My V12 Sized Gamble
Discussion
I feel the need to continue where LewG finished, but I'm not sure that I can do justice to his amazing thread.
I recently bought LewG's 1987 Jaguar XJ-S V12 after spotting it for sale on the Pistonheads website, and I was introduced to his 'A V12 Sized Gamble' thread, thanks to a friend of mine. Here Lew painstakingly documented all the mechanical restoration work that he completed, pictures and all. So I feel it's only right to continue documenting the Jag's next phase in it's 28 year life.
I don't have anywhere near the talents that Lew has (he is amazingly talented mechanically and has a huge enthusiasm for cars), so owning this car will be a steep learning curve for me, but I have bought my dream car; a car that I have dreamed of owning for 32 years, so I feel privileged to be the next owner of this amazing, beautiful purring machine.
And it really is lovely. It has a beautiful V12 burble thanks to a Stainless Steel exhaust that Lew fitted and it drives with effortless waftiness. It even has that lovely leathery smell inside, too - just like an old Jag should have.
So, once I had the Jag home I made a start by replacing the two front tyres with a couple of new Pirelli P600's (to match the back). I have also replaced the headlight bulbs with Philips Xtreme Vision 130% H4 bulbs (one was out, so why not go for some bright ones) and I've given the car a good polish. Next up, and with thanks to LewG for supplying the parts with the car, I will have the front springs fitted, the bushes replaced and a new a/c compressor installed and gassed, then an oil and filter change before heading off to the MoT station for a new certificate (fingers crossed).
My only gripe is that the weather has absolutely sucked since I bought the car, so I have had little opportunity to fire up that big V12 and go for a wafty drive through the countryside. Still, it's only been two weeks...
I recently bought LewG's 1987 Jaguar XJ-S V12 after spotting it for sale on the Pistonheads website, and I was introduced to his 'A V12 Sized Gamble' thread, thanks to a friend of mine. Here Lew painstakingly documented all the mechanical restoration work that he completed, pictures and all. So I feel it's only right to continue documenting the Jag's next phase in it's 28 year life.
I don't have anywhere near the talents that Lew has (he is amazingly talented mechanically and has a huge enthusiasm for cars), so owning this car will be a steep learning curve for me, but I have bought my dream car; a car that I have dreamed of owning for 32 years, so I feel privileged to be the next owner of this amazing, beautiful purring machine.
And it really is lovely. It has a beautiful V12 burble thanks to a Stainless Steel exhaust that Lew fitted and it drives with effortless waftiness. It even has that lovely leathery smell inside, too - just like an old Jag should have.
So, once I had the Jag home I made a start by replacing the two front tyres with a couple of new Pirelli P600's (to match the back). I have also replaced the headlight bulbs with Philips Xtreme Vision 130% H4 bulbs (one was out, so why not go for some bright ones) and I've given the car a good polish. Next up, and with thanks to LewG for supplying the parts with the car, I will have the front springs fitted, the bushes replaced and a new a/c compressor installed and gassed, then an oil and filter change before heading off to the MoT station for a new certificate (fingers crossed).
My only gripe is that the weather has absolutely sucked since I bought the car, so I have had little opportunity to fire up that big V12 and go for a wafty drive through the countryside. Still, it's only been two weeks...
|http://thumbsnap.com/xUNPhDYH
A little update. A shiny new Hirschmann AUTA 6000 KE-F aerial arrived today, courtesy of eBay, leaving me £115 lighter. Checking out Jaguar heritage websites, these are going for £180, so I got a reasonable deal I think.
I need to replace the dashboard bulbs as the light output from them is patchy and dim. And with a big wafty V12 up front, and a slightly heavy foot, i'm worried that I will get nicked cos I couldn't read the dials at night. I'm thinking of replacing them with LED back lights to give a sharp, crisp, long lasting light. I've seen a few websites that offer the kit, and the light output looks impressive.
I stumbled across this article, which got me thinking about it: http://www.xclusively-jaguar.co.uk/xclusively-jagu...
Has anyone else tried this?
I need to replace the dashboard bulbs as the light output from them is patchy and dim. And with a big wafty V12 up front, and a slightly heavy foot, i'm worried that I will get nicked cos I couldn't read the dials at night. I'm thinking of replacing them with LED back lights to give a sharp, crisp, long lasting light. I've seen a few websites that offer the kit, and the light output looks impressive.
I stumbled across this article, which got me thinking about it: http://www.xclusively-jaguar.co.uk/xclusively-jagu...
