Part 22 Another Needy Jag: XJ-SC From The Beginning

October 28, 2024

As the XJ-SC V12 arrived from Grimsby

The best place to start is at the beginning, This part of the blog has been a long time coming...it's will be four years in January (I can't quite believe it) since the car arrived from Grimsby.

I made the mistake of buying a cheap car sight unseen (a bad habit). It looked reasonably OK in the photographs, and even when we drove it onto the drive, it didn't look too bad....however, on closer inspection the surprises kept on coming!

We decided first to check the engine was sound, and after a bit of tinkering, Max and I managed to get it running on all 12 cylinders. A good result that gave us more confidence in the car.

Brakes, steering and suspension were obviously all in a bad place. There had been some work done previously on the front brakes, but the inboard rear discs were almost seized. The steering wheel was upside down, or so it seemed, but this may be because the steering rack has not been centered: The steering lock is different on the left and the right. Investigation required.

I expected horrors with the electrics, and it so it transpired. I suspect this is all down to earthing problems. Some instruments work, some do not. Central locking, electric windows, heating fans all need looking at. In fact it seems the only thing that does work is the engine.

The interior roof lining is missing, the seats have split stitching and the whole car smells damp. Carpets and sound-proofing were removed along with the seats (a stitching job for the long winter nights!). The leather is all sound, but will need to be refinished before the seats are returned to the car.

There seemed to be very little rust proofing left under or inside the car, despite signs that at some point in its life it had been treated. The boot seemed to be the worst affected by tin worm, so the rear bumper was removed revealing the true extent of the problem, The pictures hardly need any explanation:

As you can see, there is not much holding the rear panels to the rest of the car. The rear valence panel had to be cut off - there was nothing to save. Luckily I found a pattern panel on Ebay for a reasonable sum. The remaining repairs had to be made as required. Using patience, an angle grinder, a MIG welder, a vice and a hammer, gradually I managed to fashion all the necessary parts, welding them into the car. It looks a little Frankenstein in the bare metal, but once faired in and painted, should be fine. The point is that it is all at least as strong as the original.

Here's the result as it went along...