looks great, keep posting please,

 

Next step is to finish the welds on hatch and then epoxy prime it.

Then start work on C-pillar sheet metal. I have to build the inner sheet metal of the C-pillar and figure out how to mount the interior ventilation plate (from a Ford F-150). Referencing the article about British engineering, the original interior ventilation plate for the Jaguar XJS was aluminum flaps mounted with fabric hinges, 4 of 6 on my car were broken off.

After interior sheet metal then exterior sheet metal of C-pillar which may turn out to be quite hard given the curves back there.

 

 

 

I like the hommage to the XJ-S butresses in C-pillar shake...

 

Yeahhhh, that's what I was trying to do...

Lol, thats not what I was thinking but you're right! God was working through me.

 

 

This is really turning out well!

 

Just amazing how much can be accomplished with enough effort and focus.

Really like how this is coming together. Changes the whole look of the XJS.
Looking forward to seeing this come together. Keep up the good work.

 

Where do you plan on fitting the tank and how will it be filled? Are you going to fit one where the former spare wheel and lower boot space was? Or are you fitting a fuel cell instead (more rugged incase of a rear impact)?

The overall looks so far are really pleasing! There are some spots I would have done (if I could weld ) different, but heck, overall results so far by what I can see on these pictures are really good!

 

You've done an excellent job. The shape looks very good. I anticipate that the final product is going to be wonderful.

Mark

 

Wow! What a thread and a fantastic looking XJS.

 

Fuel will come from a fuel cell will be from SummitRacing, mounted in the spare tire well as you suggested (good eye). Fuel Filler will come an XJS convertible fuel filler (just scored one on eBay for $40 shipped! Normally they are priced at $90) which is a flip-up style filler. This is what Lynx used on the first cars, later converting to a more modern fill door. I'm going to re-chrome the filler, and chrome the hatch hinges to give it a more 60's look.

 

I spent today making the side window trim. The Optic Armor windows will be mounted to the body with either a sealant or 2 sided tape. Then, on top of the windows will be these frames, which serve to hold the window flush and serve as decorative trim

I used 3/4" steel flat bar for the frame. After determining the sizing, I tacked the frame together. Then, I drilled holes through the window frame through the window flange on the car body and inserted small machine screws into the holes and then welded over the screw heads, grinding it off flush.

 

 

 

 

 

You could get fancy & make the side windows hinge up...

 

Building this car has given me new appreciation for the complexity of modern cars and the details they have. For example, your window idea (I know you're joking BTW), sealing up these fixed windows is a bit of an engineering challenge but one I expect to be successful at. But making a window hinge and also seal perfectly? for 200k miles?? Thats amazing.