expansion tank was rebuilt too. Weld +seal +paint.

 

Me rebuilding the back cowl tray.

 

Front hood (inside). Emma is removing all the rust (VERY HARD WORK). Then: clean, sealer, paint, seam sealer, undercoat, paint the undercoat = Ready for the hood liner! I already bought it.

 

Seals, making gaskets, rear bearing, checking solenoids,...

 

My XJ12 is going to rock! Scott from La Jolla Audio is designing the system. I'm going to get the Audison speakers and I don't know about the amplifier module yet. We are still working on it. The stereo harness must be ready before upholstery!

 

OMG!!! You can't imagine how many parts there are in this car... OMG!

 

OK, I got the rear main seal. Since everybody was terrifying me about it... I went to find some help. TONYYY!! Tony is my angel. He is one of the most knowledgeable guys I know and he had several experiences with theses engines. I could listen him for hours, I love him!

The new seal is on place!


NOTE: After read a million articles about it... Yes, the measurements to resize the new seal are still a secret... Everybody takes the own risk.

 

First steps for upholstery... fix the broken roof insulation

 

The Euro hinges are here! Now sand blast + paint.

 

Now that's what I call an update! Excellent work. Gets me excited about my own XJ. I'm at least a year away from starting the resto though...

 

As I'm getting parts I'm going forward with the engine. Almost there!

 

Debbie. Got to add that you have my deep admiration for your dedication to this project. I started a restoration of a 1986 XJ6 Sovereign over five years ago and never got it finished. I lost interest. Ended up cutting it up and using some of the parts to rebuild what was once a pristine 1992 series III Canadian Limited edition V-12 VDP that found itself slightly modified in an accident with a Woman driver who was trying to drive while talking on a cell phone an drinking a cup of coffee. Sorry don't know how to add picture.

 

Thanks Bob! Yes, It's a huge project with a ton of parts also a big budged. First you find that Jag parts are cheap compare other classic cars... but there are a lots of parts! and is a big 4 doors sedan!! So everything is money and lots of hours of work.

 

Not to mention more delays when you discover you need a part(s) you haven't got - Or had no idea you would need - Or perhaps overlooked - Or ...?

Great work, Debbie, you have a good team.
(';')

 

Hey Debbie!
That looks like a Lamborghini Miura behind your V12.... I visited the factory in September about 45 mins outside Maranello (after test driving a superleggara and an F-458 Italia around the Ferrari factory). Fantastic museum.

Your V-12 is a work of art.

 

Hey! you have a good eye! and it looks like you also have passion for the Italian automobiles. This a Miura prototype, one of the very first ones that the factory did. I'm very lucky to work in a bunch of them.

 

Installing the injectors and the secondary air.

 

Totally agree!! I just was going to tuning the engine and swap the upholstery from any donor car.... and look! OMG!! I can't even understand what I did and, why? I guess I can't fix one thing and leave another hanging around... I just fall in love with the car and I like to work on it.
Some people are asking me about my investment on it... -well I saved all the bills but I'm not going to put them together... and the price? how much? 5k, 10k, 20k, 50k, ... -I DON'T CARE!!! I'm not going to sale it unless I can't afford to buy my own food....

 

Early in my membership here, other members with way more experience than I have at this, strongly advised NOT adding up everything spent on repairs/restoration. I have followed that advice and recommend it to others.

I'm thinking it would take ALL the fun out of it if we knew for sure we've bought the car again or maybe even spent more than that. I wouldn't be surprised, but I'm Not going to kick that sleeping dog.

We thought we had a pretty good idea what we were getting into when we jacked the car up 6 months ago but we were CLUELESS!! By now I'm just hoping to get it back on the road before summer ends!

Working on these Elderly cars Has to be an enjoyable hobby because it's certain no one will ever get their money out of such a car, no matter how good it looks or how well it runs. And we're in too deep to stop now.
(';')

 

Well, eventually the prices are going to go up. Currently is very difficult to find a XJ12 Series 2 in good shape and California legal. I'm just wondering, how many 1976 cars we have running around? If you thinking to import one of these cars in California... and adapt all the smog equipment on it... Just Forget! I spent few minutes following use cars in several webs and magazines and I couldn't find any series II in good shape... and any of them were here in California....