The guy that sold me my old 63 Rambler American has a 61 Jag mark 9 he brought back from England, It's a left hand drive big ol' 4 door sedan with plenty of rust in the body. He was able to drive it into the trees, where it's parked now, about 5 years ago but it's got tree junk all over it and I believe a few windows have been broken out or left open. Interior is junk. I can get the car for cheep, cheep but wonder if this is a super desireable car or something I can hot rod with no regrets? I always wanted a Rolls Royce but reality says I can't have one...this car has a remarkable resemblance to a Rolls/Bently with a price tag I can afford... I can see it with a mild 400 sbc, 350 turbo....[which I already have] and cold air. Comes with a new fender to replace a bent one and a new grille..has skirts too. It's just too cool to not buy! 1...Are these desireable collector cars? [can I update the mechanicals without fear of ruining a $150,000 car?] 2.......is it cost prohibitive to repair the 4 wheel disc brakes? 3...is it cost prohibitive to retain the original suspension and will the rear axle hold up to stately motoring with a 350 chevy for power? I can't get the mental picture out of my head of Ryan's dad bustin his luxo-barge through the 1/4 with the a/c on..running a low 13...I can dig it with a mark-9...
As I see it, Rocky, You only got one choice. Me thinks you already made it. But a sbc? That car screeeeeems for BIG POWER. Specialy ifn you wnat to beat Ryans 38.
theyre not worth the steel they are made from rocky.go for it,you could only improve it.seriously they arent worth much even restored.E-types are about the only valuable sixties jag.
look at it a little closer I had a friend asked if I wanted a jag rear end for free. I said bring it on and found a whimpy solid axle drum brake piece of crap laying in front of my shop. one more thing to haul to the bone yard. really check the rust problems before you haul it. those british cars don't seem to hold up any better the U.S. versions
They're not worth a fortune, so no guilt trip if you cut one up. The rear axle is pretty strong, so should easily cope with a mild 350 and stately motoring. I'd go for something with an overdrive, it'll be a cruiser. The wheel bolt pattern matches chevy so wheel choice is wide open. The rear brake calipers (if they're the same as a mkII) can be replaced with ones from the later independant rears if you skim the disk down 1/8" or so. Mart.
You mean somethin' like THIS?... <img src=http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_334f80f2254eeb917a06ffb0f3e98382/i-1_B.JPG> I think it'd be a great place to hide a screamin' 289 Ford with a T-5 tranny! It could be cool...I think you oughtta do it!
Even here in SoCal where you can get this model Jag in rust-free condition, they are not worth much. I wouldn't take one if they delivered it to my driveway. By the way, I have restored a few English cars, it's not a job for the weak of heart or resolve...
Fat HAck......not even close. Get your mind to think Rolls Royce/Bently, a car half again as big as that little maroon "compact" Jag in the photo...add in a verticle, straight bar grille like a Rolls with headlights to match and tu-tone paint and you got it...
Yes generally speaking they are worthless, especially rusty... My best friend works on and restores old Jag's and other british cars for a living if you want his name/number you can call him at his shop... he'll tell you anything you ever wanted to know about that car, and then some. Email me if 'ya like, [email protected] Jim
Rock.........I had a buddy in Philly that built one O' them a few years ago.....he put a Nova front end in it and put in a matching rear (MUCH easier to get parts when ya break down in east podunk !)It made a NICE ride man !! AND--- He sold it for BIG BUCKS 'cause it LOOKED CLASSY and had modern stuff(air,ps,pdb,cd,etc.....).Didn't have TOO much cash in it either ........... Jersey Skip
Can of worms.....in fact a big can of worms, i know you said its cheap but i would hunt down some of that beautiful American iron you have all around you!
Have you been under it yet to check out rust on the bellypan (did these things have real frames?). I know someone who went to look at a 62 that had been sitting outside for a few years and though the exterior rust on the body was not too bad, the whole underside of the car was pretty much toast. Around here with the freeze thaw cycle we get in late fall/early winter to late spring, it seems like every day condensation from it going from cold to warm deposits another coat of rust producing moisture on the undersides of cars left outside over grass, gravel or dirt.
I just got home from giving it a good look.....it's total junk. The back of the rocker fell off whan I opened the back door....I sat down in the driver's seat and my feet went through the carpet...no floor. There have been so many times the sun roof leaked, the humidity rusted all the screws and nails holding about 278 board feeet of wood in the dash and door panels, framing around the windows, sunroof etc etc. All the wood is in heaps on the floor of the car where it fell. I checked the engine and it actually turns with the belt but it's the standard issue Jaguar OHC 6 banger that was a high maintainence nightmare....and the windshield, though not broken or cracked, has bubbles all around the outside where the lamination is coming unraveled...and the damn thing's an automatic! Good news is the color. The car was originally a black car with silver bottom....but green leather interior?????? Gimme a break......no sale today...
Neal Young was right,Rust never sleeps.Jag rebuild parts are expensive.If the shell was solid enough,I'd consider late model Vette suspension front and rear.Might find some help here: V8 Jag site
I know a couple of guys who had been looking for an 80's Jag sedan to do a SBC / Turbo 350 swap (to make a daily driver), but the underbody rust they keep finding on Northeast Jags has kept them from trying one. They are convinced they will have to go to CA or the Southwest to find a solid 80's Jag.
They did make a two door "fixed head coupe" but a "shooting brake" would be cool...That's what the limeys call a stationwagon.
Rocky, Concentrate on the swinging watch, relax, repeat after me. I WILL NOT GET SIDETRACKED BY MEANINGLESS DEADEND PROJECTS. I WILL CONCENTRATE ON GETTING THE CHEVY TRUCK DONE. NOTHING WILL KEEP ME FROM THE TRUCK. There, now don't you feel better and refreshed and eager to tackle that "HAMB drag Hemi powered monster"? Frank
I will not get sidetracked...I will not get sidetracked, ad infinum.....It worked! I'm finished with the Jag Project now.... Speakin of which....
Well, I dunno, but I love those porky old things! God help me! Love the burled wood and Smiths gauges, big 4 spoke (Brooklands style) wheel and the leather upholstery. Ever since I was a kid. Now I understand, cuz those old Mk IX's etc were the last examples of the pre-war (WWII) classic notions of luxury and high performance. Eventually Packard, Cadillac and Mercedes put paid to that style. The Jag, Rolls and Bentley were the last hold outs. And the Jag gave pretty good performance too, for a fraction of the price. How much for the Jag motor? and freight from Omaha? I'd put a blower on the thing!
If you're serious, I can put you in touch with the current owner and you two can hash out the price. I just don't want a HUGE PROJECT RIGHT NOW! must stay focused.....must stay focused.....must stay focused....
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