Well after about 25 years I the new owner of this '87 XJ6. After many exchanges of emails and texts between the owner in downtown Chicago and me in the Detroit suburbs over the course of several months, I jumped in my car (with my friend) and we headed to Chicago at 5am yesterday. After spending a couple of hours inspecting, installing a new battery and dickering with the owner, I paid him, took the title and began the journey home. Considering I purchased it based on a few photos and never drove it , it was a pleasant, uneventful drive back to Oakland County, MI. Here's a few photos the prior owner took. Yes, he had it painted ( silver frost I believe) and they did a decent job. I will post more photos as I begin the overall cleanup and improvements. I'll notify everyone in advance that I'm not apposed to adding non-oem equipment such a audio upgrades, wheels, drilled rotors, painted calipers. More to come as I work on my new daily driver. Yes I drive my cars everyday.








a hint of things to come as time and money allows.

Thanks for looking and an advance "Thank You" for the many questions I will have for the members of this great forum.

Ren

 

Hello, Ren,
Congratulations on your "New" Series 3!!
Just Had to have another one, didn't you after all these years. And a Fine looking specimen it is too.
Welcome to our playroom from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Nice Jag; congratulations!

Great cars. Built like a tank, drive like velvet


I had a '87 XJ6 that I used as a daily driver for many years. Now my DD is an '85 Series III V12









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What can you tell us about the wheels on this car ? ^^^^^

Cheers
DD

 

Glad to see you took those ghastly wheel arch trims off. Normally these are put on to hide rust, so good news you found none. Car looks terrific BTW !

 

Uh...Fraser, there is no sign (yet) that he has removed those chrome wheel arches (I agree with you both about the look and what they are usually intended to do). The last photo is of an entirely different car, an XJ40.

 

Welcome aboard Ren.

 

Oops !
Just to say that I'm one of the few who do like a bit of bling on a car; I hate the "all black, (hearse) look". My Mark 2 I had in the 80s had lots, and the Rover 75 I had was similar, but wheel arch trims are a bit OTT for me.

 

wires on the foirst car pictures. pressed steel on the last. Aha, two cars!!!!

 

...to say nothing of the fact that only one is a Series 3

 

Congratulations on your car
They are indeed rock solid despite how lithe and graceful they appear.
Thanks for sharing.

Silver is a great color for these. I can't recall ever seeing a S3 in silver before.
Not a fan of the wires or chrome wheel arch covers...and never the leaper on later cars.
But hey, you do you.

Anyway, I wished only to offer some advice.
Stay away from drilled rotors. They're a gimmick.
Something I have only recently learned myself .
Was strongly advised against by long time and very experienced Jaguar enthusiasts whom I respect.

Unless very high end, they have big tendency to warp, even crack.
They are not needed on these cars anyway. OEM are fine.
Word to the wise. FWIW.

Enjoy and kind regards

 

Well done Ren!
The Series III is just a gorgeous car to own and drive and from years of doing so, I can attest that they make a terrific daily driver. Here in Australia, silver was a very popular colour option when the Series III were new. In case you ever need to match the paint on your car (assuming that the previous owner kept to Jaguar colours) there is another option to "Silver Frost" (which it certainly could be); that is "Rhodium Silver" . I thought I would post these scans out of a period dealer brochure for your reference (just in case they are of interest to you and/or others here).
I sincerely wish you great joy with your "new" car

 

Hi: Thanks for your comments. The paint code is MDF which I believe to be Talisman Silver Metallic and the interior trim code is CEM which translates to Mulberry (a very handsome color). I will provide more pictures as I work through the basic mechanicals since the prior owner had focused most of his resources on the cosmetics such as paint and a Nardi steering wheel. Yes the chrome arch spats will definitely come off! As stated in my intro, I'm not opposed to some updated touches like 17" wheels. The above pictures of my '87 show her dressed in 70 spoke 15" Daytons (which I will be selling). The picture of my former 1991 XJ6 shows 17" Vision Wheels, Legend Series, which I will probably re-use on my '87. Advance apologies to member OhIdon'tknow as I not only plan to make use of drilled rotors but also painted brake hardware (I guess this is my version of the chrome wheel arches bling. I have been using drilled rotors for many years without a problem. I like the look peeking out between the 5 spoked wheels.

 

I certainly agree about Mulberry being a great colour for leather. I have a set of S3 front seats in Mulberry that I bought because I couldn't turn away (even though I had no need of them). Had them for 10 years now and every now and then I unwrap them just to look and try to think of an excuse to buy another car to put them in. That is how I know my Jaguar-itis is a chronic condition! Have a great weekend!

 

Here in the 'States you don't see too many silver Series IIIs. Black, and the reds, are far more common. From a couple decades of observation dark grey (whatever the name was) seems particularly common on 1986 cars as is white on 1985 cars.

Some colors were offered only on the the VDP models; or it seems that way. Sage Green comes to mind.

Black leather is quite unusual. Savile Grey leather is also a bit rare...but more common than black in my observation.

Edit: I should add that we don't see many Series IIIs at all nowadays. I was reflecting back 20-25 years ago when there were still quite of few of them in regular use.

Cheers
DD

 

I too have missed the Usual Jaguars on the road the last couple years. Sometimes I spy one through a back yard fence, but Few (like maybe 2 besides mine) on the road.

Having just done battle with front suspension, and having been Stung once by Cheap bushings, and considering the trouble of finding Proper suspension bushings, I would not be the Least bit surprised if this is the very reason many Series Jags meet the junk man.

If a responsible owner went to the expense and trouble of having lower wishbone bushings in particular changed just a few years ago, and as with mine, they lasted such a short time, I can fully understand throwing up of hands and calling the wrecking yard,

So many Trash parts out there!!
(';')