The Curfew XJ-S - V12 manual
Discussion
lukeharding said:
Parts prices are definitely expensive, as will be labour for a specialist, but it is a car that certainly enjoys being used, and takes the mileage well in my eyes.
The Jaguar certainly holds a special place in my heart, but I do want to be happy to pile mileage on it again rather than leave it sat up for the nicest of days.
Perhaps the thinking man's way to buy a Bentley is to seek out a 200k miler with a huge service history?The Jaguar certainly holds a special place in my heart, but I do want to be happy to pile mileage on it again rather than leave it sat up for the nicest of days.
I know exactly where you are coming from with the Jaaag, I put heart and soul into an E30 cabbie a few years ago and it's sat in the garage under a dust sheet!
My excuse is that a minor stroke has affected my eyesight, making handling tools far more interesting...
lukeharding said:
Parts prices are definitely expensive, as will be labour for a specialist, but it is a car that certainly enjoys being used, and takes the mileage well in my eyes.
The Jaguar certainly holds a special place in my heart, but I do want to be happy to pile mileage on it again rather than leave it sat up for the nicest of days.
While the body is being sorted, have you got plans for a mechanical refresh as well Luke? The Jaguar certainly holds a special place in my heart, but I do want to be happy to pile mileage on it again rather than leave it sat up for the nicest of days.
I’m currently trying to make my mind up whether to spend some more money on the Capri after the major work I had done back in early 2019. After 15 years of ownership I can’t imagine selling it, but I’m also not sure I have the enthusiasm to do more work to it, which it will eventually need at some point. Otherwise it means driving it as it is until I’m forced to get my wallet out, or covering it up in the garage until I get my enthusiasm back. With 2 other cars to play with, I’m a bit distracted by them at the moment.
How you cope with your fleet I don’t know.
j4r4lly said:
While the body is being sorted, have you got plans for a mechanical refresh as well Luke?
I’m currently trying to make my mind up whether to spend some more money on the Capri after the major work I had done back in early 2019. After 15 years of ownership I can’t imagine selling it, but I’m also not sure I have the enthusiasm to do more work to it, which it will eventually need at some point. Otherwise it means driving it as it is until I’m forced to get my wallet out, or covering it up in the garage until I get my enthusiasm back. With 2 other cars to play with, I’m a bit distracted by them at the moment.
How you cope with your fleet I don’t know.
Quite a lot of the mechanics have been refreshed as I've gone along (rear suspension, subframe etc), and the axles and engine etc are still in the car. I would like to pull the front suspension apart when it comes back and fit new shocks, springs and bushes. It is a bit of a pain in the backside job but one worth doing and it hasn't been done in a long time on that car. It also needs a new fuel tank, which I am going to have made (possibly with a slightly increased capacity as they are NLA), and I will be replacing the oil cooler as it looks a bit battered. Whilst doing that I may have new fuel and brake lines run, just because. It needs a new front screen as the old one was cracked, so may see if a heated one is possible, though I won't really need it as I don't plan to use the car in winter/snow recently. I also need the seats looking at (I think the seat foam on the driver's seat is breaking up a bit, and there is a bit of a hole on the bolster. I also want to replace the carpets....I’m currently trying to make my mind up whether to spend some more money on the Capri after the major work I had done back in early 2019. After 15 years of ownership I can’t imagine selling it, but I’m also not sure I have the enthusiasm to do more work to it, which it will eventually need at some point. Otherwise it means driving it as it is until I’m forced to get my wallet out, or covering it up in the garage until I get my enthusiasm back. With 2 other cars to play with, I’m a bit distracted by them at the moment.
How you cope with your fleet I don’t know.
It is going to be expensive
With your Capri, I guess it depends what it needs! They're great cars, but I can completely understand the desire to not spend even more money. At least you have the two other cars to distract you!
I don't know either really, but fortunately my cost is mainly in parts. The XJS is being billed weekly which I think lessens the pain somewhat (that is what I am telling myself). There are also things I delay as I can't afford them or because I just need a little less expenditure at that point (see the 911 and the Thunderbird). However this may be the year for bodywork seeing as I know I can trust the bodyshop I'm using, and the list of cars to need paint/bodywork is extensive...
ferret50 said:
Perhaps the thinking man's way to buy a Bentley is to seek out a 200k miler with a huge service history?
