Just curious, what about it makes it cost 20k? Is there something that alone costs a big chunk of that 20k to fix or is it just everything about it pricey?

 

Jaguar and cheap usually aren't used in the same sentence. The guy that had this car restored spent almost 100K on it. It is a concours quality restoration - I'd be too afraid to drive it. But it is beautiful.

 

If you really wanted to could it be cleaned up and be running for a few grand? I know this would be the same thing as painting an early corvette in your garage but I just wondered if there was something like transmission parts that aren't available anymore that had to be custom made or something along those lines. So all you are saying is that this is one of those cars that you either make it in A1 shape or don't bother.

 

I'm more of drive it as you wish....who cares if it's a perfect car or not? What does it matter what other people think? (esp Jag owners... ) Please yourself...

 

On any car that's been under water, everything electrical is suspect. Dirt and mud get into everything, places where you can't get in to fix, like inside switches and motors. But the entire dash will need to be rebuilt, all the instruments, switches, everything...........

Parts are generally available, and no more expensive than any other old english car. Some rare items are spendy, like instruments and switches, but you can usually find them easily enough online.

Depending on how long it sat under water or with water in it, you'll be disassembling the engine trans and diff, there's no point in doing that unless you replace bearings and seals while you're in there and a motor that old will need to be rebuilt completely.

The interior will need to be gutted, both because it will stink to high heavens and because you'll need to remove it to fix rust - there will always be rust, just like in a classic Mini - and to get to electrical parts. You should also replace the wiring harness - not a strong suit when new, now that it's 30 years old and been under water it's worthless.

And on, and on, and on.........there is no way to repair this car into a driver without simply restoring the car.........

 

That's why we're parting the car out. We've found some very pleasant surprises. For example the engine internals are pretty good. Very little corrosion and the cams and crankshaft are almost pristine. The gearbox shifts smoothly, too.
The horror stories include the brake calipers, gauges, any electric motor and anything made of Mazak. It turns to dust when you touch it. The DPO let the car sit for almost three years. Never even opened the door.
We have been contacted by a number of Jaguar restorers wanting the electric motors anyway - they intend to rebuild them. It seems that the originals are in demand for concours quality restorations. Jag folks tend to have deep pockets and will spend to achieve an absolutely perfect restoration.
We Mini folks tend to be more 'to each his own' as far as our cars go. I'm a Mini guy...

 

It makes sense. I was thinking whats so expensive about changing some wires/motors/switches, and re-upholstering the interior. But a Jag has more fancy parts and more of them in general. Plus if you're going to take the engine apart to clean it why not rebuild it. I bet replacement gauges are one of those things that eats up a significant portion of that 20k.

If you can't tell I'm one of those guys who would have 10 of them sitting in the back yard rusting away before I would part one out just because I hate to see another classic bite the dust.