My 65 4.2 MK X was a gift from my father. It was the fourth Jaguar our family owned. The others included a 59 3.4, a 59 XK150 S convertible, and a 63 3.8 MK 2. I consider this big Mark X to be the coat of arms of my family. The experience of enjoying Jaguars is a significant part of my family history. While a student at Purdue University, I borrowed the MK X to drive back to school one weekend. The combination of potentially reckless youth, bias ply tires and a heavy Indiana afternoon rainstorm created my first and almost last journey into the phenomena known as aquaplaning. Driving surely too fast for conditions, the X suddenly felt like a simulation of something NOT called driving. Despite my freshman status, instantly I did one thing right...I did nothing, no jumping on brakes, and no useless flailing at the wheel. For a moment of some measure, the earth was a glassy ball rotating beneath our stately sailing transport.

Like snapping out of a dream, she suddenly broke back down thru the layer of water and became something that would let me at least participate in the driving experience. Heart thumping silent sighs came from every seat. On we traveled in foggy grace, pace and space blowing thick rooster tails on the Indiana freeway.

Our Mark X did succeed at saving itself and us that stormy day. For that rescue, the love of Jaguars, my reverence for craftsmanship, and the memory of my father I am restoring the XLGJAG. After getting reports along the delivery route, the Mark X finally arrived. Despite not running for five years, I dove into the car until it I could phone my father and let him hear it run.

The restoration is a long and continuing story but at this time I have restored and installed all the mechanicals. I have just removed the wood and am now mid way thru the body stripping and priming. To date I have done all the work myself except the engine and transmission internals.

Hope you enjoy the photos. I can write more but hope this was a start.

Clarence Novak