Delightfully Shambolic Jaguar XJ40 - Back to Magnificent

[beko1987]

Stuff

Wow, I want to buy one now I've read that. Top beardage there!

[purplebargeken]

All excellent advice, go for it man, go for it.

 

The 2.9 was woeful but provided many parts

[phil_lihp]

Excellent advice all round with particular thanks to Magnificent Rustbucket, that must have taken a while to write!  Very, very useful and confidence-inspiring, not least on the basis that there seems to be plenty of willing victims standing by once I've had enough of it.

 

I do agree on choosing condition over colour, I really did have my heart set on the cream leather/red piping/red carpets combo but at the end of the day I'd rather have a slightly less appealing interior attached to a car that isn't going to hit me over the head and steal my wallet every time I try to drive it.

 

A couple of years ago I saw an early-ish XJ40 on eBay, possibly the worst possible spec and therefore irresistible.  Flat red, 2.9, cloth seats, manual - plus it had been sat in someone's driveway for two years.  The description optimistically suggested that it all worked and ran well but I was outbid early on, I've wanted one ever since.

[MarvinsMom]

DO IT!!

 

GET ONE BOUGHT!!

 

YOU WON'T* REGRET IT!!

 

(probably)

[mercrocker]

I,too, am very grateful for the M.Rustbucket pocket* guide to successful Jaggage. Printed and filed. I have been harbouring intent for one of these before it gets added to "Shit I Bottled From Buying Now Cannot Afford"

[xtriple]

Just do it, you are a long time dead.

 

I have never had a '40' but I have had series threes (in the hundreds!) and x300s and they are lovely cars to drive. I rebelled against the styling of the 40s as it didn't 'look' like a proper Jaguar to me - I would still rather have a 300/308 than a 40!

 

But, the 40 does have its adherents and is a great car to drive, so I'm told. Petrol consumption worries? N'ah, single figures is where it's at man, get a V12!

[eddyramrod]

Life's too short to fret about an MPG or two here and there.  Do it!  My 4.2 S2 was a shock fuel-wise, but I sucked it up and drove the fecker daily, it was a blast.  I'd have a 40 if time and price worked out.  Yes, your preferred interior is the stuff of dreams, but I'm sure whatever's fitted will be a nice place to sit.  While you swing the tail out on your commute....

[djimbob]

Wonderful advice from Mr Magnificent, who I strongly suspect is my favourite poster on XJ40.com, which I used to be a member of also, but have not posted on for many moons since flogging my last Daimler, a six litre V12.

 

I have had a povvo spec early 2.9, awful build quality and underpowered, a couple of four litre 93 L reg's, one of which I scrapped for parts - the late models like these are the best generally as MR has suggested I think, as good a fuel consumption as the smaller engines, and a far superior power delivery etc - and of course the V12 which one should avoid like the fucking plague for many economic reasons, but if you love tinkering your life away and impressing the young and simple, fill yer boots!

 

They almost all have sagging headliners due to damp from water ingression in a number of known places, which is made worse by opening windows to clear condensation as the aircon very rarely works on a car a normal person can afford - get one with a full MOT and just drive it until it runs out, then make the decision to keep or Ebay on.

 

I personally am keen on getting the more modern S type, but don't be put off the '40, the engine and gearbox are generally bombproof, especially the four litre, a good one will be a proper fun drive and you will feel like a true Winner.

 

Electrics are fine if kept dry, check under all the carpets in the front footwells, which contain a fuse box nearby - the left hand side one is notorious for buggering up, and on the plus side, the many, many speakers make for a brilliant sound system - best I've ever heard and owned, and I've had a boat load of old luxury barges from all the big guns - Jaaaags rule on this

Occasionally a member of the XJ40 forum will have a brain melt and attempt to flog their pride and joy onto other forum members, who of course all have one of their own, and will be prepared to take a fair offer - this is the best way to buy one if you must, and are not in a rush, but I understand the joy of the impulse buy.

 

For me the '40 is the first classic Jag to be used as an everyday hack without fear of mechanical death on a daily basis, anything older is just asking for trouble, but prices will be on the rise soon if not already, and shiters will be bagging the x and s types for the money '40's used to command, i.e bugger all.

