Welcome new Cabriolet Member – Alan Tew

Started 17th November 2017 at 23:53 · Laurence Jones

📷 No photo added

Welcome Alan @cabriolet

Thank you for joining as a Cabriolet Member of the XJS Soft Tops Club, I hope you find the site interesting – feel free to participate in any new or past discussion topics.

You might like to know that we are having a meet up at a pub/restaurant near Halifax in a week’s time, last opportunity for a local Club meet in 2017 (probably) – Click here for details

Please reply to this topic and tell us how you discovered our website, a little about your Cabriolet, and even something about your enthusiasm and interest in them.

You have two Photo Albums created for you on this site, it would be great if you could add a photo or two of your Cabriolet for all members to see.

Laurence

Author

Replies
- 20th November 2017 at 13:24 #9574
  
  Anonymous
  Inactive
  
  Hi,
  Many thanks for your welcome message. It was always a desire to own an XJS, so now that i am retired I purchased 1 about 2yrs ago. I have been involved in a restoration of a Morris Minor and a Landrover Defender but they did not give the driving experience that my manual XJ-SC gives me. When I first drove my this car I was concerned about the steering and some suspension noise, but on inspection I could see that the issues were obvious.
  With regards to the steering the tyres showed that the tracking was way out. (New tyres and track rod ends sorted the problem)
  The suspension was sorted out by fitting new shock absorbers and 1 radius arm.
  There were some creaking noise that turned out to be a gearbox mount and 1 exhaust hanger.
  I have done many more other repairs such as… new oil cooler + feedpipes, qtr light seals,dashboard veneers, new rear valance panels and many more small parts.
  Prior to buying this car I had never experienced driving an old Jag but now that all these issues had been completed I find that the driving experience far exceeds any motors that I have driven.
  I own a New Honda CRV automatic and although it does what it says on the can, it does not give you the feedback the same as my manual Jag.
  It is clear that anyone buying a cheap XJS should expect that it will require a lot of work to get it to a good standard. I have spent loads on mine but now I can concentrate on keeping it in this condition.
  It is true that they present a little more difficulty getting under the car, so I have just manufactured some extensions to my ramps.
  I am a member of the JEC and XJS club but I am looking forward to being a part of this club that concentrates on the soft top versions.
  Sorry for rambling on but I am enthusiastic about these cars.
  Regards
  Alan
- 20th November 2017 at 14:43 #9576
  
  Trevor Kent
  Participant
  
  Welcome indeed fellow ‘Cabbie’. Hope you enjoy our rather special club!
  
  Cheers,
  
  Trevor Kent
- 20th November 2017 at 15:24 #9579
  
  Anonymous
  Inactive
  
  To add to my car description you will see that it has American style indicators, and after doing some research I found that my car was originally built in 1983 as a LHD car and then subsequently factory changed in 1986 to RHD. One sign of this is that there is a blanking plate on the near side door where the mirror control was originally fitted. At that stage they changed the body code to reflect the change.
  It seems obvious why they did this as 3.6 cabriolet sales were low in the US.
  Regards
  Alan
- 20th November 2017 at 16:36 #9582
  
  Laurence Jones
  Keymaster
  
  Hi Alan @cabriolet
  
  There is at least one other member who has one of these Cabriolets – Scott Foxall @scottfoxall
  
  I believe there wea a batch destined for US that never go there, and Jaguar themsevles did the LHD to RHD conversion.
  
  Hopefully Scott will join in this conversation and tell you more.
  
  Laurence
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