Has anyone else tried this?
Edited by Bodie037 on Tuesday 28th July 18:36
LewG said:
Thoroughly looking forward to following her progress! Sorry I forgot to mention the dials, you're right they are pants, they were the same in my mate's XJS too so it's not this one alone. If you look underneath the dash to the left of the steering wheel from what I remember there's an adjustment knob for the brightness of the dash lights, apparently this can be a problem
No worries, LewG. I'm looking forward to the investigating and tinkering part of ownership. And thanks for the tip regarding the dimmer knob, I'll take a look at that, too.LanceRS said:
Found this, reminds me why I like these so much.
http://youtu.be/pIMQGk4xQqM
I think a road trip is in order?
I think you're right, but first up are front springs, bushes, air con, belts and MoT, courtesy of Den (fitting) and with thanks to Lew for the parts. Hopefully I'll have it back in the road early August, then we can plan a road trip. North Norfolk roads are epic.http://youtu.be/pIMQGk4xQqM
I think a road trip is in order?
p.s. I enjoyed the YouTube clip. Not sure we'll make it to Monaco, though.
Edited by Bodie037 on Wednesday 29th July 22:06
LanceRS said:
Found this, reminds me why I like these so much.
http://youtu.be/pIMQGk4xQqM
I think a road trip is in order?
A favourite of mine from Harry's Garage is his XJ12 C complete with rare manual gearbox conversion. Epic car: https://youtu.be/7TMgIkx40tIhttp://youtu.be/pIMQGk4xQqM
I think a road trip is in order?
LewG said:
Superb video, I love watching Harry's Garage but my god those early cars were ugly! The one trip I always wanted to do in it was down to the south of France or something, just what it was built to do. No doubt it'll be far nicer with working air con! For the whole hour it worked when I had it regassed it was lovely..
I'm toying with a trip to Le Mans next year. My cousin went with a friend in his Caterham this year, so I think he's eyeing up a bit of comfort for next year. It has to be done, really.LewG said:
That'll be brilliant! https://youtu.be/95MhCNKf7CA
Have a peek at that when you get a chance, oh the noise
Holy crap, what have they done to that? It sounds like F1 cars in the good old days (circa mid 80's).Have a peek at that when you get a chance, oh the noise
LanceRS said:
Saw this a while ago, still looks amazing. Impressive how fast it looks on a street circuit. I wouldn't try it on the way to Le Mans anymore though, Le plod are always out in force and you'd spend as much in fines as you would in fuel.
I would of course drive in a gentlemanly way en-route to Le Mans and hence avoid 'un ticket de speeding de le plod'. Hopefully I will just be stopping for petrol and not on the receiving end of une fine.
We'll, it's been a few weeks since the last update. The Jag now has 12 months MoT - Happy days. A full service has been completed, auxiliary belts have been changed (the alternator belt was hanging on by threads and hence it no longer charged the car, but all fixed now), electric drivers side window now works, passenger side window switch has been replaced with one that has markings on it, a new electric aerial has been fitted and the Air con compressor has been replaced. Twice. Unfortunately it has a tendancy to catch fire, so we think something else is wrong with the air con that is causing the compressor to give a pleasant fireworks display. No harm done to the car, by the way.
My exBMW master technician mate is going to take a compressor apart to find evidence of the cause, then we'll work back from there. It will get sorted, just needs time and a bit of money.
A couple of things to be done over the next month are to replace the rear radius arms (bushes are past their best) and perhaps tackle the dashboard lights, or lack of them.
The car drives like an absolute dream and I have been rumbling around in it for the last few days. Off to Woking tomorrow morning with LanceRS for a nice drive and a bacon buttie and coffee. Not looking forward to a 06:00 start
My exBMW master technician mate is going to take a compressor apart to find evidence of the cause, then we'll work back from there. It will get sorted, just needs time and a bit of money.
A couple of things to be done over the next month are to replace the rear radius arms (bushes are past their best) and perhaps tackle the dashboard lights, or lack of them.
The car drives like an absolute dream and I have been rumbling around in it for the last few days. Off to Woking tomorrow morning with LanceRS for a nice drive and a bacon buttie and coffee. Not looking forward to a 06:00 start
A few days ago, in between crap weather, I took the Jag out for a long run driving aimlessly around the countryside of the home counties hour after hour. It had been many weeks since I drove it last and I had forgotten how much I liked the car, so I will have to make a regular effort to get out in between crap weather days.
