Another crazy thought I can't seem to let go of, is the very very low value of my 97 XJR that now needs painting. A great car, but may as well be considered a total loss. Seems finding a decent XJC-6 and converging the two would be a wonderful project.

 

Yup!

XJR/6 drivetrains have found there way into several older models over the years. There's someone in the Series I-II-III section just beginning the process.

A year or so ago someone had three XJSs for sale....all with XJR/6 transplants.

I'm sure there are a few more floating around out there somewhere.

It's doable, obviously, but not a simple undertaking.

Cheers
DD

 

I saw those three cars for sale. Seems he had a tough go of it, but eventually sold all three. I can only presume in the 12K range. They were auctioned several times, so who knows.
I just know I like Jags, and the XJ6/12-C have always caught my eye.

 

I have worked on my fair share of Jaguar
V-12's enough to know that I'm not THAT sick of a man to want to own one. I just don't possess enough patience not only to own one but to super/turbo charge one. Don't get me wrong, I love working on cars and I love to tinker on my own stuff, but I often find myself especially ill tempered with the V12's.
Brakes, electrical system, climate control and suspension are what gets me most.

I visit the XJS side of the forum to see other members who are passionate about their cars because I enjoy reading their success stories and reading about the unusual XJS models available out there.

My screen name is over 17 years old starting on a turbo Buick website with my 1986 Grand National which has gone 11:53 in the quarter mile back in 03'. I bought my 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse new and I turbocharged it. I acquired my 98' XJR about 2 1/2 years ago with 234K miles and resurrected it and now has 242K on it and is in great running condition with the original unrebuilt short block.

Concerning your 97' XJR, if it's a great car, dismiss the monetary value. What's it worth to you? If it brings you joy, you should paint it and know that not many people have them. There are seemingly a handful of the
98-03 XJ8/XJR (U.S.) in my city and I think the lines on these cars are sexier than most new cars IMO. It should look even better with my XJR-100 wheels going on it soon. BTW, I love the wide 5 spoke X300 XJR wheels.

 

Having owned a 87 Buick Grand National, I can completely understand your sentiments. Its a long story about acquiring that car, yet it turned out to be tied with first place in being one of the two most fun cars I've ever owned.
I agree totally about the XJS, and the V12. Owning these cars goes back to my sickness. For whatever reason, I was given the patience for things mechanical. My father tells me I am a mechanical sadomasochist. Once I get a car working/running/looking its best, I am bored with it. The XJS is one of those cars that just never quite gets there, lol. I guess with this newest purchase, it will make 9 XJSs that I have owned and or currently owned. The 95 V12 convertible was the best of the lot so far, yet I bought a 95 6 cylinder car about 4 months ago, and other than having to figure out that the trunk light was draining the battery, it has been perfect.
Supercharging the V12 is just fun experimentation to me. Putting a whipple 3.3 liter blower on a 6 liter engine is a challenge I have full intention of achieving, or failing miserably at, lol.
You may be right about the XJR6. It will put a grin on your face as often as you choose. Especially from about 15-20 miles a hour on......

 

OK guys. I am now in possession of this car. It is definitely a very unusual XJS. Obviously black, yet has burgundy carpet. As is made from original burgundy carpet. Bottom of door cards, in the rear, everywhere it should. I've not ever seen this before. It has a light colored interior, with matching steering wheel. Yet burgundy piping on the seats.
The owner simply gave up. This car appears to not need painting at all. Paint is actually beautiful. He took the front bumper and body extension off, and under the bottom of the body extension, it has a hole busted in it, but he saved the pieces. It may be 6"-8" in size, but made of fiberglass, so very repairable. The rear spoiler also needs attention. But I had the car up on my trailer, and was able to look it over pretty good, and I can't see that the car needs painting at all.
The top and interior? Shot. Needs door panels, and seats redone at a minimum. Needs new carpet no doubt.
He has had all machine work done. Heads surfaced, valve job, new rings and bearings. Included all gaskets to finish, along with new timing chain tensioner, etc.
There are new still in the package wood inserts for all the interior panels. Not sure about the dash parts.
All of the engine parts, and 80 percent of the accessory parts are cleaned, ready to bolt back on.
All in all, for a project car, this car can be put back together mechanically for what appears to be very little cost. Although we all know how it is. It really is at a point where rebuilding the steering rack, the worn rubber components of the front end would be best done now. It really has the makings of a very unusual XJS.
I am putting it in storage for now. Building a new house and lots of space for a project like this.
If any of you know how to obtain any info on this car, or TWR cars in general, please chime in. Thanks!
Oh, and no rust.

 

Ok. My wife helps me unload the car this morning. Sun shining bright, she says "that car isn't black". Sure enough, looking at it now, it isn't black. It is a deep deep, and I mean deep burgundy. In passing, it looks black. But same color everywhere

 

Wow! Sounds very nice! Love those dark rich colors! Overall, it sounds like a good car to spend time on.

Got Pictures?

 

I have, but haven't been successful in posting pics on here. The seller is a engineer. He pretty methodically disassembled the car, bagged and labeled most everything.
No buyers remorse, but I do like black on a Jag. The car appears to have had paint work on the drivers side. Has no info in door jamb as all others. My father owned a body shop up until I was about 30, so I know quality work from shoddy. This car could be brought back to life with some attention. All of the under hood wiring labeled, done properly. Doesn't appear butchered at all. But a very odd color combination at best.
Other than ordering a Heritage Certificate, any ideas on how to obtain more info on this car?

 

superchargedtr6,

Interesting car. Have you got any pics we can see? I'm intrigued by the description of it being a TWR. TWR didn't enhance any cars after mid-1988 once the JaguarSport company had been set up. At that point, Jaguar introduced the official XJR-S. So, I'm not quite sure if you have a standard XJS where the previous owner has just found some TWR parts or something else. The situation is made more difficult by TWR-enhanced cars having standard VINs, so you can't work it out from that either. Unfortunately the TWR records are non-existent which sadly also doesn't help!

To cap it all, TWR just had a shopping list of enhancements from which owners chose. So there is no such thing as a standard TWR car. Some just chose the bodykit, some had the air intakes, some had the full 6.0 engine etc.

Photos would be great!

Paul

 

I have a few pics, but not sure how to get them from my phone to here. I've put the car in storage now, as I am building a new home with lots of garage space(s). Separate shops for mechanical vs cosmetic. The car may be just what you describe Paul. The body kit sure looks original to the car, and it has the TWR exhaust with the twin exhaust tips.
The drivetrain, exhaust system appears very original with every little bracket, screw, heat shields, etc being with it.
For the price, I still feel it worthy of spending some time with it, although it may be a few months before I get to, as other Jags are in line as well.