my favorites on a Series III. Sounds like you really 'done good' in getting that car !

Cheers
DD

 

Absolutely Beautiful! I like the yellow one too!

 

 

 

Wowee!

You got it made. Three great Jags and an appreciative wife...

What can I say???

Carl

 

2300 mile road trip in a xj 6. What an awesome adventure. A wonderful cruising sedan for sure,

 

WOW!! Great job! A wonderful wife is VERY important. I took mine to the Junior Prom in High School and here we are 49 happily married years later.

 

 

Here are some more photos. The first was taken in downtown Folsom near where we bought the car. This is very close to where gold was discovered in California in 1849 (the gold rush). The second is my wife rearranging the boot prior to our leaving California.
Jeff



Three leapers

 

Carl, there isn't much more to say. Very few of us snag a great one.
I got one of them. She didn't bat an eyelid to my latest project.....building a race bike from three.

 

This "new" addition gets me.

I saw the origin of riding "rough shod" yesterday. Horses are shod with shoes to fit the surface on which they walk and run on. One version includes "heels" at the rear of the iron and studs resembling athlete's spikes up front. Shod for the rough or rough shod.

So, came the saying, rode rough shod over..."

Carl