Rescuing a 1988 Jaguar XJS V12
Jaguar Forum member sets out to restore a late ’80s V12 Jaguar with the help of a repair manual and our awesome forum community.
There’s nothing like a repair build to bring out that sense of community. It always starts with a vision. In this case, Jaguar Forum member Rescue119 found himself a black 1988 XJS V12 up in Canada and he thought he could bring it back to life. And to document the rescue, he started a BUILD THREAD. This particular XJS only has 94,000 kilometers (58,400 miles) on the clock, but it’s been sitting for a while and was in dire need of rescue.
The beginning of a long story.
88 XJS V12, 94k km, black.
How it was found
Taking it Home
The First Wash
Removing a Rusty Piece of the Trunk Lid
(Luckily the rust didn’t go all the way to the trunk itself)
Cleaning Up the Wheel Hubs
New Calipers
LED Interior Lights
Home After the First Drive
**** ya boys! It moved! I let it run for 10 minutes then cycled through the gears. Its goes into the gears rough but that will get fixed over time.
So stooked. I’m having some drinks now.
When moving it man it was hard to stop it with just the front brakes. Luckily I had no problems
So now its back in the garage facing nose in and over further and straight. Next thing I’m gonna do is now that I can move it is pull it out and clean the engine bay. Get rid of as much garbage as I can.
Removing the Rear End
If you’d like to learn more about Rescue119’s XJS project thread, please click HERE to read along or chip in some helpful information when the next question pops up.
Photos: Jaguar Forums / Rescue119