 

I mentioned on another thread I had a used headliner, and China Tom expressed an interest if it was cream, but alas it's not, it's the grey ish colour (MR to my rescue here please!) - so bear that in mind if you do buy one - cheap to fellow Shiters of course

 

There is something really special about a big old Jag, definitely one to tick off the bucket list, makes the competition feel soulless in my humble, so go for it, or something similar a bit newer, can't go wrong.

 

And finally, the fishtanks on the higher spec models grow on you, so look for them if possible, or not, your choice

[xtriple]

I had a 4.2 series 2 XJ when I was a young man, Immediate predecessor was a 2.0 litre Capri Ghia (just call me 'Dell') and the adjustment to the fuel consumption was a real bloody shock! It did manage early teens most of the time but after a few days, you really stop worrying and just enjoy the waft! Even a tired, neglected old Jag(uar) is a wonderful, cosseting place to be. They are not fast as such but torquey  and relaxed and usually much faster than you imagine!

 

They are hard to define really, they are NOT as good as the German equivalents in any quantifiable measure but just feel so much more 'special' to be in. You sit lower in softer seats and NVH seems much lower. The cars are an untroubled place to go bankrupt in!

 

Having had a load of Jaguars (straight 6 and V12) I tried Mercedes and they are very different and don't feel as good... to begin with. Their quality shines through over the many miles whereas a Jaguar will begin to feel a bit 'baggy' and sloppy in comparison over miles.

 

Driving any Jaguar though is still an epic experience and one I never tire off.

 

Get one bought you lightweight!

[Royale80]

Here's one-WCPGW?

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-Jaguar-XJ-Sovereign-Salvage-Category-D-049278-/161912950313?hash=item25b2c38e29:g:uawAAOSw8-tWVIkA

[eddyramrod]

I had a 4.2 series 2 XJ when I was a young man, Immediate predecessor was a 2.0 litre Capri Ghia

You lightweight!  Immediately before mine I was driving a 1979 Cadillac with a 7.0 V8!  And still the XK engine's thirst was a shock!

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Mr Rustbucket hath pretty much covered everything there   Need to print this out and offer it out to all XJ40 Buyers

I'm printing it off to have up at work we've a couple in at the moment and I haven't a clue about them.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

Wonderful advice from Mr Magnificent, who I strongly suspect is my favourite poster on XJ40.com, which I used to be a member of also, but have not posted on for many moons since flogging my last Daimler, a six litre V12.

 

I have had a povvo spec early 2.9, awful build quality and underpowered, a couple of four litre 93 L reg's, one of which I scrapped for parts - the late models like these are the best generally as MR has suggested I think, as good a fuel consumption as the smaller engines, and a far superior power delivery etc - and of course the V12 which one should avoid like the fucking plague for many economic reasons, but if you love tinkering your life away and impressing the young and simple, fill yer boots!

 

They almost all have sagging headliners due to damp from water ingression in a number of known places, which is made worse by opening windows to clear condensation as the aircon very rarely works on a car a normal person can afford - get one with a full MOT and just drive it until it runs out, then make the decision to keep or Ebay on.

 

I personally am keen on getting the more modern S type, but don't be put off the '40, the engine and gearbox are generally bombproof, especially the four litre, a good one will be a proper fun drive and you will feel like a true Winner.

 

Electrics are fine if kept dry, check under all the carpets in the front footwells, which contain a fuse box nearby - the left hand side one is notorious for buggering up, and on the plus side, the many, many speakers make for a brilliant sound system - best I've ever heard and owned, and I've had a boat load of old luxury barges from all the big guns - Jaaaags rule on this

Occasionally a member of the XJ40 forum will have a brain melt and attempt to flog their pride and joy onto other forum members, who of course all have one of their own, and will be prepared to take a fair offer - this is the best way to buy one if you must, and are not in a rush, but I understand the joy of the impulse buy.

