Nice work Ray, very nice work. (I was only kidding bout the ban ) I came from a Volvo forum and this kind of thing is what made that forum tick. It was common to turn a sedate 115hp Volvo 240 Sedan into a 300+Hp Road track car that was nice to drive as a DD. Ill have to dig up some of my project pics.

Its nice to see good work like this here.

 

Thanks JEH I am going to change the diff ratio next currently a 3.27 I am going to put in a 3.58 which I am told will increase the torque by 17%. but I will show some photos and an article on the xj300 forum at a not to later date as this car used to be a L/H drive. Your Volvo project sounds interesting
Cheers Ray

 

I am uncertain about the actual ratios but at least in the Volvo world the man vs auto there were a variety of different ratios and putting a 5spd in front of the autos rear diff made a major difference in how the car felt.

Even that little bit should make it feel quite snappier.

Here is a link on turbobricks to a build thread I did on my Volvo as not to clutter this thread.

Jeh's 86 240GL+T Start to almost Finished - Turbobricks Forums

and a before and after shot

 

Very nice and neat package' I like the wheels and the instrument cluster set out .Not knowing a lot about Volvos but I think from memory it was a 240 turbo that won the New Zealand Wellington street race in the mid to late 80s. IT was up against some fast competition like Walkinshaws XJS- Porch - and various others. It was nick named the flying brick. thanks on the link
Cheers Ray

 

Hi Scott:

Whilst I haven't been a contributor around here for very long I'm often floating around here in the XJ40 forum or the Series 2 forum.

I have noticed there is less "talked" about in this forum than there is next door in the Series 2 one.
I have owned X300's, Series I and II, and XJ40's, BMW's, Merc's and a Ford LTD (Australian not US). I would seriously not trade my Daimlers for any-other car, I absolutely love them. I truly believe my XJ40 has been the most rewarding car to own of all.

I am the second owner and I will be the last owner. I bought if off the original owner who was no longer able to drive. He bought it to New Zealand when he emigrated from the UK. Had it fully under sealed when he bought it so its still got all its original panels and no rust. Full Jaguar service history and receipts from day one.
I couldn't believe it when I went to look at the car. So I bought it there and then, Haven't looked back!!

I always pay special attention to the servicing and maintenance of even the smallest issues in any of my cars, even the ford. But the Daimlers are strong.

If your reading this and your considering an XJ40 to buy, find one with good service history and if you take good care of it, it will defiantly look after you. Don't get hung up on issues like the electric dashboards that flicker or the hydraulic brake systems. There's a good community here that can help!

Cheers

Alex

 

THANK YOU Alex for saying such wonderful things about the XJ40 Daimler car! I agree completely! My mom has one, the one in my signature and profile. I get comments on my Mom's gorgeous xj40 Vanden Plas Jag in the other forums, even the Vanden Plas threads dissing the car just because it is an xj40. Seems they are "undesirable" just because they are xj40's ! There are Jaguar snobs around here! LOL

My mom's car is exactly the type of car you say people should look for! Like yours it has a stellar service history, performed at Jaguar, all issues taken care of, all upgrades done, new suspension, brand new brakes (just months ago and driven very few miles since), there are NO electric or dashboard issues, A/C cold but needs freon right now, always hand washed, never driven in bad weather, wiped and polished after each drive by my mother with a Kozak auto-dry wash cloth.... my mother is a bit obsessive about cleanliness and maintaining everything perfectly and her car reflects it. If Jaguar ever hinted at a possible issue down the road, Mom got it fixed before it happened.

This car is an exemplary Jaguar. It drives beautifully, handles well, good feel on the road and very luxurious. Hot heated seats too. My mom has just 'shrunk' as she's gotten older, plus back surgery to fuse disks and she is uncomfortable in the car and can't see well out of it. She is not comfortable driving it, so she doesn't except to 'exercise' it occasionally. It sits looking sad (and shiny) hooked up to life support (a drip battery charge to keep the battery from going dead from sitting). This car wants to go out and play!

We need to help Jaguar enthusiasts get over this 'prejudice'! I think we need to send you into the other threads to sing the praises of your xj40! :-D

 

Alex:
Couldn't agree more. Mine is a true workhorse. "Bulletproof" is a word that is much used.

Amy - Mine is in practically the same condition, only with a few more miles. It's amazing how well this car has held up with the right kind of care. It's also amazing to see the ones that fall apart - or are no longer with us! - when they don't.

Cheers!
Scott

 

Scott, Bulletproof seems to be a good coincidence in words!! There's a hooded gunman breaking into homes in the night at the moment in our street specifically after women it appears. You can defiantly feel the tension and unease in the air, due to the extreme low gun crime in New Zealand.
But having lived in New York, gun crime was a little more common there.

Any-who, you are right though, mechanically these engines are as good as if not better reliability wise than those in the auzzie Falcons or even a Toyota Corolla. That of course goes with out saying if you look after it. I think what kills these cars is when they are neglected or improperly maintained. I think Its fair enough that some of them have rusted to pieces but that's old fashioned cars for you. If you wash and polish them at regular intervals it keeps them in pretty good shape. Just hose out under the guards and wash out and caught dirt or road metal, under the bumpers and sills when you give the car a wash.

