This Jaguar XJ-S was found on Craiglist with a price cut from $7,400 to $3,500. Upon calling the owner representative, he offered more off to a bottom line $2,500. I figured why not take a shot at my first V12? The owner passed away and the car was stored by a relative. It was said to barely run and would not shift because of broken transmission linkage.
Follow my blog Restoration Wednesday on the Jaguar here.
Overview:
- Purchased September 1, 2021 from Detroit, Michigan with 62,149 miles
- VIN# SAJNV5849HC137722
- Off the road for 5-7 years
- Original paint code: HEN Jaguar Racing Green
- Leather interior in good nick trim code: ADE Biscuit
- Started but barely, a little scary, sounded like it was running on half its cylinders
- Shift linkage broken
- Steering broke and steering wheel spun freely when loaded on trailer
- Driver tail light smashed in plus corner metal bent
- Coolant fan pushed into housing causing a rub. Car was jacked up under radiator cross member bending everything
- Original radio, no cracks in dash, wood in good shape
- Had fresh documented oil change
- Coolant looked clean
Engine related work:
- Pulled fuel rail, cleaned injectors
- New fuel line and seals to all injectors
- New NGK TR5 spark plugs gap .025″
- New distributor cap and rotor
Body and interior work:
- Cleaned up interior, some mold was starting as evidenced by dots on the leather
- New driver tail light, bumped out and touched up dent there
- New antenna body rubber
Suspension, brakes and wheels:
- Pulled the rear sub-frame assembly
- New rotors and calipers, made new brake lines between the pistons on each caliper
- Replaced front shock tower rubber
