Gregory, I just downloaded Jagcare III and read it in its entirety. I take it you wrote it? Anyways, an absolute must read for a new Series III owner. I learned an awful lot. I’m not a mechanic by any means, but I have enjoyed sorting out a few bugs on the car myself. Or more accurately, with the help of yourself and other posters.

Happy driving,

Steve

 

Steve: Jagcare III was a product of relative youth and written when I was about halfway through the number of S3 cars I restored, so in a way it is not as complete as it could be but in another way it contains more information than I can now remember! The beautiful thing about these beautiful cars is that they are repairable and understandable - assuming that you can get yourself into the mindset of the designers and engineers...if you can recognize the logic behind the fact that the glovebox light only works when you have put the exterior lights on, then you'll be fine (and the logic is that if you don't need the other lights on then it obviously is not dark enough for you to need a light in the glovebox either....yes, I know...).
As Doug Dwyer says, these are the most modern antique cars on the road. They provide just enough fiddling material to keep life in the garage interesting. Modern Jaguars, while being superior in every way except appearance, are almost boring in that respect. Nothing under the hood changes from year to year, almost nothing can be improved, problems are few and if and when they do arise the solution is almost always replacement rather than repair. Time in the garage around modern Jags (for me at least) is limited to admiring, waxing, admiring, feeding the leather, admiring, and then, just for good measure, more admiring. Oh, and then another coat of Victoria Wax because running your hands over those curves is so satisfying (and yes, my wife knows...) and then it is de rigueur to admire again. In these Covid-19 days this is a very good use of time!

And speaking of admiring, the one thing that does NOT change about Jaguar ownership is that it is not possible for the owner to park the Jag (any Jag) without looking back at it in admiration.

if you have any questions you can contact me directly if you prefer.

 

Gregory, you are right about being able to put some thought into the design and construction of these cars and to easily complete a number of repairs myself. I didn’t buy the car as a project as it is in very nice shape, but being home a lot with the COVID-19 issue, it has given me something to tinker with and improve upon. I quite enjoy heading to the garage in the morning to fiddle with the car.

I will take you up on your offer to answer additional questions as they come up. Many thanks.

Steve