Long Story Short

2000 Put 'Cherry Blossom' on the Lift to remove the leaking Radiator, then disaster struck.

Close family member passed away, mortified, life fell apart, everything came to a halt and not even had a look at the Car from that day to this!

That was 14 years ago! but now its back to the Future.

Yesterday I decided that the time was right, as this Car was a 'Cream Puff' a One Owner Car with FMDSH and only 24,000 Miles on the Clock!

But what lies beneath that Cover? Its been outside for 14 years! so would I just be looking at a great big pile of Rust!

Its not looking good all the Tyres are shot, they were brand new Pirelli's and the wheels look in need of a refurb.

One Cover off and One more to go!

 

Come on OB, stop teasing us and get that cover off

 

Having left the GF Tied up at work! (you can make up your own jokes!) I finally had a little bit of 'Me' Time.

So gritting my teeth and prepared for the worst I took the Covers off, where to my absolute amazement, She didn't look too bad!

So now some 14 years later, it was time to remove the Radiator!

Which as you may know if you followed my Post, I am something of an expert at!

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-24-a-115152/

Only this time I had my Garage Lifter to help me!

But after standing or should that be sitting! for the past 14 years it had seized up, including the Motor!

I won't bore you with the details but after lots of WD40 and plenty of hammer bashing, it sprang into life and up she went!

Please God, please let the Stop Button Work!

Where is the Stop Button! OMG! Help!

Then having survived being crushed by the Top of the Canopy (I stopped it just in time!)

It was time to get the bonnet/hood up and remove the gas struts.

Once having done so I lifted the bonnet right up in the Air and didn't bother to remove the front Grill, not that I forgot, I just didn't need to!

This time getting the Rad out was a piece of Cake! (ish!)

Told you I was an Expert! and this time I didn't end up in A&E!

This new Saga, is going to run in fits and starts as the GF and I want to make the most of the Summer, in my other XJS that has just been put back on the Road, after a 10 year layup.

So this will be an 'As Time Permits' Restoration.

For which I must Thank 'Greg in France' who without his Expertise, His help and encouragement, I would not be back on the road today!

Not forgetting all the help, that I was freely given, from loads of other people on this Forum.

Especially 'Grant' aka 'The Wizzard of Oz!' 'Do it once!', 'Do it right!' forget it and then go and enjoy the Car.

But now I've hit the Buffers!

I can't seem to get the Electrical Fan Cowling out!

It flops about but it seems to be held in there by some magical force!

Do I have to remove the Big Yellow Fan Blades?

 

Your Wish is my Command!

 

Most of that will polish up just grand. She certainly looks good for such a long lay up.

I will watch out for this one coming back to life so as and when, keep the write up and pics coming.

Good luck with it.

 

That looks pretty spiffy for a 14 year storage.

 

I sense a disturbance in the Force; more pain on the way methinks.

 

Thanks Jim

She really needs to get back on the road ASAP! but I lead such a 'Jam Packed' life, that I don't get a second to breathe!

The Photo I took of the Car on the ramp, isn't one of the best, as I was shaking and waiting for something to break!

 

That wasn't Storage! I left her outside, in the Rain, Hail and Snow for 14 years!

But I get what you mean.

 

Methinks You could be Right!

 

That engine bay looks cleaner than mine and I've spent about 12 hours on it so far!

 

You are saying that doesn't qualify as storage?

 

It had a cover over it,that is storage isn't it?

 

It's time to put the GF on the back burner and move the XJS to the front of the line. Remember she has sat for 14 years waiting for you to come back to her. What devotion she has...


Best of luck.

 

More Pics! Check it out!

 

Perhaps you need to take a trip to 'Specsavers!'

 

No that qualifies as neglect!

 

Inside=Storage

Outside=Neglect!

 

Absolutely bang on with that Comment, have a look at her now She's had a wash!

That's the Car not the GF.

 

Having Blown the Tyres up (one of them actually did go bang! FPS)

I gave 'Cherry Blossom a Wash' OMG what a difference!

I can't leave it any longer, I've got to throw a Grand at her right now!

Although the Lift will go higher, the Car is not properly balanced at the moment, so I didn't want to risk it just in case something broke.

When I bought the Lift, I brought the lift home all in one piece on the back of my Land Rover!

But at the moment, I've come to a halt, as I can't get the Fan Cowling out!

Ideas welcome guys.