 

For me the '40 is the first classic Jag to be used as an everyday hack without fear of mechanical death on a daily basis, anything older is just asking for trouble, but prices will be on the rise soon if not already, and shiters will be bagging the x and s types for the money '40's used to command, i.e bugger all.

 

I mentioned on another thread I had a used headliner, and China Tom expressed an interest if it was cream, but alas it's not, it's the grey ish colour (MR to my rescue here please!) - so bear that in mind if you do buy one - cheap to fellow Shiters of course

 

There is something really special about a big old Jag, definitely one to tick off the bucket list, makes the competition feel soulless in my humble, so go for it, or something similar a bit newer, can't go wrong.

 

And finally, the fishtanks on the higher spec models grow on you, so look for them if possible, or not, your choice

 

 

I daren't say who I am on xj40.com now because of the very real chance you may say, "oh no, sorry! - I thought you were someone else!!" 

 

There's not so much evidence for me to work with only 36 posts by you to go on! Very few people have owned a V12 though - they're really quite rare. Two questions to narrow it down.

 

1) When you had the six litre V12, was your other veh-hic-le powered by 7.2 litres of MOPAR?

 

2)Do you recognise this fine conveyance?

 

 

 

 

It's my old Rustbucket that's 'magnificent' - in much the same way as the Great Flydini was 'great', of course! It was really quite rusty when I joined here.

 

 

 

I had forgotten about the left hand footwell fuse boxes getting wet through rust around the loom grommet on the inner wing/door pillar. The fuse boxes can suffer dry solder joints too - though I wonder how often this tendency has been exacerbated by hauling the fuse box around trying to find the footwell leak...

 

the grey headliners are called 'Savile grey', there are two beige colours - 'doeskin' and 'limestone'.

[warren t claim]

Didn't some of these come with expensive metric tyres?

[djimbob]

I daren't say who I am on xj40.com now because of the very real chance you may say, "oh no, sorry! - I thought you were someone else!!" 

 

There's not so much evidence for me to work with only 36 posts by you to go on! Very few people have owned a V12 though - they're really quite rare. Two questions to narrow it down.

 

1) When you had the six litre V12, was your other veh-hic-le powered by 7.2 litres of MOPAR?

 

2)Do you recognise this fine conveyance?

 

 

 

 

It's my old Rustbucket that's 'magnificent' - in much the same way as the Great Flydini was 'great', of course! It was really quite rusty when I joined here.

 

 

 

I had forgotten about the left hand footwell fuse boxes getting wet through rust around the loom grommet on the inner wing/door pillar. The fuse boxes can suffer dry solder joints too - though I wonder how often this tendency has been exacerbated by hauling the fuse box around trying to find the footwell leak...

 

the grey headliners are called 'Savile grey', there are two beige colours - 'doeskin' and 'limestone'.

Ha ha, knew it was you Mr D,

 

yes that was my vanden plas, I am still in the classic car shite restoration club it wound up at, occasionally have the urge to buy it back, but then I sober up

 

You probably have more photos of my past shite than I do from the '40 forum, I'm probably better suited on here

[phil_lihp]

I think the silver one is out, the seller gave me the reg number and although they claim it has no rust, its MOT history involves a lot of corrosion issues including an advisory at the last one which expired a couple of months ago.

 

This one's got my eye although it's been off the road for over a year now, he wants about £500 for it and its MOT history suggests it is/was sound as it only really had routine fails and advisories for tyres etc, although it obviously has issues now.  Is that A-pillar rot a massive no-no?  I'm suspecting it is.  Also many miles on it, nearly 160k, 

 

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C648409#

 

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

It can be repaired - thought with a new windscreen and paint it will be a good few hundred quid. The viability of it depends on the state of the rest of the car - what's it like underneath? The bulkhead, etc.

[djimbob]

It can be repaired - thought with a new windscreen and paint it will be a good few hundred quid. The viability of it depends on the state of the rest of the car - what's it like underneath? The bulkhead, etc.

 

pain in the bum to be doing all that, but wouldn't worry about the mileage, the engines and boxes are bombproof - stood for a year outside is very bad, they need driving to blow dry them, as do most cars of course - it does look like the right year, colour etc.