Amy your moms car looks wonderful! A shame about her ailing health as back surgery isn't the kindest on anyone. I really do hope you find her car a good new home, as I'm sure someone will enjoy that beautiful VDP as much as you all have.
I'm glad its on a trickle charger, XJ40's hate low voltage - caused me a major headache at one stage.

Cheers

Alex.

 

Good evening all!I figured if I am going to preserve these cars(my wife an i have a pair! of 1991 XJ6,one sovereign,and one base model)just maybe I can pick the brains of some extremely knowledgeable people on this site.When my lovely wife's 1990 Cavalier POS started to do the dreaded electrical dance,I got the bright idea to visit a local auction and see what was on offer.Armed with instructions as follows,"it can't look like every other bubble car on the road,I have to be able to see out the windows,No swamp buggies,and NO ****boxes!"EEEK!Armed with a couple of grand I set off and spotted a Jag XJ6 in the lineup,and thought this may fill the bill....won it for 1700 bucks,and she LOVES it! Had to change the thermostat,the 02 sensor,and fit some new tires,but we have run it since march with no issues.This buggy is worthy of fixing up so when another XJ popped up online for 1500 bucks I could not resist.I figured I might need a parts car,but this car runs VERY strong.A few issues tho,someone heated the springs to lower it!NOOOO!and the diff oil was gunk!Parts of a belleville washer came out with the oil,but so bads yet.So far i have had to get some form of heater in the car to work,but that is another topic.So "Red " is mothballed for the winter and "Champ" is the winter buggy.New springs and shocks are comingso I will post as I go along.I am learning the site on the fly,so please bear with us,Thanx,Jim and Cindy.

 

So 2 cars have popped locally that have really caught my attention. 1st up is an 89 XJS with a v12 going out the door for $3500. I am hoping to and at least take a look this weekend. Says it has a few issues ac inop but comes with new compressor and the drivers window doesn't work but other wise it's supposed to be a runner. Personally not a fan of the pre airbag autoseatbelts but so it goes

The 2nd car is a 94 XJ Wait for it V12 But wait some more........ It doesn't run. The ad states it needs a fuel pump and the tank needs to be cleaned. Sure that's all it needs Lol. Any way he is asking $950 but I think that's about $450 too much for a non runner. If I could get it cheap it might be fun to play with and worse case if the interior is nice have a spares car. If the engine is total hash I could pull a Clarkson and make a table out of the block for office.

 

Hi guys
I am new to this forum as I have had my old girl for just a year now and have just had it certified,registered and warrented. I live in Dunedin but had to drive my girl from CHCH to get her home. Apart from battery the trip was very pleasant and a nice ride, so nice the dragon slept all the way and she was against the car from day 1. I look forward to bringing the old girl back to life as she should be. I am using her daily as I firmly beleive they should be seen and not forgotten.

 

Mine gets re-delivered sometime next week. I gotta bleed the brakes, and do a basic inspection 2 and then it's time for her to be my daily.

 

Welcome to all the new people!

Jeh- did you end up looking at/buying either of the cars?

Scott

 

Happy New Year Everyone! Just catching up here! I've gone on hiatus (taking care of business) as the Jag is in the garage, snug under a cover. She's happy on her trickle charger all tucked in for the winter. Once the nice weather comes, we'll bring her out and continue the search for a new loving home for her.

I trust all of you are well, had great holidays and are keeping your Jag's happy?

 

Happy New Year to you too Amy,

I thought you must have found a buyer until I saw your entry in the Pinnaclewax Prize Draw today.

Graham

 

No I didn't. The XJ40 was sold before I could look it. I went to see the XJS and it was far rougher than it appeared in the pictures.

I'm of the mindset I can fix the mechanical more so than the cosmetic. Trim, paint and interior components can be harder to deal with than a blown engine or transmission.

 

The price dropped on the ratty XJS to $2950 but still about $1500 to high but this showed up over the weekend.



Oh where is that winning lotto ticket????

 

I hear you!

 

Hi,
New to the forums and just joined here a few hours ago.
Found this post while reading through other posts, decided to let you know I am here and hope to be for awhile to come.

My name is Robert, I am from Australia and recently bought my first jag (1988 XJ40 Sovereign).
Loved jags for many years but they were always out of my budget,
now I finally have one and yes it has lots of little niggling problems, but I hope that I am able to gradually sort through them and restore her to her former glory.
I will be relying quite a bit on the suggestions and recommendations of the forum members as I really don't know a lot about the Jag and will be learning as I go.
I also hope that before long I will also be able to offer suggestion and tips to others.

 

Welcome, Robert! The XJ40 is actually a good place to start in Jag ownership. There's lots of support. Many of the problems are well documented and reported on. It will help you to learn the "archive" feature of the forum for looking stuff up. But folks are also really friendly around here and love to help out with suggestion when they can. Enjoy the new car!
Scott