I know exactly where you are coming from with the Jaaag, I put heart and soul into an E30 cabbie a few years ago and it's sat in the garage under a dust sheet!
My excuse is that a minor stroke has affected my eyesight, making handling tools far more interesting...
Sorry, somehow completely missed replying to you and then remembered something about a 200k miles Bentley... I know exactly where you are coming from with the Jaaag, I put heart and soul into an E30 cabbie a few years ago and it's sat in the garage under a dust sheet!
My excuse is that a minor stroke has affected my eyesight, making handling tools far more interesting...
I'd love a high mileage Bentley like that, might just have to do it with my one. 
I find projects a really funny thing, I love recommissioning cars and getting them back on the road after a period of nothing. I really enjoy resurrecting them and 'saving' them. Full restorations are a different thing, as they are a longer proposition and I have always been disappointed by bodyshops. Fortunately I've got someone I can trust, and that may change things for me a bit and gives me a little more control over things. I'm not a huge fan of over restored cars as an ownership proposition, as I just won't use them.
Another update, mostly on the XJS. Not much to say about the Bentley other than it is racking up the miles quite happily, and is now approaching 131k miles.
The XJS is also progressing quite happily. Got to find these little rubber pipes to fit between the front wings and the scuttle.
The roof gutters have been rebuilt!
Evidence of previous repairs.
Rust by the O/S rear light
All cut out
Repairs ongoing
The N/S front wing is the only area that had been touched by the previous bodyshop in more than a year. As you can see it is still out of line, as there is supposed to be a bracket as it is completely missing
That has now been remade
In position
The bracket on top had also rusted
So that has been remade
The wing bottom is finally realigned and that makes me very happy!
Work is also ongoing on the front of the N/S wing, where there was previous damage during the time that it was a magazine car.
The XJS is also progressing quite happily. Got to find these little rubber pipes to fit between the front wings and the scuttle.
The roof gutters have been rebuilt!
Evidence of previous repairs.
Rust by the O/S rear light
All cut out
Repairs ongoing
The N/S front wing is the only area that had been touched by the previous bodyshop in more than a year. As you can see it is still out of line, as there is supposed to be a bracket as it is completely missing
That has now been remade
In position
The bracket on top had also rusted
So that has been remade
The wing bottom is finally realigned and that makes me very happy!
Work is also ongoing on the front of the N/S wing, where there was previous damage during the time that it was a magazine car.
Went to the Scramble and had a lovely morning there with family and catching up with friends
Yes, it really is that filthy, thanks to roadworks
Not sure why there are RR mudflaps on a Bentley, but they're doing an admirable job trying to cope.
Also, took a couple of cars to be auctioned last week. Tripped, fell, and bought a project Daimler Double Six
Whoops.
Yes, it really is that filthy, thanks to roadworks
Not sure why there are RR mudflaps on a Bentley, but they're doing an admirable job trying to cope.
Also, took a couple of cars to be auctioned last week. Tripped, fell, and bought a project Daimler Double Six
Whoops.
Edited by lukeharding on Monday 22 April 12:26
lukeharding said:
Not sure why there are RR mudflaps on a Bentley
Why not? Between 1931 and 2002 all Bentleys were Rolls Royces.
For some models one could have one's Rolls Royce with the choice of either a Rolls Royce badge or a Bentley badge.
Some Rolls Royces could only be had with a Rolls Royce badge.
Some Rolls Royces could only be had with a Bentley badge.
But they were ALL Rolls Royces.
I had a Bentley Turbo R for fifteen years. It was a Rolls Royce.
21st Century Man said:
lukeharding said:
Not sure why there are RR mudflaps on a Bentley
Why not? Between 1931 and 2002 all Bentleys were Rolls Royces.
For some models one could have one's Rolls Royce with the choice of either a Rolls Royce badge or a Bentley badge.
Some Rolls Royces could only be had with a Rolls Royce badge.
Some Rolls Royces could only be had with a Bentley badge.
But they were ALL Rolls Royces.
I had a Bentley Turbo R for fifteen years. It was a Rolls Royce.
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