Congratulations on finding what looks like an absolute peach of a car. From the pics it looks terrific. Very few ever come like this any more. AFAIK, the engines were built for lead-free petrol at the end of the 60s, so I would just use normal 95 RON petrol. If it pinks a bit, use 98 RON. I am referrring to the European standard, (RON - Research Octane Number), but am not sure what the equivalent is in Oz.

 

It's all metric in Oz so we use the same and have 91, 95 and 98 plus the E10 and a starting to get a few E85 pumps too. I wouldn't try my luck on any of the Ethanol fuels on a car of this age.

 

That thing looks great! My Series I, a '73, only cost me $700 usd, but needed a lot of work. It runs great now and I have only spent a few hundred on it, but the interior needs PLENTY of work. I think an extra $2k is worth it to get such great looking interior. My back seat falls apart with pressure. I am rather jealous right now...

 

Very very nice car, and beautiful interior! I moved from Sydney's West not so long ago back to Brisbane and had dealings with some very shady smash repairers. So if you ever need one in the future I eventually found a guy named Andrew from "Arjan Motors" around the Lidcombe/Auburn area. The repair work was flawless (FYI it wasn't on my Jag, it was on a new car which has a very difficult paint colour to match) and he was upfront, honest, on time, answered my calls and worked around my work hours.

Anyway, best of luck, love the car!

 

Congrats on the purchase, it's a nice looking example.

In regards to fuel, I have found that mine runs best on the higher RON, I generally use BP Ultimate and throw in a bit of Valve Saver with it. Wasn't really sure if the motor would take unleaded so added it anyway.

Over the last 18 months or so, I have rebuilt and replaced just about every component in the front and rear ends, haven't actually added it all up yet but I can't say I have had any nasty surprises with the pricing here in Aus. I use Prestige Spares in Melb an can highly recommend them.

Good luck with the tinkering, as there is always something that needs attention. Will keep an eye on your thread and maybe see you on the road someday.

 

Thanks for all the kind words guys. I've definitely fell on my feet with this car. She is by no means perfect but I look forward to getting there.

 

Well done on the South African thing! I say this 'cos I've got one too!(Though a series 2 in my case). Which brings me to the question - is there any evidence of Leyland badges on yours? Mine's got one on either front guard under the leaper profile. One is in English, while the other is in Africaans!

Again, well done on the purchase - hope it's going well!

Cheers,

Tony.

 

Really nice find! Im starting to really dig the look of a Series 1.

 

Nice car. Interior is very bright red, Has it been refinished? Mine has red also but more of a darker shade

 

Good work. My S1 has no chrome leaper on the hood either. Could be a southern hemisphere thing? The origonal car you mentioned sounded like a $1000 to $1500 type job, cars arent worth much any more especially with rust nobody wants them. What did you pay for this nice example, looks like a genuine 3k car.

Mine cost $600 but lot of mucking round and still working on getting it started, keep the fingers crossed !!!

Re parts ebay seems like a good source, I wouldnt even bother ringing a jag dealer in aust even the second hand ones are expensive. Let them rot.

 

Yeah I know what you mean bit green here... lol

 

SafaJag, I have the Afrikaans version at the rear and that's it. No BL badges under the side leapers.

XJ Davo, I don't think the car has had a re-trim. Although the headlining looks like it may have been replaced as the main centre piece is a light grey while the surrounding material is a beige colour? The trim around the door is also the same beige colour?

Thanks for the comments, I'm very pleased with the old girl.

 

IIRC, Jaguar had pretty much dropped the leaper on the bonnet at about the time the S1 XJ6 came on the market (at least in UK/Europe/Aust cars). Even though we see them about they're actually only dealer or owner fitted accessories. Seem to remember reading that somewhere, though could be wrong...

Cheers,

Tony.

 

The XJ saloons Series 1, 2 and 3 never had leapers, but due to popular demand, Jaguar eventually brought them back. I think the X308 was the first XJ, but the S-Type from 1998 started them off again. At least this is my memory.

TBH, I don't think leapers suit the modern shapes. Having said that I have put stick-on leapers on my front wings behind the wheel arches. Position is the same as the little rectangular badges on the ealier XJs with a pic of a leaping Jaguar. I got the leapers from Adamesh.

jaguar accessories | jaguar leaping mascot | jaguar xk | jaguar s type | jaguar x type | jaguar xf | jaguar xj

 

I know the Leaper on my car was fitted by the original owner 25 years ago.