Finding a vintage Jaguar that doesn’t already have numerous mechanical faults due to finicky wiring and British engineering can be a chore. Fortunately, someone has already converted a classy 1959 Jaguar Mark IX to a much more reliable powerplant, as you can see with this mildly rodded example. As a go-to wedding car for some livery services, this could offer a bride and groom the speed and reliability they deserve. Find it here on craigslist for $9,750.
The Chevy 350 was sourced from a 1986 Corvette. The seller says it runs and shifts well, but then also alludes to a further $10,000 in repairs needed to “fix the wiring, new interior, fix the rust and new paint.” The cosmetic fixes I expected, but the wiring repairs sounds a bit ominous. More details are needed, but if it still runs and drives, it can’t be a complete mess. The rust is a bit less obvious when looking at the photos, but I’m sure like anything old and British, rust can hide anywhere.
No word on the true mileage of the engine and transmission, but there are definitely some miles on the interior. I don’t think that’s what it left the factory with! Looking more suited for a three-window hot rod than a classy Jaguar saloon, this interior has got to go. If it were mine, I’d want the car to appear as OEM correct as possible, making it even more satisfying to catch unsuspecting Mustang drivers. In the photos, the woodgrain dash survives but much of the trim has been hacked up.
I believe you can just barely make out trace elements of bondo and other areas of haphazard paint work, so my guess is the body will be the biggest source of pain. That is, unless the wiring was poorly sorted, in which case you get double the fun of figuring out where the original Jaguar wiring ends and the modified Chevy harness begins. In my opinion, the price needs to drop a bit for this to worth taking on, no matter how rare a Mark IX is – but perhaps the potential is there to make it all back as the local wedding driver of choice.
Seller says parts on car “are worth more than $16,000 parted out .” So why doesn’t he just part it out? Can’t see anybody in his/her right mind giving him his asking price for this.
Every last bit of electrical must be removed, run over with a steamroller, set on fire and buried. To begin with anyway. The interior looks like a boat.
Can ypu say money pit….
For that car, I couldn’t possibly think of a worse choice of wheels. Yuck!
86 Corvette had TPI and center bolt heads, so maybe just the short block was used?
Technically, if the engine was from a convertible or a late coupe, that would be correct as they had aluminum heads with center valve cover bolts. Early 86 coupes had cast iron heads with perimeter valve cover bolts so it’s possible it’s still an early 86 Corvette Coupe engine converted to a carb setup.
I was going to comment on that also. Can it still be considered a Corvette motor if it only contains the block? Seems that it’s otherwise a generic SBC of approximately 350 in³ with a variety of aftermarket parts added, power output unknown but likely somewhere between 125 and 400 hp.
I’d have just said “SBC Powered” and left it at that. The motor’s heritage is irrelevant if incomplete.
The Vette engine would have 4 bolt mains in it and possible a hotter cam shaft, forged crank and connecting rods and possible bigger valves in the heads.
Destroyed an otherwise classy car…….
Run, don’t walk away from this abomination!
Seller writes: “this car turns heads”. Not sure if it means turning heads towards it or away in disgust.
More likely, turns stomachs…
Like Linda Blair in the Exorcist!
Beyond redemption.
As an old song says,”One man’s meat, is another man’s poison” to each his own. But definitely got a lot of work ahead of the next owner! wow…not sure bout this?
Big Al…The wiring will do a fine job of catching itself on fire. This car should be held up as an example of how to butcher a classic car….So that others who follow shall not repeat the mistakes made here. If your children are sleeping, wake them up, slap them and give them hot coffee…Make them study every horrid detail.
The writer must have NEVER owned or worked on a Jag, The mechanicals are essentially the same that successfully has and continually is winning roadracing, As opposed to most american engines where a racing engine will have many if not 99% aftermarket parts down to the block and crank!
Wiring back then was as simple as possible. I have enjoyed having a Mk-I, a Mk-VIII, a XK-120, No exotic tools were required for any form of maintainance, they came with a tool kit that enabled the owner to remove the DOHC head, remove any carbon buildup from the fuel available in the UK at that time and then replace it AND easily time the camshafts. I’ve spent my life owning, maintaining, driving and racing British cars because I found they were easier to maintain, more durable and of course much more capable of being driven in a sporting manner.
“I’d want the car to appear as OEM correct as possible, making it even more satisfying to catch unsuspecting Mustang drivers.”
