Harry's Garage - YouTube
Discussion
Wow, lot's of interesting comments on here regarding the XJC V12 restoration, There's too many to answer individually but here's a general overview of what's going on here.
Point one is this car cost me £5000 six years ago and is huge fun to drive. I confess to thinking it was stupidly cheap at the time, especially so for a very rare, V12 Jaguar Coupe with a great 5-speed conversion. I knew the body wasn't in good shape but it drove brilliantly and started on the button every time I went to use it. I then had the suspension done and it drove even better than I dared hoped it might post conversion.
But there was always an issue for me; the tatty body and colour meant I generally took another car out of the garage when going for a drive that might have suited it. The easy answer was to sell it and move on but my son is the biggest fan of this Jaguar and, in a way, I'm a fan too but not in it's current condition. Hence why I decided to go ahead with this restoration.
Now, when you undertake a job like this you know your initial budget could well be out by a significant factor. Having said that, nothing the bodywork has thrown up during strip-down has been a surprise, Jaguars of this age are often full of rot and you either try and buy one from a sunny country that never got exposed to salt, or do what I'm doing and do a proper restoration. The fact the engine needed major work was the big surprise.
Next, you need to factor in rarity and end value to make sense of it. A Jaguar XJC 5.3 V12 is a very rare car, approx 1800 were produced worldwide but perhaps only 100 good examples exist today. It's also one of the prettiest Jaguars made post E-Type, as well as being one of the most desirable. It was Sir William Lyon's final car but I suggest 99% of the ones that do survive have issues, be it rot or engine problems because they got too cheap.
The result is I think it's worth doing a proper restoration now because it will stand out in the market, were I ever to sell it. But it's not all about resale value, it's about the journey and then owning perhaps one of the very best example of Jaguar V12 coupe out there at the end of it. I wouldn't be doing this restoration if it wasn't a manual, as that tweak transforms this car into something else.
In summary, I suggest just enjoying the journey on Harry's Garage and watching UK specialists do their amazing craft. We're so lucky to have these specialists around and I have zero remorse on taking this project on, as I will get to own and drive a fantastic car by the end of it, that'll live on for decades to come and be enjoyed to the full by all the family.
Point one is this car cost me £5000 six years ago and is huge fun to drive. I confess to thinking it was stupidly cheap at the time, especially so for a very rare, V12 Jaguar Coupe with a great 5-speed conversion. I knew the body wasn't in good shape but it drove brilliantly and started on the button every time I went to use it. I then had the suspension done and it drove even better than I dared hoped it might post conversion.
But there was always an issue for me; the tatty body and colour meant I generally took another car out of the garage when going for a drive that might have suited it. The easy answer was to sell it and move on but my son is the biggest fan of this Jaguar and, in a way, I'm a fan too but not in it's current condition. Hence why I decided to go ahead with this restoration.
Now, when you undertake a job like this you know your initial budget could well be out by a significant factor. Having said that, nothing the bodywork has thrown up during strip-down has been a surprise, Jaguars of this age are often full of rot and you either try and buy one from a sunny country that never got exposed to salt, or do what I'm doing and do a proper restoration. The fact the engine needed major work was the big surprise.
Next, you need to factor in rarity and end value to make sense of it. A Jaguar XJC 5.3 V12 is a very rare car, approx 1800 were produced worldwide but perhaps only 100 good examples exist today. It's also one of the prettiest Jaguars made post E-Type, as well as being one of the most desirable. It was Sir William Lyon's final car but I suggest 99% of the ones that do survive have issues, be it rot or engine problems because they got too cheap.
The result is I think it's worth doing a proper restoration now because it will stand out in the market, were I ever to sell it. But it's not all about resale value, it's about the journey and then owning perhaps one of the very best example of Jaguar V12 coupe out there at the end of it. I wouldn't be doing this restoration if it wasn't a manual, as that tweak transforms this car into something else.
In summary, I suggest just enjoying the journey on Harry's Garage and watching UK specialists do their amazing craft. We're so lucky to have these specialists around and I have zero remorse on taking this project on, as I will get to own and drive a fantastic car by the end of it, that'll live on for decades to come and be enjoyed to the full by all the family.
Pistom said:
Most non-exotics like this would never get restored if resale value was a consideration so it is it's a testament to the commitment of enthusiasts that they are prepared to spend the money needed on a car like this to do it properly.
Agree, but I also think that Harry may well come out on top anyway. I think they’re becoming uber-desirable and, oh so rare. FWIW, I’d have done exactly the same and I look forward to sharing the journey!Pistom said:
Most non-exotics like this would never get restored if resale value was a consideration so it is it's a testament to the commitment of enthusiasts that they are prepared to spend the money needed on a car like this to do it properly.
I recall a HPC Young Drivers Day where I met a young chap who was restoring (or had restored) a Maestro - not an MG, not the Turbo, just a mid-range Austin... Properly anorak but pretty cool for it
EDIT: I can't believe Lord Harry paid only £5k for the Jaaag - that was a bargain! (Ignoring the obvious current and impending outlay, obviously... lol)
RSTurboPaul said:
I recall a HPC Young Drivers Day where I met a young chap who was restoring (or had restored) a Maestro - not an MG, not the Turbo, just a mid-range Austin...
