xj6 series2/3?

[sjc]

Ok, this'll be a holy thread resurrection batman!
My original intention at the start of this thread years ago was was to use a XJ series 2/3 as a daily, then the plan became a slightly newer XJ from the late 80's early 90's, (that also passed) and eventually as above a I got myself a mint 75 V6 instead. 70K miles later I still have it doing me proud in every day use..... but I'm now hankering for an old XJ again.....
So,I'll be 50 in January, and my pressie to myself is going to be a series 1 or series 2XJ or XJC (I appreciate the XJC will be much more money for the equivalent condition). I can't escape my very first childhood car memory of sitting between the front seats of a friends dad's 2.8 series 1 when I was aged 6, the iconic poster of the boy squeezed up at the glass thinking "one day one day", or indeed the grace of my old mans series 2 in lavender blue years later that I religiously cleaned.To add to it, he's getting on now, and I'd love to see his face if I turned up in one..
It will be very occasional use only this time, as much to smile and look at as anything else, maybe 1000 miles a year or so,and maybe stored in winter possibly.
I'm already excited, although the wife thinks I'm mad! There appears to be a decent choice at the moment in my price range, so I'm going to start the enquiries.
I assume Robert Hughes still has a good reputation, Miles Classics the same( they both have some nice examples), anyone else car to recommend elsewhere?

Edited by sjc on Tuesday 14th October 17:27

[deadslow]

I'd assume some of the Japanese imports might be rust free - they do like their jags.

[SV8Predator]

deadslow said:

I'd assume some of the Japanese imports might be rust free

Why would that be?

[deadslow]

SV8Predator said:

deadslow said:

I'd assume some of the Japanese imports might be rust free

Why would that be?

They generally seem to have a better climate than us for preserving cars, and these cars have had a strong following over there. only imho, of course

[sjc]

deadslow said:

SV8Predator said:

deadslow said:

I'd assume some of the Japanese imports might be rust free

Why would that be?

They generally seem to have a better climate than us for preserving cars, and these cars have had a strong following over there. only imho, of course

Agreed, there appears to be a few low mileage easy life imports from Japan.
And the bloody Series 1 at Robert Hughes sold yesterday.

[a8hex]

sjc said:

And the bloody Series 1 at Robert Hughes sold yesterday.

I believe that's why he has them.

[sjc]

Ok so the search so far includes..
A cheap series 3 V12 in Leigh-on-sea advertised as full main dealer history,which was true... up to 1998. A 4.2 coupe at top-ish money with various dissapointing aspects to it ,at an apparently well regarded dealer in Surrey who appeared to be even further up his arse than the journey I had to get there.The experience involved various meeting places in the town and an eventual 5 minute drive up the road with him at the wheel,with no offer of me taking over.The day ended elsewhere on the outskirts of Surrey viewing a red V12 coupe with an apparent complete restoration done a few years back,unfortunately it appears this didn't involve the engine which was down on one bank, the rear suspension that clunked,wallowed and sat on it's haunches,or indeed the respray that was done by Stevie Wonder and involved changing it from gold to red..... but not the engine bay.
More hopeful this week, looking at a really low mileage series 3 V12 back from Japan,and a Series 1 VDP that had an "80 grand" resto a few years back. shame they didn't keep the interior to spec, but it'll be interesting to see.Both look rather nice.

[tortop45]

sjc said:

Ok so the search so far includes..
A cheap series 3 V12 in Leigh-on-sea advertised as full main dealer history,which was true... up to 1998. A 4.2 coupe at top-ish money with various dissapointing aspects to it ,at an apparently well regarded dealer in Surrey who appeared to be even further up his arse than the journey I had to get there.The experience involved various meeting places in the town and an eventual 5 minute drive up the road with him at the wheel,with no offer of me taking over.The day ended elsewhere on the outskirts of Surrey viewing a red V12 coupe with an apparent complete restoration done a few years back,unfortunately it appears this didn't involve the engine which was down on one bank, the rear suspension that clunked,wallowed and sat on it's haunches,or indeed the respray that was done by Stevie Wonder and involved changing it from gold to red..... but not the engine bay.
More hopeful this week, looking at a really low mileage series 3 V12 back from Japan,and a Series 1 VDP that had an "80 grand" resto a few years back. shame they didn't keep the interior to spec, but it'll be interesting to see.Both look rather nice.

What sort of money were the coupes up for?.......

[sjc]

Both roughly 15k

[XJ Flyer]

Any of the V12 series 1-3 really needs to be budgeted to allow for a 6 litre engine upgrade and preferably a manual box and outboard rear brakes conversion in the offer figure.While structural condition like sills,floors,rear suspension attachment points and front cross members and inner wings are the most important aspects.Everything else can be dealt with and/or lived with without massive expense.

