I bought this nearly 30 years ago. It had been the subject of a 1980’s restoration. So a high quality trim off, glass out 2-pack respray in its original Olde English White, but over more filler than we would use today. The underlying bodywork is better than most, but not ‘rust free’. The Crow's Feet are present and correct with only light corrosion. The front valance is less good.
The car was taken off the road to replace the crankshaft oil seal. This led to a rebuilt bottom half engine from a then well-respected rebuilder in the Birmingham area whose name now escapes me. The head is late XJ modified and rebuilt by Vintage Sporting Engines of Llandrindod Wells. Carbs were rebuilt and all ancillaries stripped and fully overhauled. Gearbox and final drive are untouched apart from external clean and paint. I would advise a precautionary engine strip down and inspection as I have memories of youngest son ‘helping Daddy’ and some nuts going missing, never to be found again!
I stripped the engine bay back to bare metal and repainted in cellulose. Unfortunately I made a poor choice of seam sealer and it will need stripping and redoing.
Front and rear subframes were stripped, bead blasted and repainted. Unfortunately, not knowing any better I repainted them with Hammerite. All nuts, bolts, washer, small brackets and clips etc were either new or lovingly replated by me with copper then nickel.
I would disassemble them again – which will be nice an easy as nothing seized – strip the paint and repaint with Jotun 87 or your 2-pack epoxy of choice and topcoat.
Then I got posted overseas.
On my return I contemplated a resto mod transplant of an AJ-16 and 4 speed auto box and XJ12 braking components. I got as far as acquiring an XJ40 and stripping it before enthusiasm waned.
Now I have retired, we are downsizing to England and I have accepted I’m never going to restart this project.
The grey leather upholstery is nicely mellowed, being in that sweet spot of being worn in without being worn out. Period rear seat belts fitted. It needs new seat foams and would benefit from replacement carpets, but the worn originals are serviceable.
Unsurprisingly the headlining rest on your head.
Woodwork is fine.
The odometer currently shows only 48,535 miles which is consistent with the interior condition but there is insufficient paperwork to warrant this.
The original toolkit is also still present and complete along with the spare wheel and wheel-changing kit. Currently on XJ6 rims the original rims and hubcaps are included.
Car located in Pembrokeshire. I will happily provide as many photographs of whatever details a buyer might need. There is some possibility of transport at cost but is dependent on a friend’s workload and good will.
