Inspecting a '65 3.8S... advice?

[JM1NA]

Other than having my head examined, can anyone post some advice on what to check on this '65 3.8S with slushbox that my brother will be checking out for me?
I'm pretty familiar with LBC's, and the rust that goes with them. This car is supposedly a 44k mile survivor on the original body. It was repainted from BRG to OE white early in its life. And supposedly no rust in the floors sills rockers, shock towers,etc. Just one spot right at the bottom of the pass front fender. Is this possible? The owner says it's plain to see why it's rotted there. The splash guards on these cars were non existant and the mud collected right there. Is it possible for this one area to be rotten and nothing else or is it most definitely coming inward from the floor?
The owner seems quite straight up and more than welcome to have the car inspected by a mechanic(my brother is not a mechanic, but MGB enthusiast and will be able to spot rocker, sill, poor bodywork problems on this car pretty quickly, then I can take it to a jag shop to have it thoroughly gone over on a hoist).
The car runs, drives, no timing chain rattles, no smoke, all electrics and lights work, lot's of oil pressure. Interior is all original, no tears in the leather, pass. side seat bottom stitching is coming apart, dash wood is healthy and not delaminating. Has a full length webasto roof.
Has new resleeved front calipers, front suspension rebuild kit, new weather stripping, etc. for the car.
So any advice anyone can offer?
asking price is $5700 US obo.
Thanks

Ron

 

[Exotexs]

44K miles on a 40 year old? that's about 1,100 miles per year. I never believe mileage claims, so let's forget about the mileage part of the equation, it has probably gone over, or the speedo was replaced. Just let the car talk to you, not the speedo, not the seller. The car will tell you the truth. If it has rust, it's over 44k miles and it must have been driven on salted and slushy roads. An early-in-its-life respray means there could be bondo lurking under the OE White paint covering early panel damage. Check it well. These cars are known to rust in the rocker areas from the inside out, checking the 4 Jacking Points is a must in Northern S types. Insert the jack and raise it on every jacking point, observing any flexing or creeking/cracking noises, that should be very obvious. Exhaust system will tell you a lot, if it shows any welding, it has been redone, Jaguar exhausts had no welding in those years, everything was clamped together using "Firegum" exhaust adhesive for adjustability and "removability". Otherwise if you like the old Saloons (Sedans), and this car tells you "take me home", go for it and bite the bullet. If it drives you home, you got your money's worth. If you have to tow it, pass on it, you're just buying someone else's trouble. Check the spare tire compartment for the Tool Kit and all the Jack pieces. Electrically they are very simple cars, chances are it is Positive Ground, no big deal converting to Negative Ground if you prefer it. I've had a lot of fun with mine, a '65 3.8 S with 10:1 compression. Lot of power especially after 80mph, (at 3,300 rpm those XK engines really start showing off their horsepower). From the rear they look like a late 1950's Bentley. They ride and handle better than the original MK-II small Saloon, because the S types have the E type Independent Rear Suspension and the MK-II does not. These are very heavy cars, not light and easy like your Miata, so the G forces can be overwhelming. First thing will be to replace the 17" "School Bus" steering wheel with a 15" Trophy wheel from Moss Motors. Keep that in mind and install 3-point Seatbelts too, the '65 model year has provision in the B post to add shoulder belts. nice, ehhh? I added Series 3 XJ-6 Headrests to the front and rear seats. The Webasto Sunroof, a relic from the past. Lots of wind noise and drag when open, leaks when raining, can be rebuilt but expensively, otherwise a very rare option when these cars were new. Talk about mileage, don't expect any gas economy from the XK engine, they are thirsty and the twin gas tanks carry 8.25 gallons each. I get 225 miles between pit stops driving it at 70-80mph. Good luck.

 

[AlanT]

I have one of the last 3.8S's produced. It is a full-syncro overdrive , original black with black leather CWW and 'blue-neck' A/C. It has earned the nickname 'Cher' over the past twenty years. It is a pleasure to drive and actually gets too much attention when parked in public.
Alan T

 

[zblu]

front end chassis are rust prone