Hi Gang,

New to this forum and Jaguars but not to car forums, or cars in general as I’ve been collecting, restoring, and selling them most of my life.

Always wanted a Jaguar even though everyone I know has told me for years to stay away from them.

Just picked up a 1975 XJ 5.3 Coupe and I’m super excited to rip into it and slowly put her back together.

I’m a big believer in research and I’ve learned a lot about the early XJ series I, II, and III cars over the past few weeks.

I’ve also found several sources on-line that sell body & interior replacement parts for these older cars which is great.

What I’m not finding, is what body & interior parts are interchangeable with other cars from the same era.

In other words, would most (or some) of the interior components, exterior trim, glass, undercarriage components, and sheet metal from the higher production 4 door cars fit, the limited production-run coupes?

The car I purchased has a significant amount of rust, but not to the point of sending her off to the crusher, plus the coupe’s are super rare and trying to find one in better shape without robbing a bank is just about impossible.

From what I can see so far she’ll definitely need door skins, floorboards, possibly the side sills, valances, and possibly some trunk sections.

Once I take the fenders off and pull her all apart, I’m sure I’ll find more sections that will need to be repaired, or completely replaced with pre-formed sheet metal.

I’m not afraid of rust or hard work, and I’ve got a great welder & body guy that I work with that are magicians with old cars.

This particular car came with the V12 which honestly, I’m not all that crazy about because from what I’ve researched & found on-line, those early V12's seems to be very finicky, complicated, and prone to quirky failures if they aren’t driven frequently.

I’m toying with the idea of dropping a mid-to-late 1990’s AJ6 or AJ16 in – NO CHEVY SMALL BLOCKS!!!!!!!!

I realize there may be some engine mount and bracing fabrication work to make either one of those modern engines work, but I’m a huge fan of straight six engines and from what I’ve read on-line, most owners of those engines love them and rave about their reliability.

I’d be curious to hear from any of you that ever attempted such a swap.

Any info or advice that any of you could give on my new (old girl) would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks in advance………

 

Quote:

This particular car came with the V12 which honestly, I’m not all that crazy about because from what I’ve researched & found on-line, those early V12's seems to be very finicky, complicated, and prone to quirky failures if they aren’t driven frequently.

The AJ6 swap has been done by a few guys with very good results. I think there are some (or at least one) write-ups right here in the JF archives.

I'm not familiar with every detail but the gist, from what I've gathered, is that the basic installation is easy. The devil is in sorting the numerous details and sub-systems. Pretty typical with most engine swaps.

I'm a V12 fan so I'd be inclined to work with what you have....which would probably be less effort overall than the AJ6 swap. Actually, I'd be more tempted to swap the original V12 for the later HE type. But that's just me.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks,

Great advice, and I'll look for that swap thread here within the forum....

 

Neveragain
Your coupe is based on the short wheelbase series 2 XJ 6/12
Consequently, the floor pan etc is basically the same.
Everything forward of the A pillar is Series 2.
The running gear and suspension is series 2.
Those early V12 engines were very problematic and extremely thirsty.
An early XK 6-cylinder engine with carbies would be an easy swap. That was the other option in the coupes.
An AJ6 or AJ16 engine would be great but there are lots of electronic inputs which would have to be sorted out.
Cheers

 

My recollection is that the door skins are unique to the coupes, but that the door body is one and a half Series 2 front doors stuck together by the factory.

If it were me, I'd want to get it driving on the original engine, if its at all viable, and see what its like. It can always be swapped later, but its only original once.

 

there is a 1975 Coupe 12 cylinder being offered in supposedly excellent condition for $20k or best offer.

Ad is in Facebook in a page called "Jaguar Classics For Sale".

Never buy any old car without inspecting in person.

 

True, one shouldn't buy a car without inspecting it, but in todays world with cars being sold online from all over the country/world it could get very expensive, very quickly by having to fly all over the country to check out cars.

I've actually bought several cars sight unseen only reviewing pictures and having long conversations with the previous owners and I've never been burned.

Also, sometimes you just have to accept the fact that there's going to be costs regardless, and you justify the cost of the restoration vs what you paid for the car, and if it will all be worth it in the end.

I picked this car up for literally nothing so my logic is, given what they're worth fully restored or in really good condition I can't go wrong no matter what I do to the car.

You also except in this game that you're never going to fully get back everything you put into a car, and that's ok to if you plan on keeping it, which I definitely do with this car.

This jag is definitely a keeper in my collection, and I don't plan on selling it anytime soon

Thanks for the reply......

 

Quote:

You also except in this game that you're never going to fully get back everything you put into a car, and that's ok to if you plan on keeping it, which I definitely do with this car.

I've been driving these old Jags for almost 25 years now. Probably over 300k miles spread over 4 cars.

I'd hate to tally up what I've spent, all-in. But I get so much enjoyment from them I view it is "pleasure and entertainment" expense :-)

Cheers
DD

 

Hello,
I do hope you keep us informed of your progress with this, cuz you'll have have Such a Lot of fun!
Welcome to our playroom from ElinorB.
(';')