2005-11-06 07:19:51 | XK Data writes:

The record was updated:

2005-11-04 06:17:07 | Lofty writes:

I purchased this vehicle in San Antonio, Texas, in May of 1969 at a Jaguar dealer, Motor Imports Inc. The dealer had just done a $900 brake job on it and the car's owner decided to walk away from it.

The car was originally from Pennsylvania and it looked like the owner had driven it on salty roads and never washed it. So, the lower door panels were rotten as well as some of the lower body channel that the bottom of the door closes against. The engine and drive train were very strong though and I actually took it smoothly up to 130mph one afternoon in Texas before backing off (-:

In late fall of 1969, I drove the car to Maine and parked it in a garage.

When I got out of the service in 1972, I rebuilt the car just enough to put it back on the road for my first two years of college. Essentially, I pulled the body off the frame, sandblasted the frame (which is in excellent condition) and put on a number of coats of enamel primer and gloss black enamel top coat, made some plates to replace the lower mid-section body rot (which wasn't all that bad) and had them welded in, completely stripped the paint and had the car painted.

When I had parked the car in 1969, I hadn't winterized the engine; so, the pistons were stuck in the cylinders and I decided to rebuild it. I had a machinist that I trusted check out the block and head and completely degrease everything. The cylinders weren't worn (no ridge at all) and only needed to be honed. So, I did new rings, bearings, cam chain, etc...the normal stuff you'd do on a rebuild. The original head, however, had a small hairline crack in the domed area above one cylinder, so I found another head for $50 and had the machinist check all of its components and completely rebuild it. I also replaced the clutch; although, the original looks like it still has quite a bit of wear left on it.

The engine ran great and I drove the car for two years while in college in Connecticut. But, when I transferred to Vermont, I decided to again put the car up because the heater was really not up to the Vermont cold.

For the past 30 years, the car has been stored up on blocks in its own enclosure that I built for it.

Vehicle Current (ie 2005) Condition:
The car was, in my opinion, fairly complete when I purchased it in 1969, with the exception that it was missing the following:
1. The passenger door ashtray.
2. The metal cover for the battery box on the right side. It does include the one on the driver's side.
3. Its original jack (I'm assuming that it did, at one time, have an original jack).
4. Some of its original tools. I do have some of the original tools.
5. The top of the dash had dry-rotted because the dealer hadn't fully secured the convertible top and rain intermittently entered.

The engine easily turns over by hand. I have not yet tried to start it; and I would expect that the buyer will want to complete at least a basic rebuild.

I still have the original head (see photos) that, presumably, could easily be welded and put back in service. The original head and all spare parts that I have for this car are included in this sale.

The car is an excellent candidate for a complete restoration. The body and frame are solid. There are no cracks or stars in the glass. I think that the vehicle’s strongest points are that the engine should be a fairly easy rebuild and the fact that the 4-speed transmission with electric overdrive and the rear end are as close to perfect as one could ever hope for. I got 26 miles per gallon on trips with this vehicle. The five wheels are good and true, though there are a couple of spokes missing from at least one of the wheels. You'll undoubtedly have to go completely through the braking system, however.

2005-11-06 07:24:14 | Roger writes:

What an interesting time capsule. Wish I wasn't building a house soon, I'd consider it. You should leave a way for folks to get in touch, if you use the "name" and "email" thingys to the side of this box the email is actually hidden, so you can remain anonymous if you want.

Thanks for the entry and the photos!

2005-11-06 13:27:37 | Steven D. writes:

Car is listed for sale on EBay:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll

With 7 days 2 hours left in the auction there have been 5 bids to a price of US $21,400.00 (Reserve met)

2005-11-06 13:55:55 | Steven D. writes:

The actual VIN number for this car should be: S831400DN

2005-11-07 06:32:08 | Philip Porter writes:

How excellent that another XK has been found alive. It is amazing how they keep coming out of woodwork!

2007-05-23 10:55:13 | John Elmgreen writes:

This car was bought from the Nov 05 EBay auction for US$29,100 by a South African buyer where the car in 2007 is now located.

2019-02-05 10:42:22 | pauls writes:

Note; as of 2/19 a car is being offered in California using this VIN in the listing, it is incorrect however, that car is actually T831403DN.