1995 Jaguar XJS

Description

I’ve owned this car for about 15 years, and it’s been beautiful until it wasn’t.
I always used this car a runner to enjoy driving, not showing so the ripped seat was far from my concern. As you can see in the photos, the paint failed, and I had a dent repaired on the driver’s side getting it ready for paint.
Unfortunately, that is when I discovered some serious rusting on the undercarriage that made me rethink a second restoration. While I paused to think and not really wanting to give up the dream some disgruntled neighbor or some kids, who knows, decided to vandalize it, taking out the rear taillights and putting the dents in the driver’s side making it even harder to want to jump into a restoration.
To answer your questions, yes, she runs great, the engine and transmission are in perfect condition, and she starts up easily right now. The convertible top works as it should including the small rear side windows that still work when the top goes down, and I even had the AC blowing cold after some repairs (XJS people know how impossible that is..).
You could hook up a battery and drive off in it, but I wouldn’t go far.
The issues are the rusting and the cosmetic, not the mechanical.
One of the rear stabilizing arms disconnected due to rusting and I had the area cleaned and welded to reattach the stabilizing arm, but I can’t speak to how well that repair was made, it was done by an amateur to make the car drivable again so I could move it around even though I haven’t driven more than a dozen miles since the repair, but it’s not a proper restoration repair. Personally, I wouldn’t take this car on a long drive without a real once over, it’s been sitting for a while, and I’d just be too concerned about the undercarriage rust deterioration.
Is this car a candidate for restoration?
Only if you are a true body shop kind of guy. If I had the ability and access to the type of skilled labor needed without the retail cost, then maybe this car could be beautiful again since mechanically it’s great.
But I don’t and I won’t BS anybody about the condition. I hate that sort of bad buyer beware behavior, so I won’t sink to that level and I’m being completely honest about this condition.
So, what’s the best future for this car?
Honestly, I just don’t know, it’s beyond my ability to cost effectively restore…
If somebody works at or owns a body show and can perform rust restoration, then maybe this is the car you’ve been looking for.
No, I’m not going to entertain any BS offers either.
Anybody who knows XJS’ knows that parts are impossible to find, nearly everything must be repaired with used parts because many aren’t made anymore, some aftermarket parts have been popping up, but it’s hit or miss with what is available when you actually do need them, so the used market is crazy expensive and all the mechanical and electrical on this car is in working condition sot I know how valuable all these parts are.
The two headlights alone are worth about 0each, the front spoiler is worth about grand, so someone who wants to part this car out could eventually pull k to k out of it, easily, if they know how to dismantle and sell all the little electronic and mechanic bits that command hundreds each in the used market.
That’s the story, that’s the deal, do as you like.
I’ll answer whatever I can, but I think I’ve been honest and clear so good luck…