As I’m sure many of you are aware, we just launched our own Classifieds! It didn’t take long to get some interesting submissions, ranging from some affordable muscle cars to a pair of Jaguars. As a matter of fact, the Jaguars look like such a great buy to me that I thought we better feature them! Reader Mcl23aren Jags were already posted on eBay when we launched the classifieds, so he included a link to the auction as well. He’s asking $3k, but the no reserve auction is still at just $1,500. This pair can be found in Dade City, Florida.
I’ve always been a fan of the 420, they are good looking machines with the fantastic 4.2 liter inline six engine (the same one found in the E-Type). They were so popular when they hit the market that they easily outsold all of Jaguars other sedans. Sadly, they didn’t keep the 420 around for very long, but the engine and suspension designs found their way into the XJ6.
Because of the rise in values of E-Types and the difficult of sourcing replacement engines, many of these saloons have given up their beating hearts to keep XKEs on the road. I’m sure if you are an E-Type owner that needs a new engine, it’s an easy decision to make. But sadly for the 420 it has meant that many have been left without engines. I’m not sure if that is what happened with the blue car or not, but it’s currently without an engine. Thankfully, the very rusty white car just happens to have a running engine. So after a transplant, you should have one running and driving car!
Once you get it running, your still going to have to do some rust repair and prevention. The interior actually looks to be in decent shape, which will save you considerable money on parts. For $3k or less, I think this will be a good buy, especially if you live nearby! So what do you think of this pair?
Be sure to take a look at the Classifieds and if you have something that needs to be sold, we would love to see it listed!
How hard would it be to splice in an SBC?
You can source out a 4.2 jaguar six up to 1987. Carb it or use the jag or aftermarket FI setup. They’re great cars with the six and it really is a tough engine. Best chev conversion is to put a 700r4 behind the jag six and ditch the Borg warner. That’s how mine is setup. Fantastic car the handles modern traffic perfectly. I can cruise at 80mph all day with the overdrive unit. Tight for an sbc under that hood.
Greetings All,
Chris, who did you use for the conversion kit, John’s?
Thinking about one for my MKIX.
I’m in Jag heaven…..
Greetings All,
The 420, I believe was the car that Jaguar did not manage to get any NVH/Noise, Vibration, Harshness testing. This caused problems as the factory experienced resonance issues with the unibody.
The unibody sympathetically vibrated in the same frequencies as the engine which had the unfortunate feature of amplifying engine no poise which made it sound like a bearing knock, though it wasn’t.
Jaguat’s fix was to have the main bearing shells ground ovoid at 3 and 9 o’clock to uncouple the engine vibration from the chassis.
The warranty issues were troublesome as the customer appeared with what sounded like a bearing knock and the service department telling them not to worry was less than comforting.
It also didn’t help that Jaguar’s marketing department was pretty unambitious as they also had the 420G in their lineup which was the old MKX and a much bigger and powerful car.
The 420G was not an option but a totally different car.
The 420G was the donor car for the E, as it had the Triples and the highervcomp head, not the 420.
I have no knowledge here, but isn’t the current 4.2L GM straight 6 a viable transplant for some of these older 6-equipped cars? I believe it’s lighter and potentially more powerful. Old Jags, Triumphs, etc. may be candidates?
I believe the 4.2 is a V6.
Greetings All,
CCRVTT, a good Buick V6 would be a better choice. Moves the center of gravity back and from what I remember that GM six is longer than the XK.
Hate to have to move the bodywork or fit a split radiator.
If you want something for a Spit, try one of the old Olds V8’s the sub 300 cube model from the 60’s.
Sexxxy as hell! I have one w/a 4spd. with overdrive and wire wheels.
Stunning!!!