Edited by XJ Flyer on Monday 27th October 18:12

[deadslow]

R Hughes £16k

[sjc]

deadslow said:

R Hughes £16k

That car is referred to in my post above !!!

[sjc]

XJ Flyer said:

Any of the V12 series 1-3 really needs to be budgeted to allow for a 6 litre engine upgrade and preferably a manual box and outboard rear brakes conversion in the offer figure.While structural condition like sills,floors,rear suspension attachment points and front cross members and inner wings are the most important aspects.Everything else can be dealt with and/or lived with without massive expense.

Edited by XJ Flyer on Monday 27th October 18:12

I'm intrigued as to why you think I'd need to budget for a 6 litre and manual conversion ?

[deadslow]

sjc said:

deadslow said:

R Hughes £16k

That car is referred to in my post above !!!

Ah, how disappointing

[XJ Flyer]

sjc said:

XJ Flyer said:

Any of the V12 series 1-3 really needs to be budgeted to allow for a 6 litre engine upgrade and preferably a manual box and outboard rear brakes conversion in the offer figure.While structural condition like sills,floors,rear suspension attachment points and front cross members and inner wings are the most important aspects.Everything else can be dealt with and/or lived with without massive expense.

Edited by XJ Flyer on Monday 27th October 18:12

I'm intrigued as to why you think I'd need to budget for a 6 litre and manual conversion ?

Maybe I could have put it a bit clearer.What I meant was it is better to compromise on a 5.3 engine and/or trans amongst other things like tired IRS etc that might be past their sell by date if those issues are in an otherwise solid car structurally in all the usual important areas.When all the former can be sorted by those worthwhile and relatively affordable upgrades that will transform the performance of the car in the course of fixing those issues.While other issues like tired trim and knackered air con can all be lived with or fixed over a period.

As opposed to a car that needs serious structural work with a massively higher potential cost to the point of possibly having to scrap the car with resulting loss of the purchase price.

[tortop45]

XJ Flyer said:

sjc said:

XJ Flyer said:

Any of the V12 series 1-3 really needs to be budgeted to allow for a 6 litre engine upgrade and preferably a manual box and outboard rear brakes conversion in the offer figure.While structural condition like sills,floors,rear suspension attachment points and front cross members and inner wings are the most important aspects.Everything else can be dealt with and/or lived with without massive expense.

Edited by XJ Flyer on Monday 27th October 18:12

I'm intrigued as to why you think I'd need to budget for a 6 litre and manual conversion ?

Maybe I could have put it a bit clearer.What I meant was it is better to compromise on a 5.3 engine and/or trans amongst other things like tired IRS etc that might be past their sell by date if those issues are in an otherwise solid car structurally in all the usual important areas.When all the former can be sorted by those worthwhile and relatively affordable upgrades that will transform the performance of the car in the course of fixing those issues.While other issues like tired trim and knackered air con can all be lived with or fixed over a period.

As opposed to a car that needs serious structural work with a massively higher potential cost to the point of possibly having to scrap the car with resulting loss of the purchase price.

Ive got to agree with the manual gear box on the back of the V12 in a coupe,thats what ive got .It goes like a rocket........

[sjc]

I'm not buying for pace,nor have the need for a manual box in a wafty saloon/coupe. I've got a 400 bhp per ton toy that does all of that, and handles steers and stops better than stuff several times it's value.
This is simply a nostalgia trip, something to look and smile at,and do a couple of thousand gentle miles a year in on sunny days.

[mph]

sjc said:

I'm not buying for pace,nor have the need for a manual box in a wafty saloon/coupe. I've got a 400 bhp per ton toy that does all of that, and handles steers and stops better than stuff several times it's value.
This is simply a nostalgia trip, something to look and smile at,and do a couple of thousand gentle miles a year in on sunny days.

Now that your intended usage has changed perhaps you'll consider other versions of the XJ range.

As a "classic" car I prefer the S1 XJ6 over the later versions. My other choice would be a coupe.

Either of these should also hold their value well.

Would an XJS be on your radar or does it have to be a saloon ?

[sjc]

mph said:

Now that your intended usage has changed perhaps you'll consider other versions of the XJ range.

As a "classic" car I prefer the S1 XJ6 over the later versions. My other choice would be a coupe.

Either of these should also hold their value well.

Would an XJS be on your radar or does it have to be a saloon ?

Deffo will be a series1/2/3 or XJC.
I'm hoping to look at a green series 1 DVP at Runnymede Motors and a Jap import 23K mile Series 3 V12 elsewhere in the next few days.

[LordLoveLength]

There is a 4.2C and a series 2 up for auction on Friday at Anglia Classic auctions.
Also a couple of X308s...