DocTock993

I have been offered, at virtually no cost to me, a 1986 Jaguar XJS coupe with ~78K miles on it. It is "barn-fresh" with a need for major restoration. For most of it's life it was driven and maintained well (by a little old lady - no joke), but it has been sitting, undriven, for at least 4 years, unprotected in a back-yard (Saint Louis weather - so the rust mites are already at work).
I would be interested in and able to do (I think) most to all of the disassembly, doing most to all of the interior work, and farming out the body, engine, tranny, suspension, exhaust, and electrical work.
I would not be planning on a Concours rebuild, but a rebuild using upgraded (otherwise known as working) parts, including a manual shifter. Not planning on a franken-Jag with a Chevy engine, but using the existing (possibly rebuilt) V12 with new improved headers, lift-gates, and air induction.
Am I looking at more of a headache/ money-pit than this car is worth? Or, would I end up (after much labor and $$) with an incredibly powerful luxury coupe?
Any input is valuable and appreciated.

Greg Fishman

Leave it alone, IMO. Put the time and money into a car that will be worth something like an older 911, if you want a project car.

Dan V

Have you ever driven an XJS?

X2Board

Take it, part it out, and spend the money on your 993.

X2

ca993twin

It would be a shame to invest so much time and money in a car that was a steaming pile when new, and hasn't improved any with age. I agree with the above... if you're anxious to do a restoration project, start with a more collectable, interesting car.

Bull

An '86 XJS, in excellent condition, is worth less than $5k in this area.

agdamis

Save yourself the trouble.

AM993

One piece of advice: drive one before you start anything. The XJS was my second dream car (after the 911) until I actually drove one. Shocking! On top, I once spoke to an old Jag specialist in Houston who told me "you really have to love this car, or to be British, to forgive the V12 multiple failures". I think he said it all... Stay away!

BobbyT

As an of two British "sports cars", I can say that every piece that falls off is of the finest craftsmanship...

DocTock993

Wow! Thanks for saving me a ton of money that can now go into my 993!
And, what was that about parting the XJS out? How easy (other than eBay) is it to sell these parts? What is worth anything if they are such piles of British excrement? Would it be worth the skinned knuckles to pull parts off? Are we talking new floormats worth? New suspension worth? or even a set of Gemballa Competition's worth?
No - never driven an XJS - I was hoping with increased air induction, a six speed manual tranny, and a gearing similar to what A-M is linking to the Cosworth V12, I'd have some ability to haul 4000+lbs around. How bad are they?

gordo993

ya know, that v12 sure would look cool in a lexan case in my automotive-themed basement...

Dan V

What I like about the XJS: after driving one (back in 89), just about every other car seems sporty and well designed.

carcommander

I would part it out by taking the whole thing and putting it on ebay starting at a dollar and they have to pick it up. I have used this approach a couple of times and somebody paid me to take something away.

Caveman

Run away! My brother's friend had a 5.3 XJS that he loved but which almost bankrupted him as so much went wrong on it.

dbf73

My mother had one of these. she didn't have a lot of problems with it but then she put very few miles on it - less than 20k in 10 yrs. The first time I drove it, my impression was that it was a British Camaro. Prince of Darkness indeed.