I Doubt you will be catching very many mustangs in that boat.
I think the biggest issue to address is what’s up with the wiring? Looks can always be changed or parted out, if you have a shop. but who did what to existing electrical and where were wires routed and such. Seen a lot of nice outside finished views but when looking just below the skin of the car, make you shudder-and wonder why or how did they do that???? Lots to correct or??
Horrible, uneconomical to bring back. The end. Shame.
“Fortunately, someone has already converted a classy 1959 Jaguar Mark IX to a much more reliable powerplant” – come on Barn-finds…isn’t this supposed to be a site for classic car enthusiasts? A Jaguar Mk IX with the XK engine is a desirable car. A Jaguar Mk IX with a poorly fitted SBC is an embarrassing piece of trash.
Yes, the XK engine would be 50+ years old, and yes it would cost more to rebuild that finding a used SBC…..but the XK engine is part of the appeal of the car. An engine that won le Mans three times in the row and powered some of the most iconic and desirable sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s, the XK series and the E-type. I reckon an Mk IX in this kind of rough and bodged condition without the original engine is pretty much worthless, other than as parts car.
Is the box the shifter’s sitting on made of particle board and drywall screws??? So he’s a poor carpenter…wonder what that says for his mechanical knowledge:)
I was all in until I saw the air filter top was on backwards… I’m out!
I guess everyone has the right to do anything they want if it’s their stuff but, I’m not sure it’s always the best idea.
@jw454.
Agreed. it’s a free country, the owner can do what they want with their own property. true enough. It’s just kind of amazing that when they were doing this, they sincerely believed they were creating something really cool ?
…and, they might be impressed by their own handiwork but I reckon they are smoking crack if they think that the buying public will necessarily agree with them…
ACTUALLY It’s a matter of price, if I could buy it for a couple of thou AND I wanted a big Jag, and didn’t have the bux for a decent one, that would work, Jag mechanicals are not expensive, buy an XJ-6 for little and transplant, The upholstery seems sound and good dyes will make it more to one’s desires. Bodywork is labour intensive but costs little if you know how or are smart enough to learn.
BTW a NICE Mk-VII, VIII or IX is about $15-25,000.
Should you do your shopping, you can find a nice factory correct MK IX in the mid $20 K range. Most cars with a SBC in them, even when new, from the manufacturer, could not match the workmanship of the tool kit on a MK IX Jaguar. Talk to me.
It’s not a Jaguar with a Chevy engine! It’s a Chevy with a Jaguar body!
The wheels are nice, but not on that car!
Bah.
Someone spent a couple of grand on the wrong wheels for the car.
C’mon guys,,, I get the purist approach and turned up noses seeing something like this,, I used to do restorations. But we dont know the history. could be this made total sense at the time and place this was put together. Could be it was an empty shell and somebody made a driver out of it. So lets not be TOO judgemental. Of curse Buggery COULD have been committed as well, who knows?
But,,, Ill just leave you with this after owning MANY British motorcycles and cars..
“A Gentleman does NOT motor about after dark!” Joseph A Lucas. (The prince of darkness)
Sacrilege in my Book! Lose the Smooth 6-Cylinder XK engine & an essential part of the whole experience is lost!
—only to those that have experienced these cars, it’s THE car tho–any modern engine is quiet, efficient etc. Some-like me like the engineering of the Jag and that the distributor has a small vernier that allows me to change the timing to suit the petrol (gas) and other adjustments on the SU carbs to optimalise the mixture in all cylinders, many think that the Jag’s rap is wonderful etc. but it’s all a matter of taste.
There are so many cheap, donor, running XJ6s available that would provide a motor or transmission. How is a Chevy V8 easier than swapping in the proper powerplant? I bought an original ’51 Mark VII last June, that has been sitting for quite a while, but it was from the original owner’s family, as an estate sale. The sellers were three brothers who had grown up riding in and learning to drive in that car. It was the family car used for commuting and vacations. It was a daily driver up into the 1990’s. It has bucket seats with a four speed Moss gearbox. The car is worn but complete, and the motor turns over and the sellers told me that the engine had been rebuilt at least once. It is a fantastic car and looking under the hood and seeing that magnificent XK alloy cylinder head and dual carbs is an amazing treat. I’ll never be able to afford an XK 120 but this is my opportunity to experience the magnificence of Jaguar’s glory days of the 1950s.