It has been quite a while since i've posted on the X100 forum as I've spent more time commenting on the X150 site. There is an explanation in that eight or nine months ago, my son was using my car to commute to work while his XJ8 was giving him problems, and he sideswiped a parked truck's tire that was turned out. It dragged along the front and rear quarter panels as well as the door on the driver's side and left the car looking terrible. I couldn't bare to look at it as I kept it in nearly pristine condition even though I spent more time driving my X150 XKR most of the time. Letting it sit, rotting away in front of my house was not an option, so I made the emotional, yet financially stupid decision to restore the car back to new.

The first thing to do was to repair the body damage, respray the whole car, replace the convertible top with a new one, and fix a few things that I wanted done. After all the car has over 170,000 miles on it, it's entitiled to have a few issues. I didn't want to do all of this work without freshening the engine and suspension, so I had the engine rebuilt, have ordered new shocks, bushings, etc., and am proceeding to get the car restored to almost new. It's about to go in for paint, as it's been stripped, convertible top is being replaced next week, and hopefully I'll have the car back in the next month or two. I won't be heartbroken looking at it anymore, and I will feel free and less sad to participate on the forum again.

It's good to be back.

 

I am curious regarding the total amount you will spend to bring the car back up to your standards. Care to share a ballpark figure?

 

I don't have a total figure yet, however, I would guess that it's going to be in the $15000 neighborhood. And it's not a total body off restoration, but rebuilt engine, shocks, new drilled rotors and brakes, new convertible top, new paint and a few other upgrades.

 

First, glad to have you back among us X100 folks. I have had mine since new and will be setting out this summer for some major renovations for the old girl.
With a 112,000 miles she is starting to show her age.
I am probably much like yourself, the car was never an investment, it was the joy of the Jaguar experience so cost isn't a consideration. Good luck with your repairs and happy motoring.

 

Ouch! I would be far too economics-driven to sink that kind of money into it. But as long as you love the car, intend to keep it indefinitely, and realize that refurbishing it is an expense rather than an investment, enjoy the process and the pleasure this car brings to you....

 

bravo, this sounds wonderful and you will have a car where you know the history and how the restoration work was performed. where can you buy a new 75k USD for 15. if you think about it that way and really like the car, you win. happy driving, hope that you enjoy for many miles and years.

 

I have never bought a car as an investment, and obviously investing $15-20K into a car that I could replace for probably under $10K is not a "wise" investment. But, I have put over 110,000 on this car since I bought her with about 60,000 miles on it over the past 8 or 9 years, I know how it was maintained, I enjoyed having my first converible, and had the top down about 350 days a year, and I still find it one of the most sensual designs ever. It still garners more compliments than any car I've ever owned. I couldn't buy a 5 year old Toyota Camry for the kind of money and I'll have an almost new Jaguar XKR that I love. So it's an investment in my joy and happiness. It will never drive, handle or be as maintenance free as my X150 5.0L XKR, but it will always give me that grand feeling when I'm behind the wheel, looking at a forest of burl, wind blowing through what little hair I have left.

And in the next 3 weeks, I get my other "cat," my 1972 Pantera, back from a 3 year moderate restoration to complete my garage for the time being.

I can't wait to be driving all 3 of my felines soon.

 

Congrats. I’d love to see paintwork pics. We rarely get to see X100’s taken bare, so please share pics :-)

 

i'll try to get some pics, this week, before it goes into paint.

 

Update!
All four shocks, all new springs have arrived and will be installed in the next couple of days. New drilled and grooved rotors and performance brake pads arriving momentarily, so by next week, the car goes in for paint. Can't wait to put the top down and start driving her again. Update on Pantera, last of the interior leather upgrades are being installed this week, and with a little luck I could have it this weekend but more likely next weekend. Again, can barely contain myself waiting to drive again for the first time in 3 1/2 years with over 500hp and 550ft/lbs, new headers/exhaust, all new leather seats and full leather interior, and new flush windshield and new paint, it should be like a new car only better than when it was new. Stay tuned for both cars' updates...

 

Madness

Good on ya' and enjoy. Looking forward to the 'after' pics.

 

Sad story; happy ending! Looking forward to your (inspiring) updates!

 

New shocks on all four corners installed, new drilled and slotted rotors and pads, installed, new top was supposed to be installed yesterday, car finally goes for paint next week. Can't wait to get it back, put the top down, and alternate with my X150. Update on my restored Pantera, hopefully due back at the end of next week. Some problems with the C4 Corvette seats bolting to seat rails had to be ironed out, but they should be installed next week, new paint buffed out, and the rest of the interior put back together. Nearly 4 years since I've driven the big cat.

 

I think the X150 is a beautiful car but it's sill a ways behind an X100. I rank em E-Type, X100, X150. The 90's XJS12 and XJS are nice too.

 

Don,
I happen to agree with you on the looks of the X100 vs. X150, but the engine, suspension, and handling of the X150 vs. the X100 is not even in the same universe. Having said that, I still love my X100 which is why I'm going through its complete revitalization.

 

I'm sure. I've not driven an X150 yet. Maybe when it's time to get rid of the 2005 XKR. Naw, I think I'll keep it for a long time.

 

In the paint booth today, getting closer!