And Now For Something Completely Different

[fattb]

I have always fancied an XJS, but what with young kids and a lack of time and funds (i have an Impreza STI that eats tyres, brakes and V-Power for fun as my daily driver for 20k a year !)and haven't been able to stretch to it

Anyway one friday back in Feb after a thursday night out i was presented with the best hangover cure ever, a burgundy XJS my wife bought unseen from the fleabay classifieds for a 3 figure sum it had been sitting in a barn for 2-3 years so was a bit of a punt !

So first things first MOT time a bit of gaffer taper a few bolts and bulbs and 2 new tyres and at 15in they won't be expensive.....wrong its a Jag only size that only Pirelli supply so £125 each plus fitting !! anyhoo we now have a MOT certificate

On driving back from the test centre not soo good, smoke pouring out from the rear of the car, after a bit of investigation i realise its the rear brakes/handbrake, that can't be bad ........doh its a 1990 XJS that has 'inboard' rear brakes which means you have to remove the rear subframe

So it has spent a few weeks with Sabre vehicle services (nee kent performance)had a full service and the rear disc's/calipers/pads/cables replaced, i plan to maintain it myself from now on but am a bit of a novice and thought it would be better for someone who knows what they are doing to give it the first once over

Have been tinkering a bit as well sorted out the central locking as it was seized bit of WD40 ! few new fuses and we now have radio and lights, the headlining needs doing as does the seat bolster on the drivers side, paint needs some work in place's and the nsr arch needs attention (going to have a go at this myself)apart from that there is very little rust , the windows have a mind of their own, think they need new motors so looks like a low cost fix,

So i finally got to drive it over the weekend, 120 miles to be exact (didn't miss a beat Craig) and wow what a great piece of kit completely different to anything i have driven before, it really is smoother than a babies bot ! bit of difference to the STI in all but its drink problem, £40 = 1/4 of a tank

Oh and its the 3.6 I6 engine not quick but has about 260lb/ft so it rows along nicely enough

Anyway here is a pic or 2 ! before any cosmetic work has taken place

Full album here http://public.fotki.com/FATTB/jaguar-01/

Tony