So I have a very nice 1983 XJ6 S3. I've added quite a lot to the original car, but mostly not apparent to the casual viewer. Full European lighting, VDP interior, full veneer dash and console, upgraded dash lighting (the fiber optic lighting works), new leather. Not so much engine and drive train, except I did the valves and head and a good maintenance schedule. This is the car...






Quite a presentable car.


Then this....


Quite a sad day.

But... well insured. The carrier naturally declared the car a total loss, paid off the value I had placed on the car, told me to change the registration to "salvage" and keep the car to do with what I want. So we're going to fix it.

We found a donor car, a 1986 XJ6 S3 VDP. It's not clear why the car the car was scrapped, it has some odd cuts on the side and I don't know if the engine even works, but the left side and doors are intact. The damage on my car requires replacement of the doors, B post, rocker and part of the floor and part of the roof around the B post. All this was cut from the donor. this is what is left of the donor....







Lots of parts that can be salvaged over time.

And the car is in good hands at a restoration shop in town here. When they are done, I expect the result will be better than before, they do really good work.

I'll revisit this post as the work progresses......

 

I like the rear center console with wood.
Not that anyone ever sits in the rear...

 

Not unless they're children under the age of 6....... oh wait! no room for child seat.......

 

Wow, lots of nice work done in those before pics. Terribly unfortunate accident but if it's at a good restoration shop it will be alright. The odd cuts in the side of the parts car is the way they rust, there is a small bulkhead in the quarter that's "sealed" against the outer quarter skin with a doughy sealer that gets hard and shrinks, condensation and or rear windscreen leaks collect along there and rust as shown. Can't wait to see your nice car nice again. Will they let you post progress pics?

 

Not sure what I would do in that situation, but with the amount of metal
needing replacing I would likely buy mine back and gut it! Then put everything in another!!!
good luck, hope everything comes out good and doesn’t cost a small fortune !!!

 

That is a thought, probably could have bought a nice VDP with the money, but it would kill me to part out that car. Lots of sentimental value there too after all that tlc. Probably the thing to do is let the restoration shop fix this one, and then buy another nice XJC to keep it company.

 

Not a bad thought, one that did occur, and now occurs again with Doug's post of the Hemmings auction today. But I committed to fixing this one, if you had seen it when I first got it you perhaps would understand: in a field for 10 years, filled with wasp nests, rotted leather and cracked wood. But no rust, and operable mechanics. Another 5 years before I seriously worked on it and another 5 to get to where it is. It's a keeper now.

 

The blue car??? Damn that's fantastic work! I was thinking it was probably a garage kept queen that you'd improved over a few years. It's a beautiful car. Btw... are you printing your own plastic bits I keep noticing? Love the cassette holders.

 

That's really sad, Niles, but that's the chance ya take with Drivers, isn't it.
Stuff happens to Drivers.
It's good you have adequate insurance to have it repaired Properly.

If that happened to Nix, another Driver, I'm petty sure she would go to the wrecking yard.
For one thing, the paint would be Impossible to match under current regulations as it's Carbon Black (REAL BLACK requiring numerous now-banned VOCs) and not that dark gray stuff they try to palm off on us as black for the last 15 or so years.
(';')

 

@nilseseh, sorry this happened to your beautiful S3. I think you're doing the right thing in having it repaired by someone you trust, best of luck with it. I also noticed those cassette holders in place of the ashtrays. I'd love to use those in my car, are they aftermarket or something you created yourself?

 

Surprised the cassette/nick-knack inserts are getting attention. I made them, they are printed from ABS. I have the printer, I'll see what it costs to make more if there is interest. I print quite a few things, been selling a X300 key remote battery cover for a while, as well as a drive coupling for the seat position sensor for the X300. Old plastic breaks; I can usually CAD model replacement and print it.

 

they look to be the same ashtrays without the lids.

 

I would definitely be down for a pair of them if you make some more. I still use cassettes a lot and it's a much better use of that area than ashtrays I'll never use.

 

I beg to differ! 2 seats will comfortably fit in the back, both front and rear facing.



@nileseh I admire your ambition in taking on a project of this size, but understand the motivation given the amount of restoration performed prior to the accident. Eagerly following the build!

 

Update.......
So, it's coming along:








I think they are doing a great job on the car...

 

Niles,

On behalf of Jaguar lovers everywhere, thank you for saving your beautiful S3. Every year, far too many Jags are scrapped because no one cares enough to spend the time and money to save them. I commend your dedication and will anxiously be watching your progress reports!

Cheers,

Don

 

Yes sir, now that's the way it's supposed to be done! Excellent work! Are they going to blast that front window channel while the glass is out? I see rust...

 

Yup, the front glass channel will be addressed. I think they may end up with a complete respray instead of trying to match. It's been repainted once already so it may be difficult to match. The body tech working on it has some certification related to reconstruction with the same structural integrity as original. I was impressed with his knowledge when I visited last.

The glass came out to remove the headliner, which is in poor shape (poorly executed previous repairs).. A replacement new shell is available and will be installed. The windshield will also be new, the previous was installed incorrectly and cracked on removal.
I think it will be truly better than the car that got hit.