Jaguar Project

Last two weeks no physical progress at all. The good news is that I do not have a bill to pay. Signed and sent the paperwork for insurance with Hagerty's via a local Allstate agent.

I was wondering if there is another marriage between Jaguar and Cosworth. The only ones I found were in Formula One racing.

I have always had unique possessions from wrist watches to automobiles. I would like to know if there are any other Jaguar-Cosworth cars out there in the wild. I'll keep looking.

In the mean time, on todays visit I took some pictures of the business under the bonnet.


Engine compartment from the top. The hight tension wires may look like a mess, but there should not be a problem with any kind of crossfire as you are exposed to with perfectly parallel cable runs.


Left side of engine is a bit tight due to the steering column. The Ford-Cosworth engine uses wasted spark electronic ignition. There are 3 coil packs that fire one cylinder on the power stroke and the opposite cylinder on the exhaust cycle, burning any unburned fuel.


Front of engine. The only things robbing power are the alternator and the water pump.


Right side of engine. Spark plugs are very accessible.


Large electric fan only. Faster warmups and on demand cooling when forward motion is not enough.

These photos are actually in color and appear black and white due to the gray primer dust covering almost everything.

Jaguar Project - Bodywork

The work on the boot lid is progressing. The wood looks a lot better. Ran out of gas for the heli-arc for welding the aluminum feathers and bones back together.

I renewed the tags for both of my other vehicles for 2 years. I also picked up the form for getting registration, tags and license plate in Florida. I need to get this done before September 1st when the fees are going to DOUBLE. So I went for the 2 year renewal for the car and van, hope I can do the same for the Jaguar.
I am looking in to getting insurance from Hagerty Collector Car and Boat Insurance with a agreed value policy. They also have some interesting pamphlets and guides.

I hope I don't run in to a catch 22 where it requires registration to get insurance and insurance to get registration. ;-)

Jaguar Project - Bodywork

Major problems with the boot. Wood cross members cracked, lots of dings, dents and filler. Got another one with rotten cross members, but the aluminum in good shape. So doing a mashup of the two.
Wood being glued back together, then epoxy. Most of the rest of the body is done being prepped for painting.

Jaguar Project - Bodywork

Received parts today from XKs Unlimited. This is the new hood badge to replace the one that was lost somewhere in a move from San Diego to Pleasant Valley.

Talked to Richard today about my trunk lid. He found one with good metal, but rotten wood. My wood is in good shape, but the metal is in poor condition due to being rear-ended and repaired too many times.

Other parts I received were new clutch, brake and accelerator pedal rubber. And a new license plate and backup light assembly.

Jaguar Project - Bodywork

Latest visit today.


Right rear still being worked on. A lot of bondo removed, patch welded in and being prepped for painting.


Front end basically done.



Left rear almost there.



More progress.