This past November I bought myself a 1985 XJ6 so I thought I'd share my story so far. I picked it up from Craigslist for $1000. When I bought the car it had no exhaust, the previous owner had bottomed it out and broke off both mufflers. The alternator was dead, so the owner was using a trickle charger to supply the battery with sufficient power to get him back and forth to work; once he got to where he was going he would replace the battery on the trickle charger until he was ready to drive again. In the midst of the alternator issues he'd bought a new battery which was not only the wrong group rating but was a top-mounted post battery instead of the proper side post, so it was almost 2" too tall and would arc when he slammed the bonnet down on it (he said it wouldn't shut without slamming it, the wrong battery being the reason). Since then I've had 2 new Magnaflow mufflers installed with new aluminized stainless steel piping, and the stock curved tailpipes were retained and cleaned. It has a new alternator, new proper battery with new terminal post leads, new Champion spark plugs and new plug wires/rotor/distributor. Total investment so far including purchase price is at about $2300. A few remaining flaws include potential wiring issues with tail/side marker lights, needs steering boot replacement, and a slight valve seal leak that for now will hopefully be slowed by using 20W50 grade motor oil. Other than that most everything on the car works, aside from the cruise control and the back driver's side window. More updates may follow, in addition to more questions as I delve deeper into working on my first project car. Thanks for reading, and should anyone have suggestions/comments, feel free!

 

First off welcome to JF
Thats quite a list but as you tick them off you will have a nice car.

If/when you get stuck there is plenty of willing help right here.

Best of luck and hope you find time to upload some pictures. Neil

 

Sounds like a great car if you have avoided the rust demon (at least major rust)

Previous owner sounds like a bit of a character :-)

Cheers

 

Sounds like you will have a nice car there. Look forward to hearing your progress.
When time allows drop by the new member area and post an intro.

New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

 

Kudos, indeed. A great way to commence the Jaguar adventure. and, an additional kudos for rescuing the car from the ".... " of the PO!!!


Not a criticism, merely curious. why do some folks obliberate plate numbers?


If you don't have one, get a couple. VOM's. One digital and one analog. and, solder up a test lamp.


Also get Jaguar Publication S57. The electrical schematics for your car.


Jaguar mantra for electrics. Clean, tighten and lubricate.


Ground points in poor condition account for m any electric anomolys. Find trhe ground for the errant circuit, apply the mantra and a lot of the time, it will light up!!!




Enjoy!!


Carl
r

 

if that is the car you bought for $1 thousand dollars, it was worth every dollar you paid.

 

Nice Car!! You got a Real Deal it sounds like!
Welcome, Daniel, to our little corner of the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Much appreciation for the comments and tips so far, I am very grateful for the hospitality!

 

is it Grossvenor Brown ? (Milk-Chocolate Brown??)

or is it Maroon (Burgundy reddish).

 

That car looks almost exactly like mine including the interior, except you have a sunroof and the steering wheel got put on the wrong side. I think the colour may be Cranberry Red, which is more of a Maroon/Burgundy as you say.

 

yes it is the Cranberry, it's that the middle picture looks like Grosvenor Brown, like mine.

 

Interesting. The interior is the same as mine. and, my car is Grosvenor brown. the dreaded thermoplastic, but after 30+ years, still very presentable.


Carl.

 

no wonder I got an antique plate! 30 years old already! 31 because Jaguar built those cars 1 year ahead of their release for sale.

 

I checked my car's build date at one time. I forgot what it was. sometime n 83, though!!
The Peoples republic of California charges extra for any thing other than a regular Folsom Prison made pair of plates.


Off to errands.


Jaguar not available, so Jeep does it


Carl