Prepare to have your mind blown.

My full VIN

UG 2W 50180 BW

On top of that your car looks EXACTALY how mine would if it was kept in good shape its whole life. Same colors. Same trim etc.
Scary. Its also the 12th one built that year. According to this site http://www.motorcarsltd.com/information/jaguar-vin.html the first XJS of 1976 was vin UG2W50168, so my car may have very well been within spitting distance of the first of the 1976 model year.

Ill take pics of it this weekend when im off base.

 

Now, since this is technically my thread, I'll post you some fresh pics of my finished and nicely coated quilt of a bottom
Now I do front wheels wells, fenders and I am done with the icky stuff.

 

Lookin good Mish. Keep the pics coming as you progress

 

Rear end is back on, it was so sad to hide such beauty under car.

 

Some progress, brake and fuel lines are all redone and attached to floor panels.

 

And back with more fun welding, I am!
When I thought I was about done with welding, hoping to move on to bodywork, my friend and I decided to check front floor sections, just to see if all is good and solid down there. Work on those was supposedly done long time ago, by very reputable Jag. enthusiast... Now, pictures speak for themselves

 

makes ya wonder if every last bit of rust will be gone from the car, so you can say its rust free!!

 

On the East Coast, impossible!

 

Some more pics for those who GAF

 

oh yes. very nice. you need to do the bumper delete, like mine. its a shame to put so much work into the body and then leave the diving boards on the front and back. at least do the back.

 

It is in the cards... I just took off rear board, as the matter of fact.

 

Thanks for your encouraging comments on my pics but I think you have done a hell of a lot more work than I have. OK, I replaced half the panels on the car but the amount of mechanical work you have done is incredible. Having said that I did only set out to get it through it's test and a year later I'm still at it. I recognise all the rotten bits from my own experience. That's a very nice looking workshop you have too, I agree all of these cars should come with a lift.

 

Great job Mish. I bought a lift as my retirement present to myself. Absolutely marvellous after 35 years of scrabbling about on the floor with eyes full of rust!

Greg

 

They are cheap in US, thanks to our lack of market protection from China, $1500 and you have one delivered. I believe that Jaguar should be including lifts with new car purchase, as part of its tool kit (Citroen should probably do the same)...

 

How does your front axle look? I can bet you have plenty of chocolate in it, with the rest of your car being so crunchy. Mine rotted out to the point where I had to replace it.

 

The good ole Ohio, typical rain after car wash. Plus the damn bird pooped on my fender.

 

Front and rear crossmembers are fine, probably due to the amount of oil they were soaking in. All leaks cured now so I had better get some rust protection inside the front one fast.

 

WD40 is great for rust protection and cheap

 

Some new pick, another weekend full of erotic pleasures...

 

fill those side markers while your at it.