2006-10-31 02:55:51 | Roger writes:

I did a buyer's inspection on this car in July of '99. It was a nice original machine, a bargain today at its asking price of $17,000. Here is my report:

Overall impression: Pretty nice car. Very original. Nice patina. Not perfect, but great as a driver, in that you could still look good and not worry too much about door dings, etc. Sits nicely, and looks good from a few feet away. I didn't drive it, but it started right up without smoke and sounded great.

Car: 1E 33371 (built March '67?)
Body: 4E 24810
Engine: 7E 9907-9 (original in car)
Gearbox: EJ 9498

History:
Owner has had car for five years, and father had it for a number of years before that. Didn't strike me as someone who lives and breathes Jaguars...but he has spent a lot of money at the Jaguar Shop (425-827-4887), a local garage with a good reputation. Very expensive shop, I've spent about $10K there over the years. Michael McGinnis, Jag Shop owner, isn't very interested in working on crummy cars, so that he has worked on this machine is actually a good sign. Owner thinks (but cannot find his history file) that the car may have had a clutch installed there.

Paint:
Black may be the original color, as I couldn't find anywhere that wasn't black--but it could just be a thorough repaint. The paint is old and not in perfect condition, but was a quality job at some point--it may be original. The driver's door has a small area which looks like it has been polished through to the primer. There is further evidence of primer on the driver's door hinge plate. I thought perhaps it was evidence of a respray from op. maroon, but I'm not convinced. The engine bay and subframe are black, though the subframe looks hand painted in sections, but it may just be grime.

Bodywork:
Couldn't find any obvious rust, even in spare wheel well or floors. Bodywork looks like it hasn't been hit hard. There is a small door ding in the driver's door, and looking down the side of the car, the driver's side is somewhat "ripply," but I don't think it's anything other than the built-in factory-installed waviness. The doors shut beautifully, compared to my car. Bonnet looks to be in good shape, hatch actually uses its catch, unlike my car. Sigh. Front license plate mounting is intact.

Chrome:
Decent, not damaged. Has the Amco bars installed. Wheels are chrome with varying amounts of rust on spoke nipples.

Interior:
Nice condition, has probably been retrimmed. Headlining is grey, but seems to be too velour-like to be original, and the trim panels that are covered by headlining material demonstrate decidedly un-Jaguar like workmanship, though they aren't offensive. Visors are trimmed in same material but in a way that may keep them in one piece, unlike the originals! Seats are nice, and carpets are decent, even if the driver's side is drifting around unattached. Dash top has been recovered, not exceptionally well, though the underdash trim panels look original and are in place. Instruments seem to work properly. Electricals all seem to work. Non-original blaupunkt tape player, with non-original speakers in console. Lit panel with switch names snapped off on washer end about 1" or so.

Engine:
Started right up from cold without any smoke. Sounds very nice. No undue oil leaks, though sump wasn't absolutley dry. Header tank very interesting. Not at all like mine, looks like a "home-made" replacement. Carbs are very clean, might have had recent work. Oil pressure was at very high end of gauge when cold. Alternator may not be charging at full voltage, as ALT light doesn't extinguish, but amp gauge show a slight charge with headlights on, and owner sez battery doesn't need charging. Exhaust is mild steel but in decent condition.

Gearbox:
Didn't drive, no impression.

Suspension/brakes/tires:
Front calipers look recent, painted that green that replacement cylinders are painted. Clutch felt firm, brakes did as well, Reservoirs/head shield are least inspiring part of underbonnet scene. Rear end was clean and looked like it might been recently worked on. Handbrake works, how well is uncertain, owner lived on very steep hill! I could leave the whitewalls at home, but tires were in decent condition.

Price:
Owner says there is some negotiation room. He priced it at 17K because he feels it's about $10K away from being a $30K car. Not so sure about that, but considering I have a similar car that I have $21K into, I'd happily go back in time and spend $16K on this machine. I have no real feel for the market at present, but it seems like a decent buy. The originality is nice, certainly.

2006-11-04 05:12:43 | Anonymous writes:

Very nice car...but who is the actual owner ? Please let us know.

2006-11-04 15:07:43 | Roger writes:

It's been eight years or more now, I'm sure it was sold in '99 and have no idea.

2006-11-04 15:08:13 | Roger writes:

To be clear, the person I did the inspection for opted NOT to buy it.