So it's been a little over a month with the new Jag. I finally got around to washing, buffing and waxing it, and decided to take some pictures of her.

Work so far has included Oil Change, Diff. Oil Change & U-Joint Lube, Complete Tune Up (Plugs, Wires, Cap & Rotor).

Cosmetic work has included cleaning about a pound of wet gunk from the drainage trough under the windshield & removing the duck bill, cleaning out both clogged A/C drain tubes, vacuuming and shampooing carpets, cleaning and conditioning leather interior, washing, compounding, polishing, glazing and waxing paint, and polishing chrome.

The only mods I've done include replacing the factory audio deck with a JVC Arsenal unit (running the USB wire under the ski slope, and into the armrest box for an iPod), replacing all door speakers with Polk Audio 4" speakers (rewiring the front speakers to remove the common ground wiring), replacing the fog lamp bulbs with Selective Yellow, and replacing the factory roof-mounted day-night manual mirror with a GM-sourced windshield-mounted automatic dimming day-night mirror with compass (chosen because the compass display color matches the Jag's instrument colors perfectly). This makes night driving much more enjoyable, especially being in such a low car...



































Hope you like the pics!

-Nick

 

Thanks for sharing, Nick. I know folks have opined over the years against the XJ40's styling, and of course I have my own bias, but this is an impossibly pretty car. I think you've found perhaps one of the last "survivors", and it seems the car has found a thoughtful owner as well.

Cheers,
Scott

 

Beautiful. Great work.

I don't see XJ40s on the road frequently, but happen to have seen 2 in the last week, and I agree that it's just a great looking Jaguar model.

 

She's a beauty. Thanks for posting.

 

Thanks for the kind words. While speaking with others about these older XJ6s, I'll always get the jokes about reliability and 80's styling, but once they actually see the car, they appreciate it.

It seems like there's something about the car that I can't quite capture in pictures. It's the shape and contour of the body, especially the rear quarters.

The car has a look that I've always appreciated, even as a kid, and while I didn't think I'd be a huge fan of the paint color or blue interior, I love the combination now. I hope to hang on to this car for a long time, and once I have the room, keep it as a weekend car that I can really baby.

Thanks again,
Nick

 

Hey Nick looks fantastic, nice work! Please don't take this the wrong way but, when applying the tire dressing, hit the black plastic inner wheel wells as well, you'll thank me later.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

Thanks Rick, I never would've thought about using tire dressing on the inner wheel wells! I do have to remember that there is plenty of black plastic on the bumpers that likes to show off all the splatter from the wheels.

I'm happy most of the black plastic trim is still black, I haven't had to do much with it. I did get some Meguiars Back-to-Black just in case I need it, but I think I'll be using far more chrome polish than anything. These jags have quite a bit!

Thanks Again,
Nick

 

Nick,

Looks superb - better than my XJ40 did sixteen years ago!

Graham

 

Lovely car, and brings back memories for me.

My father had a 1990 model XJ40 and it was my first up close exposure to the marque. It was a real pleasure to drive and the leather had a certain smell that I have not since found in a car.

The appeal of that car has stuck with both of us. Dad swears to this day that it was one of his favorites and 20 years on, I went and found myself an XK to scratch my Jaguar itch.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks for all the kind words.

Forgot to list my "to-do" items:

-Bring the car into the dealer to repair the driver's passive restraint which sometimes does not travel back to the unrestrained position.

-Install an amplifier in the trunk to power the two factory subwoofers under the rear seat, rather than powering them off the rear door speaker channels

-Install a remote starter, either linked to the factory alarm, or install one which is included in an aftermarket alarm system.

-Swap the spare tire's wheel and front right wheel. The front right wheel is slightly scratched and showing wear. The spare wheel is almost perfect.

-Clean/adjust the driver's side rear door lock mechanism. The first time I unlock the doors, it likes to stay locked. After re-locking and unlocking again, it usually unlocks.

-Order a touch up pen (dealer says it's unavailable) to fill in minor chips and scratches.

-Replace the plastic coolant expansion tank, which is very slightly seeping at the seam along the middle of the tank.

-Clean the throttle body and EGR passages.

 

She's a beauty, great pictures!
Very well done on bringing her up to this condition.
With regard to touch up paint you could try this site they may be able to help. Touch Up Paint and Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup

 

Absolutely Beautiful!!!

I wish mine looked as good.
Ray

 

Hi, I see you are from RI. I am in the South County area. I just picked up a 94 XJ40 this past July. Light blue with a grey interior.

I am in dire need of a bonnet liner or hood insulation. Can't seem to find a factory replacement.

Maybe I will bump into you some place.

I think I spotted a building near Rt 10 in your pictures.

 

great Work nick and thank you for sharing it,

I hope your outstanding vision pays off and wish you great comfort in the time you have

with that awesome vehicular spectacular!

Enjoy! Stu

 

A fine example and one that looks as though it has had a very cherished life.

If you keep it in that condition it should last you a very long time and still be able to turn heads.

Thanks for taking the time in sharing the photos.

 

You are correct, that building is right off Rt 10. I'm from Cranston, but occasionally work in West Kingston and Westerly. I haven't seen many XJ40's around; it'll be nice to see another around here.

Thanks every for the kind words!

-Nick

 

Lovely lovely example, thanks for sharing so many pics.

I'd agree with Joycesjag on the inner wheel liners, a quick spray of wet n black or similar will make ALL the difference.

If you're getting spatter from the wheels when driving, try this.....

Apply your wheel dressing using a sponge and go around the tyre as much as you need to. Do all 4 tyres this way, then when finished go back
to the first one and buff it up to a matt finish removing any excess residue.

That'll cure your spatter issues.

One other thing I notice, that perhaps lets the car down slightly as she seems so beautiful in every other way, is the headlamps.

Is it just me, or the pics or are they hazy?
If so, why not visit our detailing section and review one of the many posts on headlamp refinishing?

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/d...ion-faq-25265/

Best

Jim

 

Thanks Jim! That's an excellent post about the headlamps. I've had a few people mention them. I've tried looking for brochure pictures of the XJ40 and they seemed to be foggy as well. I know these older headlights were never designed to be as crystal clear as the Xenon headlamp lenses on newer cars. It's something I'd like to address.

Also I'd like to figure out what I can do about the lines in the paint from the sides of the door handles, and at the bottom rocker panel under the doors. There are many small vertical lines that look like drips. Maybe just a through polishing will get them out.

Thanks again!
Nick