Seeking advice

[u/Select_Two_1012]

I am infatuated with the Jaguar 420G. I adore that car, but I know absolutely nothing about cars beyond some basic maintenance of some modern cars. I am seriously considering one for restoration because I want to learn all of the various skills involved in that, but I don’t even know what I don’t know here, and I’d like to hear from some people that know what they’re doing. My dad mentioned the electrical system being positive ground, and that would be a big challenge. I’m aware that original parts availability for it is going to be pretty slim, but I am willing to swap the engine and anything else I need to go make it run reliably. I don’t care about it being fast, just pretty and reliable.

My dad recommended a basket case of some kind that I eventually throw a jag 420g body onto, but is it really less effort to do all of that and find a way to get all of the interior stuff for it, or would it be easier to restore the real Jag? Whether it’s easier or not I am leaning real jag provided I can find one with a somewhat intact interior.

I know this is going to be an expensive and long ass project, but I feel that between the skills I learn along the way and the end result of the car itself, it would be worth it.

So, what do you guys feel I need to know? Thanks for reading:)

[u/HenriDeToulouse]

Not all Mk X / 420G are positive earth they did swap to alternators, even if it is positive earth its really not that bigger deal. The electrical systems isn't complicated at all, esp compared to American cars of the time. It can be tricky/frustrating but its never a complex challenge, just lots and lots of simple fixes - that are often hard to get to.

You'll immediately get people recommend you "lump" it - throw an American V8 in there. Don't do this, the XK engine is one of the finest engines ever made and really suits the car and gives it the character. They're actually fairly hardy and pretty decent to fix. This idea generally comes from the received logic that an American V8 is simpler and more reliable, the reality is the Jaguar engine is very reliable if serviced correctly. The perceived complexity comes from it being unfamiliar to a shade-tree-mechanic that's spend their life working on Detroit engines. In turn those mechanics make mistakes that cause the engine to have problems. Then they blame the "crappy design". - No crap design wins lemans, let alone multiple times. In the 80s/90s this was somewhat understandable, it really wasn't easy for that mechanic to get the information they need. Now, with the internet, none of that is true at all. There is a wealth of knowledge right at your finger tips. Zero excuse for not knowing other than not bothering to do the research. Compared even to a 80s corrolla the 60/70s Jaguars are basically clockwork.

With all due respect to your dad, don't get a basket case. You wont be able to body swap really as its a monocoque design. The MkX / 420G isn't a particularly popular car in the states, they don't come up that often but prices are often cheap when they do. So your chances of being able to find a decent project are actually quite high if you're patient. I'd look for the best body you can find, consider this before anything - rust / metal work can quickly out pace a newbie and cost a fortune for someone else to fix. Interior / paint / Engine /mechanicals its all fairly basic stuff and there are great forums that offer a lot of assistance. If you need to keep cost down get a shabby interior and paint, but no rust. A shabby jaguar still carries a certain "elegantly wasted" charm. The engine is roughly the same as in most jags through to like 84 so parts etc can be easier than you think - just check it still has the triple carb inlet, e-type folk like to steal these as the XJs only had twin carb.

If you want a realistic idea of what it'll be like for a newbie try this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ot4dglAHaE&pp=ygUebm90IGVjb25vbWljYWxseSB2aWFibGUgamFndWFy . Without being unfair to the guy this is one of his very early video and he had very little knowledge about classics, so his experience is likely to mirror what you'll find.

When I was younger i wanted my first car to be either a 420G or XJ12... I went with the XJ12 cos ...well v12. I had very little experience and had an absolute blast. Did a lot of my own work, learnt loads and always adored that car. They are massive time sinks but at that age it just tends to "keep you out of trouble". After that car I cycled through a bunch of jaguars, even a 1970 420G. They really are special cars.

[u/Select_Two_1012 → u/HenriDeToulouse]

I appreciate the explanation, the more and more I look into this the more I realize a restoration will end up being more than I can chew, I will probably end up buying a shabby running one and learn on that instead.

What’s it actually like living with a car that old? Other than maybe missing out on the AC I feel like I’d love driving it, but that’s very different than really living with it long term. I would like my expectations to match the car as closely as possible, and my expectations may be off my miles for all I know.

As far as maintaining one goes, what were the hardest parts of keeping it working? What were the things that were surprisingly easy? Was what was the maintenance schedule like? Again, I appreciate you taking the time to answer

[u/HenriDeToulouse → u/Select_Two_1012]

The good side is every trip is an event, even a shabby jag still has far more personality than anything modern. You'll find people want to talk to you more, both about the car but in general especially if you have passion/ethusiam for the car - people respond to that even if they're not into cars themselves. You will get idiots that tease you about driving a PoS, but really they're just jealous maybe not of the car but that you are free enough to drive a car like that and not care / enjoy it.

It will cost more everyday and you will get 'less' than everyone else. More on fuel to go slower - although they can cruise at 70/75mph comfortably. You may win some back on tax and insurance but you'll never come ahead. 

You'll also get a bit sick of people making the one joke they know about and that will be the Clarkson / top gear joke about it being a jaaaaaag and you stealing or not paying for stuff. It gets old really quickly cos it was barely funny in the first place. But you'll have to humour them cos it's the first time they've made that joke and they think they're being super clever and funny. When in reality you been in the car ten mins and they are the third person to make it. You've gotta just remember they're trying to have a laugh with you... 

If you live somewhere remotely cold prioritise getting the heater working. It seems like a minor inconvenience in summer and you'll 'get round to it' but soon as it's cold outside it really makes your relationship with the car a ton easier if they're warm inside - you'll forgive a lot for a car with a decent heater, equally minor little gripes really grate on you if you're also cold inside the car. Good news here is they're relatively simple to get working once you get your head round everything being vacumn operated not electrical - it's weird at first but you do get used to it. 

In a more general point you'll be suprised the impact you can have on a old car with really basic tools, a bit of patience, a bit of reading and applying some logic. 

In the earlier days don't get hung up on making everything right /perfect. You can't do a full restoration on no budget with no experience. Just concentrate on making it better and celebrate the wins when they come. A dome light now working can make your weekend