1993 Daimler Double Six

Suspension refresh started with the tyres.
The 15's were old, and the size isn't available anymore.
So I took the opportunity to get some 20 spoke wheels and fresh tyres.



I had a bunch of rear suspension bushes replaced, and also the rear arms with a much better 2nd hand pair.



The MOT testers keep mentioning rust on rear shocks and springs. My car has self-leveling rear suspension, and it is still working, so I'm leaving it alone for now. But I've got a kit from Jaguar to replace it with conventional shocks, and matching springs waiting in the wings.

Shocks etc have been replaced on the front end too. It has been mainly polybushed, with the exception of the ARB - it is fatter on the V12 and polybushes aren't available.
The suspension arms were replaced with powdercoated ones, for vanity, but mainly because the old ones really didn't want to come apart.
Wish I had the springs powdercoated or replaced, whilst everything was apart - but that got missed by everyone except the MOT tester.

Some of the cosmetics needed attention.
The factory smoked lenses were tatty and I didn't like the look.



They were replaced with the redder version - much better.
The chrome top section of the bumper has also been replaced with a better item.
Getting there.



One of the rear sunblinds was broken. New ones were still available from Jaguar. So despite the fact I'll never use them, I bought one.
The colour didn't match the original - so I bought a 2nd one.



All four mudflaps were tatty - before and after...



There were a few other bits and bobs, such as replacing the wiper arm with the later model, but nothing really of any consequence.

Very nice. I'll confess the XJ40 shape is my least favourite XJ but if you find a car at the right money . . . and it's the V12 . . . and a Daimler to boot, it would be difficult to resist.

Try to get her to pay her way with a bit of wedding work, it'll help finance improvements!

The Carcoon brings me up to date with the story.
I've got some bugs to work out now.
There is an electrical drain, and the storage companies haven't always been on the ball with connecting the trickle charger. So the battery is knackered. I've got a new one order, and will start diagnosing any issues.

The offside tailpipe took a whack during a parking mistake, so that needs some love from the welder and steel stock. V12 exhaust components seem pretty unobtainable - so it'll have to be a home brew repair.
The rear valance got bent at the same time, I've managed to source a replacement panel for that, but I'll get all the bits of paint done at the same time.

I need to take a look at the engine mounts too, as I don't believe it is as smooth as a V12 should be. But I need to 100% on my theory as they are £950 a pair !!

I'm absolutely with you on the Jags of a certain era being money pits and guzzlers, my Mk X did 5-6 to the gallon if I was in a rush. If I had a certain amount of money to spend / invest I'd struggle to decide between a top condition Mk X / 420G or a s1 XJ12 / Daimler Double-Six or a s2 XJ12 / Double-Six Coupé.

You're talking price point, this is high but low mileage and a 'restomod', i.e. improved from original. Even running to upgraded fuel injection. You couldn't build this car for anywhere near the £34K they want for it.
www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1294166

another hand up from the "not really a xj40 fan" camp ... but there is nothing i would change about that , its lovely!

First outing for the new tow vehicle then (which you wont be seeing much of - its not old enough for this forum yet) 



Soon unloaded 



Front bumper off and the rear promptly followed 



Then up on stands and the wheels off to allow access around the arches 



The real work starts in the morning 

I'm sure we can allow an occasional update your new rig Chris. Do we need a daily drive section. Can I be the first to comment on the very appropriate private plate?

I'm trying to keep all the repairs under the chrome trim line - hence some local masking 



Having said that it may be difficult on the nearside front wing has this has micro blisters in the lacquer above the trim line 



Has far as I can tell though the car appears to be on all original factory paint and is completely unmolested 



Masking completed so I made a start on the rust effected areas 



I removed the front arch liners so that I could clean up behind the rear of the arches 



Plenty of loose rust & underseal but the nearside front is pretty sound 



But the offside front isn't 



But its fairly localised 



Scraped both sides back - nearside still ok & treatable 



Offside needs a bit of work 



Cracked on with cleaning the arches up 







The offside front door had a few areas of creeping rust & the door edge had been chipped down most of its length 



Last arch de- rusted 



Then bare metaled the area of damage on the offside sill 



And the rear valance - I also cut the new section of exhaust pipe to length and sleeved it into the tail pipe / back box at the same time 



Used a welded tab system 



In conjunction with a slide hammer - You have to remove & reweld the tab several times over the area of the damage in order to draw it out 



Most of it is out - You wont get all of it back but with a little care / diligence you should achieve decent results 



Same trick with the rear valance 










Ready for skimming & profiling 



Need to remove some of the wiring harness & trim before the welding commences on the front offside toe board 



Didn't take much - I'll cover everything with a fire blanket to prevent any stray sparks damaging anything 



Final job for the day was to make a start on the repair panels ready for tomorrow