Properly anorak but pretty cool for it
EDIT: I can't believe Lord Harry paid only £5k for the Jaaag - that was a bargain! (Ignoring the obvious current and impending outlay, obviously... lol)
The other year I took the offspring to Puzzlewood and on returning to the car park found an absolutely mint Maestro parked next to us. He must have been in his 20s and I had to ask to have a closer look at the car because it was quite remarkable. Properly anorak but pretty cool for it
EDIT: I can't believe Lord Harry paid only £5k for the Jaaag - that was a bargain! (Ignoring the obvious current and impending outlay, obviously... lol)
I'm guessing there is some kind of scene as there is a chap in Oxford with a mint, red Cortina and around Rickmansworth it's not uncommon to see what looks like a showroom 200 series Volvo estate.
DonkeyApple said:
The other year I took the offspring to Puzzlewood and on returning to the car park found an absolutely mint Maestro parked next to us. He must have been in his 20s and I had to ask to have a closer look at the car because it was quite remarkable.
I'm guessing there is some kind of scene as there is a chap in Oxford with a mint, red Cortina and around Rickmansworth it's not uncommon to see what looks like a showroom 200 series Volvo estate.
There is a bit of a scene along those lines. Couple of mates would love to join in. I'm guessing there is some kind of scene as there is a chap in Oxford with a mint, red Cortina and around Rickmansworth it's not uncommon to see what looks like a showroom 200 series Volvo estate.
Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
Doofus said:
RSTurboPaul said:
Jaaag
Don't say that. 
Dashnine said:
craigjm said:
Dashnine said:
The state of the chassis and bodywork made me shiver at the thought of may have happened in an accident. I get the impression it would have just folded up, if it were my car that would be causing me a few sleepless nights. Pretty similar situation with the Lancia too.
A 70s car would just fold anyway. Check this out from 3m 30shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4_UDyT1wnA
Sway said:
DonkeyApple said:
The other year I took the offspring to Puzzlewood and on returning to the car park found an absolutely mint Maestro parked next to us. He must have been in his 20s and I had to ask to have a closer look at the car because it was quite remarkable.
I'm guessing there is some kind of scene as there is a chap in Oxford with a mint, red Cortina and around Rickmansworth it's not uncommon to see what looks like a showroom 200 series Volvo estate.
There is a bit of a scene along those lines. Couple of mates would love to join in. I'm guessing there is some kind of scene as there is a chap in Oxford with a mint, red Cortina and around Rickmansworth it's not uncommon to see what looks like a showroom 200 series Volvo estate.
Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
RSTurboPaul said:
EDIT: I can't believe Lord Harry paid only £5k for the Jaaag - that was a bargain! (Ignoring the obvious current and impending outlay, obviously... lol)
We look back in time and so many cars were bargains. Even today, there are great great cars for not a huge amount of money but restoration costs once they get to that stage are always going to be eye watering.I remember these Jags when they were significantly less than £5K!
mbwoy84 said:
Sway said:
DonkeyApple said:
The other year I took the offspring to Puzzlewood and on returning to the car park found an absolutely mint Maestro parked next to us. He must have been in his 20s and I had to ask to have a closer look at the car because it was quite remarkable.
I'm guessing there is some kind of scene as there is a chap in Oxford with a mint, red Cortina and around Rickmansworth it's not uncommon to see what looks like a showroom 200 series Volvo estate.
There is a bit of a scene along those lines. Couple of mates would love to join in. I'm guessing there is some kind of scene as there is a chap in Oxford with a mint, red Cortina and around Rickmansworth it's not uncommon to see what looks like a showroom 200 series Volvo estate.
Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
I'd love to get an example of one of the cars I fondly remember my mum owning at the time (I was born in 82).
Unfortunately, she was the daughter of a mechanic and the sister of an absolute petrolhead.
So, she didn't have 'mundane' family cars. She had Golf GTI/205 GTi/etc.
So, they're bloody expensive now for what they are!
What I will say, is those cars were utterly wasted on her. At least now she realises this and tools around in a diesel Mini convertible.
RSTurboPaul said:
Doofus said:
RSTurboPaul said:
Jaaag
Don't say that. Dashnine said:
craigjm said:
Dashnine said:
The state of the chassis and bodywork made me shiver at the thought of may have happened in an accident. I get the impression it would have just folded up, if it were my car that would be causing me a few sleepless nights. Pretty similar situation with the Lancia too.
A 70s car would just fold anyway. Check this out from 3m 30shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4_UDyT1wnA
Sway said:
There is a bit of a scene along those lines. Couple of mates would love to join in.
Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
Not sure I'd go as far as to PPF a Mini Metro...Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
https://twitter.com/AzuriCarCare/status/1382006638...
aspender said:
Sway said:
There is a bit of a scene along those lines. Couple of mates would love to join in.
Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
Not sure I'd go as far as to PPF a Mini Metro...Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
https://twitter.com/AzuriCarCare/status/1382006638...
Pistom said:
RSTurboPaul said:
EDIT: I can't believe Lord Harry paid only £5k for the Jaaag - that was a bargain! (Ignoring the obvious current and impending outlay, obviously... lol)
We look back in time and so many cars were bargains. Even today, there are great great cars for not a huge amount of money but restoration costs once they get to that stage are always going to be eye watering.I remember these Jags when they were significantly less than £5K!
Sway said:
There is a bit of a scene along those lines. Couple of mates would love to join in.
Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
I went past the Lambo dealer in Pangbourne earlier today, and what turned my head was an immaculate brown Austin Allegro on the forecourt.Essentially, the cleanest example possible of the blandest, most ordinary car possible from ideally the 80s when 'we' were kids.
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