My dad picked up this lovely 1982 XJ6 back in the 90's, Im pretty sure it was shortly after we moved into our new house, which was around 94. It was a wonderful shade of disgusting vomit yellow



After a few years of issues, and nearly dying in the thing myself, my dad finally decided to repaint it and fix all the issues it was having, namely the brakes failing on the freeways and when going downhill, as well as the hood not properly latching itself, and popping up at inappropriate moments.





Little by little he collected parts, shoving them into the car to hide them from my mom, who wouldn't have been to pleased with him spending gobs of money to build the car ( She HAD to have known he was buying car parts)



As time went on, he had less energy to work on the car, as his sickness took its toll on his body. My dad was diagnosed with Hep-C back in the early 80's and by 2006 it was really having an effect on his liver. In 2011 my father ended up in the hospital for a week, having elevated ammonia levels in his blood. 4 years later, almost to the day, he had an attack again, putting him in the hospital for 11 days. 2 months after that attack, he went into the hospital, and never came back out. My father passed away November 2nd 2015. Its with his death that I have taken on his project, in an attempt to finish his dream and his second love back on the road.





Progress is slow, as I know next to nothing about Jag's. But I am armed with a small stack of FSM'S and multiple notebooks that my dad had used to keep track of parts he wanted, parts he had, and other information he had gathered.



And that brings me to now. So far I have replaced the intake and the fuel injector relay harness along with some small bits and bobs as I came across them.



My little helper here has been a wonder supervisor, ensuring that bolts are tightened properly. Although she is skeptical that she will be driving it in time for her 2nd birthday in August. She has to impress her other rugrat friends somehow right?








Ive been cleaning up all sorts of gunk and grime off the underside of the car, its honestly CAKED in grossness. I will be doing a full cleaning of the engine and driveline once I take everything out prior to having the car sent off for a repaint. I will be painting it the same pearlescent white, and having the engine bay and interior sprayed a base matte white or grey (helps with detecting leaks and such)

Currently I have my sights set on having it running by the end of spring, and in the paint shop by the end of summer, along with getting the upholstery redone at that time as well. I would like to enter it at the Formula Drift car show in October at Irwindale speedway for the final round of the Formula Drift pro series, but we will see if finances, and this car actually allow that to happen.

 

That is a HUGE project, but SOOOOOO doable.

I did a similar with my Dads 1965 3.4S Type, when he passed in 2002.

So many memories, and such a comforting task, in a strange way, but worth every skun knuckle.

I reckon you will succeed, and although it looks like a huge jigsaw puzzle, with bits missing, it all seems to come together as you keep on keeping on with it.

Lots of S3 knowledge on here, and Doug (Sage of Seattle) is the Guru, MY opinion.

 

Thank you man. Its overwhelming at times. Ive been sat in the garage staring at the car wondering wtf I am thinking. But I have to get it back on the road. I cant let my fathers dream die off that easily.

 

What a wonderful project!

I wish you success, hope you don't find any nasty surprises, that everything simply falls into place with no more drama.

It appears you have Really good help.
(';')

 

Good for you mate.......may everything go your way....well done!

 

Good luck. Great reason for the project.

 

Decided to organize the boxes of parts, Unfortunately I don't have much room in the garage, so making things easily accessible is definitely necessary.


When I pull the motor for repaint, the block is definitely getting cleaned up. And painted.




Also to note. I only have one of these screen things, and it looks like I need two. Also the one I have broke. Anyone have a spare or know the part number so I can order replacements?

 

i just bumped a post form Jose, its the manuals download them!! they will save you a lot of time and energy!!

 

That screen is the transmission vent hole cover.

2 per car.

Same as BW65 (Series 2 cars), yours is BW66. Should be heaps laying around, as they are usually missing.

 

The part number is C39247J and they frequently no missing, as stated by Grant !