Hi all
After 1.5 years (I dont have much free time to work on the car) the disassembly and boring scraping of undecoating is almost done (many thanks to people on this forum for all tips).
In the next phase I will hand over to a Jaguar specialist to do the body work (fixing rust and paint), thereafter I will assemble the whole thing… Plan is to be finished around 2022.... easy =)

Now to the question:
Do you have any ideas for gentle (and not too expensive) improvements that can be made to the car?

- No major (at least not visible) changes from original is allowed in Switzerland if the car shall be registered as "oldtimer". It has some pros to get this status (taxes, insurance, less controls etc)

All ideas are welcome!!! Engine improvements (more horsepower not needed)? Handling? Chassi rigidity? Electrical system? Better sound dampening?...….
I was thinking about converting to manual gearbox but I am not sure if it would be worth it...

br
Marcus

 

Have you seen Harry's Garage on YouTube?
Harry has an XJ12C which has a manual gearbox. He has posted two videos on the improvements to his car. Might be interesting to you?

 

And by the way, it looks like it will a great car when you have finished. Nice pics.

 

pix of my XJ12C , V12 , manual 4speed, 10yrs ago, if i;d only could see the future?

 

Manual trans- not inexpensive but worth it if you really want more performance

Suspension upgrades- these car respond well to minor upgrades: anti-roll bars, shocks, springs, bushings. Not expensive in the grand scheme of things

Stiffening- look up some postings form ISCamerica. He hes experience with this

Sound deadening- lots of products out there. Probably worth doing

Lighting upgrades are popular these days; tons of products out there

Electrical- many upgrade to a higher output alternator

Cheers
DD

 

Sounds like you are in Europe, so the car already has small Euro bumpers? First mod required for these cars in the USA is removal of the huge heavy bumpers.

If you stay with an auto trans, change to a GM 700R4. This gives better ratios and an overdrive 4th. Huge difference in performance even with no change to the engine. John's Cars in Texas makes the kit. There are also plenty of performance mods for the V12's that are essentially bolt-ons like intake manifold and exhaust too.

Good luck!

 

Hi all
Many great tips, thanks alot.
Yes, the Car has Euro-bumpers, no need to change those. How is it in U.S; Is it allowed to change to Euro-bumpers nowadays?
The very reason I finally bought this car was the episode in Harry garage with his XJC... I had always wanted a jag so the MGB had to go.
I will have to look more into what they will allow regarding modifications here in Switzerland, they have weird rules to get the car approved as "oldtimer". Adding extras that were available at the time for that model is ok, but everything else gets trickier. For my Volvo 121 Amazon I had a special allowance for slightly wider wheels than original =)
Maybe I can argue that the XJC was actually sold with a manual box (but with the smaller engine).
Time to get back out in the garage and get something done
br
Marcus