Description
Presented for sale is my lovely Jaguar XJ6 4. 2 Manual Overdrive restoration project.
If you're reading this, then the XJ6 probably needs no introduction to you, however for those of you who are new - please let me indulge...
The Series 1 XJ6 was a revolutionary car for Jaguar, which went on to become a staple of luxury on British roads for the best part of 40 years in various formats. This particular generation of Jaguar XJ6 is probably my favourite of the bunch - with the wide grille and chrome bumpers, harking back to the 420G, and larger saloons of old. However, the car was a complete change in format for Jaguar after the expansion of model ranges through the 1960s. The gamble at the time was to produce a single model to meet the global market demands for a Jaguar saloon. The Series 1 was therefore introduced in 1968; mechanically it still utilised the XK twin-cam engine with twin carburettors and retained the well established independent rear suspension found on earlier models. Front suspension was enhanced; as was the steering; Dunlop even produced special tyres for the car at the time. Stylistically the car still retained that quintessential 'Jaguar' appeal with the four headlight treatment but now with a less prominent radiator grille. A revised rear treatment incorporated a Coke bottle ‘kick’ over the rear wheel arches and a tapering rear end. Internally the car was also new but yet again retained much of the appeal and layout of earlier Jaguar models. Introduced with the standard 4. 2-litre XK engine from the 420, there was also a new configuration of 2. 8 litres to meet the demands of tax and fuel-conscious markets. The smaller 2. 8 engine was never used in any other models because of inherent problems with holing pistons, and poorer fuel economy than the 4. 2. The basic shell of the car remained in production right up until 1993 when the last (by this time Series 3) Daimler Double Six rolled off the factory floor at Browns Lane.
So what can I tell you about this particular car?
This particular XJ6 is the daddy, the very best that was made at the time. It is a genuine 'numbers matching' 4. 2 Manual Overdrive. This isn't a 4. 2 that's had a manual gearbox swap, or a 2. 8 with an engine swap - this is an all original, unmolested and fundamentally untouched car. It represents the rarest of the rare, and the very best format this car was available in at the time. It was first registered in January 1970, which meant it rolled out of the factory in late 1969, even before these had started to be offered as Daimlers, and before the Jaguar V12 was introduced either.
My specific interest in this car is rather odd, as I rescued it from a barn a few months ago when the days looked to be getting longer and I had intended to restore it (or rather, get the engine running, do a small amount of welding and drive it 'as is') this summer. However, I am rather heartbroken to announce that as if 'sod's law' could come calling any earlier, both my classic Mercedes, and my classic BMW have suffered neigh on catastrophic mechanical failures, which will eat all of my time, and sadly, all of my money.
I do collect classic Jaguars, and I really have far too many (11 and counting, and I have been told on no uncertain terms to get rid of some!) so it is with a heavy heart that this should go to a new, and loving, home.
So, I pulled this poor car out of the barn it had been sitting in since 2004. Thankfully, the barn kept most of the elements away, and the car has survived remarkably well, requiring less welding than the average Series 3 or XJ40 project. (Believe me, I have a 1987 Double Six, I know how bad these things can be!) All of the tyres hold air, and the car rolls well.
The red paint is flat, but not unsalvageable. The subframes are both "good", and the sills have a good amount of solid metal on them. The O/ S sill probably wants two new caps on the front and the back, but the midsection panel itself is very good and isn't being held together by paint or filler.
I'm also pleased to report that * all* of the floors are present and useable without replacement. The drivers' side has a small (10 pence sized) hole in it, which will probably require a 4-inch plate to correct.
The front wings are a bit scabby but not a total loss. The NSF wing has gone at the bottom towards the door, and the OSF wing has gone around the headlight. They are both repairable, and I might have the panels to do them somewhere, but you may also find it cheaper and more convenient to replace both.
The car never had a factory, or aftermarket vinyl roof fitted (these were not offered as early as this), nor has it had one of those ghastly aftermarket sunroofs - so it has thankfully been spared the typical roof corrosion that these inevitably suffered with if retrofitted.
Turning to the boot, everything is present and correct - the original spare wheel is there, as is the original jack, which works perfectly. Under the bonnet, everything on the 4. 2 XK Engine is available and ready to see. The battery was thankfully removed when it was dry stored, so there is no electrolyte corrosion to the tray, nor is there any serious inner wheel arch corrosion to speak of for the same reason. The engine is free and will turn by hand, and has plenty of oil on the dipstick. I have * not* attempted to start the car, as the radiator hoses have perished, and I don't actually have these parts spare.
The only place where this car wants major money spending is on the interior. The seats have dried up, and in all good conscience, I am not sure if leather feed will save them. However, I have not yet tried it - so I would encourage any purchaser to try this before consigning them to the skip. The carpets were so horrid that I have saved you the trouble, so the car has no carpets apart from the boot. On the plus side, I have treated all of the door cards, and they have come up almost like new. Both quarter-lights open, as do all four windows after I rebuilt the mechanisms. Inside the car, the steering is good, all of the switches move and nothing has rusted or seized up. The rear windscreen has damage, but I do have a spare from a Series 3 which I think will fit.
So what have I done during my ownership?
Well, quite a bit. I am a self-confessed Jaguar nut, and even after I sell this one, I will still own 10 of them. I’ve got an absolute wealth of spare parts, and I’ve been able to clean this car up significantly from the state in which she arrived. This has included the following:
1. Given the car a full wash and polish
The car * was* utterly filthy and horrid both inside and out. If you want to see just how far it's come, I'll send you the before pictures, where it wasn't even red.
2. Rebuilt all window winding mechanisms
These break on every XJ6, I've saved you a job - it's lucky I had the parts!
3. Reconditioned all four door cards
Were horrible, now presentable.
4. Turned engine by hand
The engine is good, it's certainly not seized.
And that, ladies, and gentlemen is it. I would encourage any would-be purchaser to come and view the car. It's not perfect, it * is* a project, and I want to be totally transparent about what needs to be taken on. I am happy to supply an endless stream of tea and cakes to anyone who wants to take the time to come and have a look, and I'll also answer any questions you have either over email or over the telephone.
This is a reluctant sale, but she needs to go, and when you come to see her - you'll see just * why* she needs to go, and how many cars I've got kicking about here.
Delivery available:
I understand that not everybody who is interested in the car may be able to come and view it. If we have a telephone conversation and you decide that you definitely want the car - I am able to arrange delivery to your location, anywhere in the UK 'at cost' with my trusted car-courier.
It goes without saying that this is a private sale, and I can offer no guarantee, nor are any warranty with the car, so please come and see it, nothing is hidden - I want to be as transparent as possible with this sale.
On a personal note, if you've made it this far then thank you for taking the time to read this advert, and I hope you will reach out to come over.
Ben