I did bump (not literally) into my friend LanceRS and had a nice cup of tea at his house followed by many of the most delicious home made chocolate brownies that his wife made. Sorry James - I scoffed all of your brownies and probably several thousand calories.
On another note, the windscreen wiper squirty jets decided to pack up just as we have entered the soggy season, so I will have some tinkering to do. First analysis was with the fuse box - all good. Next was to make sure everything was connected, which it was. Being the mechanical numpty that I am, I will have to figure this one out somehow starting with a search on Google, of course.
Next year the shiny new radius arms will go on and then further investigation as to why the a/c doesn't work. My friend kindly offered to dismantle one of the compressors to find evidence of why it sparked and died after installation. Twice.
Oh, and since driving it in the dark, I have no idea what speed I'm doing as the the bulbs are so dim I couldn't actually see the dials, but my Garmin SatNav kindly read out my speed and told me where the cameras were. Thanks Garmin. But after a little research I have found a company that sells an LED kit for all interior bulbs. Tempting...
Apart from that, there's not much wrong with it which is amazing considering the 29 years that it has been rumbling around. I thank LewG for resurrecting this car and nurturing it back to health before passing it on to me so he could pursue other amazing cars such as an XJ-R - yummy.
Anyway, I'm sure I have more fun stories to write about next year, so I'll keep you all posted with its progress. Merry Christmas everyone.
I did bump (not literally) into my friend LanceRS and had a nice cup of tea at his house followed by many of the most delicious home made chocolate brownies that his wife made. Sorry James - I scoffed all of your brownies and probably several thousand calories.
On another note, the windscreen wiper squirty jets decided to pack up just as we have entered the soggy season, so I will have some tinkering to do. First analysis was with the fuse box - all good. Next was to make sure everything was connected, which it was. Being the mechanical numpty that I am, I will have to figure this one out somehow starting with a search on Google, of course.
Next year the shiny new radius arms will go on and then further investigation as to why the a/c doesn't work. My friend kindly offered to dismantle one of the compressors to find evidence of why it sparked and died after installation. Twice.
Oh, and since driving it in the dark, I have no idea what speed I'm doing as the the bulbs are so dim I couldn't actually see the dials, but my Garmin SatNav kindly read out my speed and told me where the cameras were. Thanks Garmin. But after a little research I have found a company that sells an LED kit for all interior bulbs. Tempting...
Apart from that, there's not much wrong with it which is amazing considering the 29 years that it has been rumbling around. I thank LewG for resurrecting this car and nurturing it back to health before passing it on to me so he could pursue other amazing cars such as an XJ-R - yummy.
Anyway, I'm sure I have more fun stories to write about next year, so I'll keep you all posted with its progress. Merry Christmas everyone.
Well, it's been a long time since my last update. Loads going on unrelated to cars which has sucked my finances and the Jag went without for a while. But now it has a sparkling new MoT, new rear radius arms and a wire. Yes, a wire. A wire to make the windscreen washers work which mysteriously failed after I changed a headlight bulb. You did read that correctly.
Anyway I will probably be driving the Jag more than before. My fairly juicy 3 Series beemer commuter car is being replaced by an EV - I hear gasps and can see the look of disgust on your faces! Let me explain.
Mr. Tight-wad is buying a plug and play car for the 15,000 stop-start monotonous miles I do a year commuting to work and back sipping on coffee as I sit in endless miles of traffic.
It seems somewhat hypocritical to have a tree-hugging hippy car and a V12 Jag, but it will allow me to burn more fossils in the right place, I.e. The Jag.
Now I'm not going to turn into an eco-preacher, although I'm a massive fan of renewables, storage and such technology. But there's something about a Toyota Prius that brings up some sick into my mouth, hence the all or nothing approach to reducing commuting costs. So no, it's not a hybrid electric car, but is a fun little BMW i3 and that's the only way to have an EV in my mind - make it fun. The i3's running costs will be pence per day for the boring commuting stuff. Why burn s
t loads of money to get to work and back? That's dull and costly (and that genuinely is the primary reason). So I'm going to do the dull bit for pence and then burn money enjoying the rumblings of the V12 more, when it's fun to do so. E.g. Everything but commuting.
But that's just me. Tight-wad first, car enthusiast second and eco-hermit third.
Anyway I will probably be driving the Jag more than before. My fairly juicy 3 Series beemer commuter car is being replaced by an EV - I hear gasps and can see the look of disgust on your faces! Let me explain.
