Re: 420G Purchase Question

["Chris Stephenson" <cstephenson@dttus.com>]

     I purchased my 420G about two months ago. It has been badly weather 
     beaten, but has a straight, rust-free body. The car currently shows 
     58,000 miles on the clock and runs great! It needs complete interior 
     ($4,500), paint and lots of TLC. When I purchased it, I had to fit a 
     new exhaust ($800) and will soon need to replace the U-joints in the 
     back. Parts are expensive, but no more so than other Jags.
     
     Price I paid - $2,500 US.
     
     I agree that it is a great car with plenty of room. It get lots of 
     looks and people inquiring about it at gas stations. I have seen 
     excellent ones advertised for $10,000 US.
     
     I agree with John...this sounds like a $500 car.
     
     Chris


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: 420G Purchase Question
Author:  "John T. Horner" <jthorner@garlic.com> at Internet-usa
Date:    2/25/97 3:12 AM


<snip> 
> The car was parked outside and weather beaten for about 10 years (that's 
> where I saw it - it's parked at a mechanic's place, the guy is a general 
> mechanic, not a Jaguar mechanic). The car was originally brought there by 
> the owner to overhaul the engine.
> 
> There is no engine and transmission in the car. It seems that the engine 
> was sent to a machine shop to re-bore the cylinders but when completed, 
the
> owner was unable to pay for the job, thus the engine was left at the 
> machine shop (that was about 10 years ago). The owner it appears,
> subsequently left the car at the mechanic's place and asked him to see if 
> he could get a sale for the car.
> 
<snip more detail about the car>
     
     
Sheldon,
     
Been there, done that.  We purchased a 420G in better condition than you 
describe (for one thing, it was complete, no missing parts).  The purchase 
price was $2500 US and it needed an engine rebuilt, new interior and basic 
outside restoration (paint, chrome, etc.)
     
With much of the work being done by a shop at negotiated low rates and some 
major portions done ourselves (complete wood refinishing, rebuild front 
end, lots of little stuff) we have nearly $30,000 into the car now and it's 
market value is at best 1/2 that much.  It's ok though, because we love the 
car and plan to keep it another 20 years at least.
     
The Mark X /420G seems to currently be one of the least loved older Jaguars 
and market values reflect this.  It is, however, a terrific car and I have 
no regrets about ours.
     
That said, if you want one the key is to purchase the absolute best example 
possible which certainly means a complete running car with a serviceable 
interior and rust free straight bodywork.  Such cars do exist in the US.
     
Even if you did spend the time and money required to restore your find it 
would not have the correct engine number and as such would be further 
reduced in value.
     
There really is nothing else quite like a 420G to be found on the roads 
these days.  An XJ6 has much more cramped interior accommodations.  Many 
uninformed passerby mistake our car for a Rolls Royce, perhaps because of 
it's size, elegant black over silver paint job, smashing red leather 
interior and more wood than a Chris Craft speed boat.
     
Find a really clean one and give it the love and attention it deserves, but 
don't jump into a car which needs a new motor found, major rust surgery 
underneath and the other problems you mentioned.  Here in California at least 
the car you describe would at best be a <$500 parts car.
     
Regards,  John H.

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