Hi everybody, I got this 1979 Series II XJ12L a few weeks ago, and wanted to share the story.
A friend of mine owned this car in the mid eighties, before selling it to one of his neighbors in 1989. The neighbor only drove it 2k miles before parking it for reasons he couldn't recall or wouldn't admit. He thinks it was around 1991.
Recently he sold the house and had to move the Jag. He asked my friend, the previous owner, if he wanted to buy it back. My friend declined, but suggested the guy call me.
When I went to look at it, I really expected the worst. In fact, I told my wife their was "zero chance" of me buying it. I imagine most of you know what happened next...

As I found it, sitting in this garage since 1991.



Had it towed to my shop.




The interior is very nice.






Under the hood is clean.




Got it in the shop, drained the tanks. Replaced the battery, fuel filter and it needed a fuel pump. After a bit she fired up and ran good!

 

Wow good score! The 'ol girl is in fantastic shape inside and out. I have to ask - what did you pay for it? I love the colour.

 

I'm glad you mentioned the color! I believe it is Squadron Blue, and appears to be all original. The dark blue is painted over the Squadron Blue, but appears to be of the same vintage and quality. I am fairly confident the factory did not do two tones. Anyone familiar with this paint scheme?
A friend of mine recalled Florida dealers painting them this way to look "Rolls Roycish", which jives with the break down the front fender edge. Hand painted red stripe divides the blues with matching red piping inside.
Does anybody else have a theory?

 

!! Nice Car!!
Isn't it fun when you 'stumble' on cool things like this!
(';')

 

CONGRATS!! I'm very happy for you. (and a bit jealous, LOL)


My is '76. and I'm very far. It started the First day but since I had some issues with the Engine Bank B I pulled some of the things apart... now I'm trying to find a stopping point otherwise I'm going to restore the whole thing.


Congrats again.

 

Hey thanks for the kind words!
Today I compounded the entire car with Meguiars Ultimate Compound, and hand polished with Meguiars Gold Class Wax. Cleaned up real nice!
Will post pics when I get home.

 

After a day of buffing and waxing.

 

Fantastic. Great work. Very interesting color scheme.

 

The top colour looks Squadron Blue to me. Popular choice on UK XJ6 and XJ12 in the mid 1970's.

I had a Series I XJ6, Series I XJ12 and a Series II XJ6 in the 1970's before I was married and had to leave new cars alone for a while! I recall seeing a very few two tone XJ's at the time but this definitely wasn't a factory option on UK spec vehicles and I'd be surprised if Coventry built any for the US.

Always loved the XJ12 but couldn't live with the 8 mpg on the early ones.

Graham

 

I never had a new car,even before I was married. Spent all my cash on Hyper Sports bikes though(had 4 new ones in the 80's)

 

You've got a cherry...nice pickin'!

The problem with new cars is that they're not old.

 

Also, new cars lack individuality and charm; Soul, for lack of a better word, with the personality of the average toaster.

Ya seen one ya seen 'em all. And good luck trying to do even the simplest maintenance task, beyond filling the tank, without a code reader.

Only ONE of our fleet is that new, Wart, and it's 13 years old.
(';')

 

Agree, that is a striking car.


Some years ago, I saw something similar in a nearby town. It was a silver and charcoal combination. Not my taste, but it sure was striking. and, as my car was on red line, I was a bit envious!!


Well, I went on errands, to include a hair cut!!! Awful wooly!! for once, my car was not the oldest one in the lot. I parked close to a very nice restified mid seventies Camaro.


Well, my 94 Jeep with over s00, 000 is in for my daughter's 2001 Passatt with about half the miles!!!


However, on the way back, a slick blonde in a slick white late Mustang with the top down, the car, not hers was alongside. OK!!!!


Carl

 

Hi everybody, I need some input please-
I drained the coolant, and refilled it running, with the bleed screw open. Heat on high. It took about 4 gallons.
Now, when the car gets up to operating temp, it pours coolant out of the expansion tank overflow. It is not overheating, but seems to be air bound.
I have tried 2 different caps on the expansion tank, no difference. According to my manual, I should have a second cap on a pipe between my 2 thermostats, but my car doesn't have it!
Anyone else familiar with this set up? what am I doing wrong?

 

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

I am not an expert, but if you still have not found the problem, possibilities I would check:
1. Improper caps
2. Caps defectively releasing at too low a pressure (both caps you tried could be defective)
3. Overflow tank neck not allowing cap to seat properly
4. Head gasket