Mr. Tight-wad is buying a plug and play car for the 15,000 stop-start monotonous miles I do a year commuting to work and back sipping on coffee as I sit in endless miles of traffic.
It seems somewhat hypocritical to have a tree-hugging hippy car and a V12 Jag, but it will allow me to burn more fossils in the right place, I.e. The Jag.
Now I'm not going to turn into an eco-preacher, although I'm a massive fan of renewables, storage and such technology. But there's something about a Toyota Prius that brings up some sick into my mouth, hence the all or nothing approach to reducing commuting costs. So no, it's not a hybrid electric car, but is a fun little BMW i3 and that's the only way to have an EV in my mind - make it fun. The i3's running costs will be pence per day for the boring commuting stuff. Why burn s
t loads of money to get to work and back? That's dull and costly (and that genuinely is the primary reason). So I'm going to do the dull bit for pence and then burn money enjoying the rumblings of the V12 more, when it's fun to do so. E.g. Everything but commuting. But that's just me. Tight-wad first, car enthusiast second and eco-hermit third.
It's a whole 5 - 7 mpg more efficient than my rusty old V8 Disco and 1000 % more comfortable especially as it has no sunrooves to shower me in melting ice. Unfortunately my insurance prohibits me from using it as a commuter car.
But I'm looking forward to getting it back out on the road once I've collected it from Den.
But I'm looking forward to getting it back out on the road once I've collected it from Den.
johnxjsc1985 said:
I wish I could find my post from a couple of years ago when I suggested a good XJS would go up in value considerably once the crap ones expired and only the good ones were left. I also wish I had taken my own advice as they are commanding really good prices now. If you have a good one don't do what I did and sell it.
Thanks for the advice. LanceRS knows that I'm a serial car changer, but the Jag is an exception that I plan to keep for a very long time.I've been dreaming of owning an XJ-S since I was a child when my sisters friend took me out in a V12 (which was a long time ago now), so I think this is a keeper.
I do wish I had bought a proper old Mini Cooper (I say old, but the 90's ones are the best in my opinion), but my garage isn't big enough for any more cars, sadly. I did own a rusty beige Mini City once. If I had money and plenty of space, I think I would indulge in a fleet of interesting cars.
Like yourself I am a serial changer but unlike yourself my 2 classics are a 93 mini cooper (well its a classic to me) and an e39 m5. Both are cars I cannot ever see myself selling as once gone, never replaced. Your XJS looks perfect, the right engine and the colour is stunning.
I do wish I had bought a proper old Mini Cooper (I say old, but the 90's ones are the best in my opinion), but my garage isn't big enough for any more cars, sadly. I did own a rusty beige Mini City once. If I had money and plenty of space, I think I would indulge in a fleet of interesting cars.
PH XKR said:
GraemeV12 said:
johnxjsc1985 said:
I wish I could find my post from a couple of years ago when I suggested a good XJS would go up in value considerably once the crap ones expired and only the good ones were left. I also wish I had taken my own advice as they are commanding really good prices now. If you have a good one don't do what I did and sell it.
Thanks for the advice. LanceRS knows that I'm a serial car changer, but the Jag is an exception that I plan to keep for a very long time.I need some practise on getting it sideways in a slightly more controlled manner. Almost spun it out in Bovingdon on the way back from Wycombe after Goodwood 
p.s. I got my i3 a bit sideways coming out of the gym the other day
p.s. I got my i3 a bit sideways coming out of the gym the other day
LanceRS said:
I can vouch for just how stunning it looks. Having been in convoy to Goodwood in December, it looks even better on the move. The way it sits on the road, especially cornering looks amazing.
Edited by GraemeV12 on Saturday 7th January 17:24
Edited by GraemeV12 on Saturday 7th January 17:24
Thanks. I can't take all the credit, LewG who owned the car before me did a lot of work on it. And I can confirm that it does have a beautiful man smell that permeates my clothes once i've driven it; old leather mixed with a feint whiff of oil and the heat from the mighty V12 to cook it all into a lovely fragrant broth. Proper smells.
There's nothing like a friends Dad with a flash car to set the dreams for the future. I can vouch for that.
There's nothing like a friends Dad with a flash car to set the dreams for the future. I can vouch for that.
PH XKR said:
The car looks stunning, and from this pic I can smell the waft factor. My friends dad was a Jag salesman back in the late 70s/early 80s and had one of these, he was the king of the village (Hollingworth if anyone cares!). the XJS is just a stunning classic.
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