1976 XJ12L. 35 years same owner. Professionally installed new engine 20K miles.

Description

1976 Jaguar XJ12L owned by me for about 35 years, purchased and driven locally in Colorado for 15 years, driven here to California and used locally for another 20 years. It drives very smoothly and quietly on the freeways and runs cool. I provided maintenance and my Mother, now deceased, was the primary driver both in Colorado and California.

See nadaguides.com (Classic cars) for suggested values.

The Engine

Jaguar connoisseurs will be disappointed to know that there sits under the hood a completely rebuilt and professionally installed V-8 with less than 20K miles on it…but better said now so as not to waste your time. The odometer shows about 85K and estimated mileage on the engine is less than 20K. The engine: 5.7L 350 C.I., inspected by the State of California, Bureau of Automotive Repair and affixed with a permanent compliance sticker located in the driver's door jamb.

As for me, the 12 cylinder engine was expensive to operate and repair. Its DNA apparently has been compromised some say but others in a practical way, say differently i.e. easy accessibility within the engine compartment, easy to tune up, easy to find parts, 87 octane, etc. One other thing: the 12 cylinder had a notoriously-known propensity to have engine fires due to the English fuel injection system. The 8 cylinder, 5.7L 350 C.I. Chevrolet engine has lots of power…plenty…and very good on gasoline. Estimated mileage on the engine is less than 20K.

Smog-testing

It has 2 new catalytic converters, a new carburetor and 2 new gas tanks which will keep you passing smog for years to come. Smog tested easily for 2016 renewal tags. The engine was inspected by the State of California, Bureau of Automotive Repair. The engine was found to meet strict California standards, was approved, and is affixed with a permanent compliance sticker located in the driver’s door jamb. It has been registered as such here in California for 20 years in my name.

Details

View all the images but there are more good things you cannot see in a photo. You will not have to buy new tires. It has never been in an accident. All of the exterior lighting is in working condition including brake lights, back-up lights, running lights and headlights, high and low dim. Interior open-door lights work.

Rear seat arm-rest opens and closes easily. Driver all-door-lock rocker button works. The emergency flasher is good. Wipers are good. New ignition switch is good. Interior light button is good. Fuel gauge is good. Radio and powered antenna good. Volt (battery) gauge is good.

The battery is new.

The alternator is new.

Temperature gauge is good (engine always runs cool). The window up-down rocker buttons are all good. The fan and temperature switches for the air-conditioning are good. Speedometer is good, calibrated and accurate.

The power steering is good. Push-button interior light works.Push-button fuel tank switch works. Push-button map light switch works. Push-button heated rear window is probably good.

It has never been in an accident.

Replace the driver’s seat-belt. All other seat-belts are good.

NON-TERRIBLY COSTLY THINGS THAT YOU DON’T NECESSARILY NEED TO DO:

1)Smaller area of the headliner, right and left at rear window, damaged by sunshine.

2)Replace a section of the driver’s seat at "wallet" area (see photo).

3)Install the heater core, not needed so much here in southern California, and by-passed in the normal way years ago.

4)Fix the odometer/tachometer. Speedometer is calibrated and good

5)Replace some optic lights.

6 Hang and attach the “backing” for both rear doors(see photo) and cover over withsimilar upholstery. These are removed for access to rear speakers and window motors. Templates (backing) are in my possession.

Mileage

The odometer is 85K. Engine mileage is far fewer miles than than 20K. The engine was professionally and completely rebuilt by a specialty company in Colorado Springs. The odometer/tachometer stopped working sometime after the engine conversion so the car mileage itself is between 95K and 105K.

RETIREMENT DOWN-SIZING IS THE REASON FOR SELLING