Purchase, Feb
2000
California car
I have been interested of Jaguars from 80s and during 90s
my interest fixed to Mk2, although others (E-type, XJ) are also my favorites. My
hobby was theoritical (books, video, internet) until February 2000, when I saw
an add in local (I was living temporarily in San Diego, California) newspaper,
selling Mk2. I called the guy and went to see the car.
After borrowing some electricity to dead battery, the car
started and we were able to drive a little bit with it, so I could see that it
runs and brakes. Last insurance sticker was from 1998, so it has been resting
for a while. Car was not in original condition, it was probably 'restored'
during late eighties/early nineties with new (then..) vinyl interior (instead of
original leather), refurbished wood (actually still very good), new living room
type (1 inch thick!) carpets (now fortynately mostly missing) and repainted (now
cracking and fainted). Despite of some minuses and maybe too high price, I
bought the car as my time in San Diego was near to end and I knew that no way I
could find similar condition (no rust) car from Europe. I got the car towed
home, as it was not registered and I did not actually trust that it could make
the all way back home.
After better examination
After checking the car more closely in my carage/yard, I
found out that steering locks after turning right. Or not actually lock, but it
feels so as the power steering losts its power. Could be dirty/worn steering box
or slipping belt or just worn joints. All joints and rubbers in front axle and
most of them in rear needs to be replaced.
I also found that the engine is not the original
one, but similar. That is the numbers are not matching, but 3.8L is correct
engine for this car. I know I should have checked this before buying, but as I'm
not matching number purist, I didn't bother. I still don't.
The rear axle is suspiciously narrow, the wheels
are so far from the spats that tyre can be easily removed without removing
spats. Maybe Mk1 rear axle, because it used to be narrower. Well, not my biggest
problem at a moment, got to think replacing some sunny day when almost
everything else is done.
Also some minor parts and chrome was missing or
broken.
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