Okay, so about time I gave this a bit of an update. I will write a full update on what has been going on with the Escort tomorrow as I need to download the pics from my phone and get them uploaded before I can do that. There has been a few additions to the fleet of late however.
First of all, I was browsing this forum at the back end of January and came across something which would be ideal for load lugging duties which I need to carry out. Some messages were exchanged and a train ticket booked for the following day. £240 was handed over and I drove away happy -
Lots of history though and one owner for 22 of its 26 years on the road..
Not perfect by any means, but for 250k miles and the price, with MOT until July I was more than happy. Work needed to get it up to scratch:
1) Some rust on N/S Front arch - to be flapwheeled back, repaired and painted.
2) Headlamp washer arm missing, the missing arm was found inside the car so I need to look into why it's not on the car and repair/bodge/replace as necessary.
3) Headlining is missing (common fault) - backing board is there, just need to cover with fabric.
4) Light cluster only partially lights up in the dark - another common problem which I have been advised by those in the know can be repaired.
5) O/S Rear light cluster to be replaced.
6) A bloody good clean up inside.
Anyway, I used it as a daily for a couple of weeks and I continue to be really impressed with it. Nothing like a bit of cheap motoring. It's a 2 litre SE model with a manual box, it is a big sluggish but it has a massive load capacity which is the main aim of the game for this thing. So, following some regular use for the commute, it is now on loan to my mate who needed a large family car, whilst we re-commission his modified E34 520i Touring. I will write up on this thread what was done once the work has been completed - It's been off the road for 5 years and stored on damp mud/grass, so should be interesting....
When the Volvo went out on loan (last weekend), I decided to scratch another itch which needed to be done. After a bit of research, I was all set on wanting another Jaguar. Stipulations were simple - it had to be an XJ, nothing else would do. I found adverts for some XJ40's which fitted the bill and also X300's and X308's. As I was going to be using it as a daily, I narrowed it down to the X308, simply due to the fact that it is a bit more modern and can provide some of the creature comforts I so desire from a daily.
I shortlisted a few cars and last Sunday, decided to go and view the cars on the list. What an absolute screw on this was. Ideally, owning a Transit Beavertail, I would have summoned this to travel the country looking at Jag's, but unfortunately it was in France with my mate on a paid job, so that was out of the question. Options were vast, but in the end my dad's trusty Omega was decided on - I would drive to view the cars with my dad, then when I had made a purchase he would bring his Omega home whilst I drove the Jag. Simple.
At this point, it seems an opportune moment to mention that this Omega has had a grumbling diff for the last fortnight and I made a conscious effort to kill it on the previous Wednesday night (to no avail). But that's not important, right?
I hadn't even got to the end of the road when...
So we went back, plugged it in and diagnosed a Lambda sensor. Not critical, we could continue the journey and put it on the list of things to do. Surely, at this point, it should have triggered in my head that maybe this wasn't a good idea? No, of course not.
Now, there aren't many pictures of this bit for good reason. We got to West Yorkshire bright and early to look at the first XJ8. I spoke at length to the vendor yesterday and was assured it was 'perfection'. It was far from it and there are no pictures as Big JohnK has to physically restrain me from trying to punch the cocky little so and so in the mouth.
Moving on - Nottinghamshire - Jag no 2/3. What a machine! Okay so it was a 3.2 (I wanted a 4.0) but hey ho Nevermind. A deal was struck and we were on our way!
So, the eagle eyed of you will notice that I'm in a motorway services. For good reason - it was VERY foggy. And it was at this point that I couldn't see anything in front of me I realised that the headlights didn't curse word work. So I waited... And I waited... Then when the fog went, so did I.
I will mention at this point I had (conveniently) left the tools in the boot of the Volvo. You know the car I drove from my house to my dad's and it would have taken 2 seconds to swap them over?
I will also point out, I don't have breakdown cover. I have a truck, why would I need it? Especially when it's in France...
Regardless, I was back on the road and it was going well. I saw loads of interesting cars on the road but missed every opportunity to photo them.
30 miles later, I look in my rear view mirror (Big JK following to make sure I'm ok) to flashing headlights from him. I pulls into the next layby and a discussion ensued that the diff on the Omega was very loud. At fear of leaving a 70yr old pensioner in the motor, we agreed my dad would scoot off in the Jag and I would take the Omega, this time with the Jag following - first time that the new car has had to follow the car we went down in!
The sensible person in me told me it was a good idea to flog said Omega up to excess speed on the private road* in lane 3 when, yep you guessed it, the diff gave way completely and locked up. After nursing onto hard shoulder I kicked the curse word out of he car. Literally.
Anyway, it was definitely worth it...3.2 XJ8 Sport -
This lead on to even more ideas being spurred. The Omega was off the road, so the Jaguar was left with my Dad to use whilst I got it back on the road and I started using the Escort as a daily. In the pub on Tuesday evening and discussions took place with my old man. Agreements reached, plans made...
Yes you have seen that. 1997 XJ6 (X300) with the 4 litre straight 6 engine. Not bad for £500 notes... I've actually bought this for my old man as he was impressed with the XJ8, but it is up in the air whether he wants it now as he
may have changed his mind. I'm not bothered either way, if he keeps it we flog the Omega on, if he doesn't want the XJ6 then I will keep it myself and maybe move the Escort on..
These old Jag's really are a lot of car for the money. Although the exterior changes between the X300 XJ6 and the X308 XJ8 are minimal, they are both very different cars. The X300 interior is more old fashioned, similar to my old XJ40, compared to the more modern interior on the XJ8. The straight 6 engine is also a very different motor as well - a lot more 'raw' which echoes my XJ40 and very similar in sound actually to the M30 engine in my E23. I love the sound of that engine, which is probably why I rate the Jag too. That's not to say the XJ8 isn't a very good car though, but they have different charms. If my dad does want to keep the XJ6 I might still sell the Escort and hold out for a tidy X300 to run alongside the XJ8 or maybe an XJ40.
Escort & E23 updates this week!