After one of the Coldest Winters we have had in the UK for many years

It was time to get my XJS 'Cherry Blossom' out of 'mothballs' for the Summer

During her Winter layup in the Garage, I took the very unusual and some might say 'risky' step of leaving the Soft Top down

Although during that time I checked her over on a regular basis, just to make sure that the Leather was not getting damp or going moldy

And am pleased to say that none of those things happened and in point of fact I would say that because the Air could circulate

She kept even better that She's ever done before, with no signs of any Condensation, so now the only thing to do was take the Covers off

And Start her up! assuming of course She would Start after being in hibernation for about 6 months without being started

As it turned out the Weather was absolutely perfect, the Sun was Shining, it was warm and that's the perfect combination

For what I have 'nicknamed' a Jag day!

The only problem being that I couldn't take her on the road, as She wasn't Taxed and while I would normally Tax her on the first of March

The Weather of late had been so bad, that I decided that it wasn't worth it and so have decided to Tax her on April 1st

So to-day would be a 'Shakedown' to sort out any problems before then and so the first job on the list was to remove the covers



Winter waterproof cover, taking this off felt like Christmas all over again



Maybe I should change her name to 'Dusty'



At this point I was Shaking in sheer anticipation, as this would be the first time that I'd had a proper look at her in months



She is already looking so good that I'm almost in Tears!



She looked so nice that there was really nothing I could say



Wowser! I think that I'm falling in love all over again!

Being caught up in that moment, I just couldn't hack it any longer and had to walk away and make some Tea!

All I needed now was Audrey Hepburn and then we would be going off on another 'Roman Holiday'

Although for now the GF will have to do

But just before I try and Start her up for the first time the first thing is to do some pre-flight checks

On Checking the Power Steering the Dexron in the reservoir had gone down quite a bit

For as of yet I had not fixed the power steering leak I'd had last year

Although it wasn't quite so bad since I changed over to Dexron Fully Synthetic



Down but not out and time to Top Up the Power Steering



Using a Shower Gel dispenser, it was very easy to Top Up the Power Steering with Dexron Fully Synthetic

As for Topping up the Rad, it only took about 100mm



The Rad was almost Full to the Brim with New Coolant, although I then added 100mm more to be sure

Then after Checking both the Oil as well as the Brake Fluid, there was nothing left to do but try and Start her up!

To be continued........

Having done all the pre-flight checks I walked around to the Boot/Trunk and took out the keys from my pocket

As I held them in my hand a shaft of Sunlight fell on them and seemed to make them sparkle in a satisfying sort of way

And could not have more excited me than if they had been diamonds as I slid the Boot/Trunk Key into the lock

As I lifted up the lid the memories of Summer that had once come and gone came flooding back

But this time we were planning to have more adventures than we'd ever had before but first of all I had to Start her up

The Exide non stock battery was nearly 3 years old and had been standing idle for the past six months throughout the Winter

With no trickle charger or battery maintainer, although She had just as much of a more impressive trick

A Battery dis-carnect switch (isolator) all over ebay for under a Fiver and very simply has to be one of the best things I have ever bought

As with the Battery totally disconnected, I've never known that Battery to ever lose its charge and have this device on all my XJS's



The Gadget with the 'Green Knob' is my Battery dis-carnect switch



Boot/Trunk lights are Shining and its looking good 'so far' but will She Start?

With the Battery re-connected and the lid of the Boot/Trunk closed, I walked around to the drivers side, then having opened up the door

I climbed into the Cabin and sat down upon the seat, where everything looked regal and as expensive as you might expect

Where the heady aroma of Connelly hide mixed in with a little touch of 5 Star Gasoline, was as intoxicating as the Perfect Summers day

And I had the Keys in my hand to that Kingdom of pleasure

As I slid the round ignition key into the Steering Lock, I was so excited I could feel my throat run dry, as I slowly turned it over to position 1.

Where I suddenly heard a very loud 'Twang' which had me thinking WTF was that!

It was the 'Sound of Last Summer' as I'd left the Stereo on and this was the very last Track that we played on the day that we put her away

Where the words had a bitter sweet poignancy that fitted that moment back then as they were doing now


'Live it up' sung by 'Mental As Anything' from 1985 where the 'Wizard of Oz' may remember that this was that 'Feel good' Soundtrack

From Crocodile Dundee

Written and Sung by Andrew 'Greedy' Smith with Martin Plaza/Reg Mombassa/Pete O'dohety and Wayne de Lisle

Reg Mombassa (what a great name!) also designs Artwork for 'Mambo' Surf wear and Stuff

So I will leave you to listen to that, as I've got my Cars to Insure for the Easter Weekend

To be Continued......