Evaristas

No leaper as it clutters up the bonnet.

.... Saturday.....

Angie, you've sold the X308 and now have anX350 or X358 if it's a 2007 car ? Nice !

When the XJS was a current car, there were several firms that did conversions and in time all went away with no demand. I shall have a look for some photos although the job was done before the digital age came in. I had no sentimental value, just owned a 3.6 Cabrio, but the engine was too sluggish for me and at the time didn't like full convertibles, so had one done this way with a facelift 4.0 XJS !

I went through a similar process in 1995 where a 1992 4 litre coupe was converted to cabriolet. It was done by Paul Banham Conversions, in Rochester, Kent. No longer about but as Myrtle Productions. Cost about £10k ! It was quite successful and people would be confused whether this was a one off factory job as as the real roof frame was used. I have photos of the finished job. One unfortunate event during the job, was the breaking of the windscreen. A new one was fitted and all seemed well. However, as time went by, footwells always were soaking and the leak source was not found until nearly 10 years later. A very poorly fitted replacement windscreen was found to be the cause. I eventually 'gave' the car away for £2k (having cost me £29k) to Clarkes, an XJS dealer in 2005 ? The structure was strengthened and the car was quite rigid. A full convertible would be more difficult and would never be as good as the factory job. You'd pay a lot of money and be disappointed, as I was. Buy the genuine thing !

Jaguars I have owned since 1972 : Mk. II, 2.4, 1964 Jaguar 420, 1968, XJ Series 1, 4.2,1972, XJ Series 1, 4.2,1972, XJ Series 2, 3.4, 1973, XJ Series 2, 4.2, 1975, S3 Daimler Double 6, 5.3, 1979, E Type, coupe, 5.3, 1972, XJ40, Sovereign, 3.6, 1986, XJ40, Sovereign, 4.0, 1990, XJS-C, 1984, 3.6, XJS, 4.0, 1992, XJV8, Sovereign, 4.0, 1999, XK8 Conv 4.0, 1999, X350, 4.2. Sovereign, 2004, XK8 Conv. 4.2, 2005, XJR, 2007, XKR Conv. 2004, plus other 'run of the mill' cars I won't mention.... but sold my XKR today, so just down to one. First time for many years...

This was not just a problem with the X308, but ALL Jaguars ... even the straight 6 engined. When my 4 litre XJS did that..... removed all the plugs, dry the cylinder out and then pour some 3 in 1 oil. Put back the plugs and then it started every time ! It wasn't that it was flooded, but the petrol left caused the compression to drop and although the engine seemed to turn over... it did not. The 3 in 1 oil returns the compression and all is OK ! The trouble with the X308 was, that the engine was covered up and plug access was difficult.

...Essex....