 

Scary how the price of a non tested car has rocketed for '40's now, used to be the price of a fully tested one not so long ago

[phil_lihp]

Well, that was the 'what price are you after' answer I got from him but I think it's probably not worth that, personally it's rather a big risk, it's across the other side of the country in Essex, front brake pads are out so probably seized calipers, that windscreen area rot puts me off quite a lot having seen what was lurking lower down on the bulkhead on MR's car and as has been said, it's been sat.  Cheap or not I think that one will be a lot of hassle. 

 

The purple one is still top of the very short list right now, I need to shift the Prelude though before I can make any proper moves.

[Dippy]

These are wonderful cars, I had a digi dash version many years ago when I was 24, it was only a few years old with 100,000 miles on it but it looked and ran like a brand new car.

 

Many people where i worked were buying new base model Escorts for much more than I paid for it but they just didnt know how cheap they were 2nd hand. I will always remember my union steward coming to me with a right bollocking because they had been negotiating a wage rise and one of the directors said if we could afford to run Jags we could FRO.

 

I must admit to parking it as close to the directors bay as possible because they were all pissed after the company takeover when there BMWs were replaced with Rovers  . I had it for a year but with redundancy looming and a baby on the way I decided to get rid.

[Angry Sheep]

I was seriously looking at buying one of these last year. Got bored of driving around looking at shagged ones being sold by Arthur Daley wannabes.

 

The icing on the cake was one I went to see in Essex on a wet evening.

 

Phone call:

 

"Is it your car, with the log book in your name?"

"Yes."

"Is there any rust on it anywhere?"

"No."

"Can I come and look at it?"

 

Fast forward a few hours...

 

"What it is, mate, I bought it from auction for my mrs. But she doesn't like it, so I'm selling it."

"Yeah, I see the front passenger floorpan is made of filler..."

"Yeah, well it was an MOT failure when I bought it, so I fixed it myself and the tester commented what a good job I'd done."

"Erm... any history with it?"

"No, because I got it from auction, but look at what I found in the boot."

 

At that point he fetched the order of service for the previous owner's funeral. That was the history he had for it.

 

If you find a good one, I'll be very jealous. I love them. Oh, and there are still two pub landlords near me who own them.

[LC Torana]

"Erm... any history with it?"

"No, because I got it from auction, but look at what I found in the boot."

 

At that point he fetched the order of service for the previous owner's funeral. That was the history he had for it.

 

I've just publicly embarrassed myself by laughing out loud.

 

I suppose it is historical information concerning the car, of a sort.

[phil_lihp]

This can only end well...

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-Sovereign-4-Ltr-Metallic-Green-/161940945858?hash=item25b46ebbc2:g:kgUAAOSwT~9Wj~Dw&autorefresh=true

 

I absolutely love it, first saw it all of 10 minutes ago so all necessary research completed (hurried look at MOT history).  Oh, and a 6 hour drive to get home too.  Might yet get outbid but there's a big space between the current price and my (slightly arbitrary) top bid!

[egg]

This would worry me a bit though 

 

'heavy corrosion to bulkhead' 'General corrosion to underside of vehicle'.

[phil_lihp]

That's the one before, it's not mentioned on the current test and the ad says it's had some bodywork done recently so I'm hopefully it's fairly solid! I'm not expecting miracles though.

[RobT]

Good luck Phil! If you win it I'll drive you down from London to Hastings if you like, assuming you'd be training in to Paddington first.

[Bren]

Corrosion in the bulkhead is the biggie - I would look for another.

 

May god go with you.

[RobT]

If it stays cheap i.e sub 600 might still be worth a shot though...

 

Edit: £460 is a barg, was it you? I do hope so!

[phil_lihp]

Yep! I'm calling that a success. Fingers crossed it isn't too crusty. Thanks for the offer Rob, I'll see what dates work and let you know.

[MarvinsMom]

even if it is as rotten as a pear, then you can have a good drive around in it, find out if you like them and then break it up or scrap it?

 

i know i like mine, and will have another one in a heart beat.