All of the Jaguar threads lately has gotten me thinking about purchasing a big cat. But they all seem to deal with the XJS model. What does GRM collectively know about the 420 saloon?
From my very basic research I uncovered a very limited model run from 66-69. Is it safe to assume that 420 specific trim and interior bits will be hard to source and expensive if found? How reliable and expensive is it to maintain a Jag engine? Are there any typical engine swaps that can be done with the 420?
I occasionally find non running ones listed for a few grand on e-bay. Should I banish the idea of a 420 forever from my mind before it can ruin me financially?
The Mark X is pretty much the same thing. A friend has one although his has been sitting for years and years. A good way to make yourself poor. All the costs of an E-Type with none of the financial upside.
Perhaps you ran into this today?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2853456977.html
The gears were turning in my head too, but I don't have the space/time as much as I want another old jaguar sedan someday...
Assuming you decide to do this, you might want to check to see if you fit inside. These are cars made for mid-20th-century Europeans, not 21st-century North Americans.
In reply to JohnyHachi6:
Looks like you found the same link that I did. It does look like it would make for a fun project.
I'd hold out for a Series 1 XJ6. There's no well reasoned justification for engine swaps except to save money. The XK straight 6 is a great engine, and it's the rubber and electric parts that let the car down.
JohnyHachi6 wrote:
Perhaps you ran into this today?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2853456977.html
The gears were turning in my head too, but I don't have the space/time as much as I want another old jaguar sedan someday...
Mmmm. As money pits go, that one looks pretty nice.
If the engine is good, it's a very nice engine but very costly to repair if it goes wrong.
As to the body, they rust like an Italian car that's been parked in a vat of brine. And the interior has several cows plastered all over it, so it't not cheap to repair.
Other than that, they're great cars, bigger with more room than a Mark 2.
our 1960 mk 2
