I have two cars that I would like to show but don't know what class to shoot for. The 88 Hess & Eisenhardt has less than 1M original miles. The problem is it was dealer equiped with a wood steering wheel and wire wheels. I have the original wheels but not the steering wheel. Is there a class that this car can be shown in that does not force me to change the steering wheel and wire wheels? The car is perfect.

The 89 has 4500 miles and is all original except the wheels have been chromed. I suspect this was done by the dealer but I don't know if this will hurt the car. Again, I don't know what class to show the car.

Both cars have only been driven to one show. Geoffrey Green was at the show and he thoroughly looked them over. He took numerous photos of both cars, especially the Hess & Eisenhardt.

I'm looking for some advice as to what direction to take with the vehicles.

Tim Shapiro
Marietta, GA
1988 XJS Hess & Eisenhardt
1989 XJS Convertible
1991 XJ6 VDP

Submitted by comist@bellsouth.net on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 15:24

Thanks for the advice. Any suggestions on finding the proper steering wheel? Not a real problem buying another set of tires but do they need to be the spec tires listed in the concours rules.

If I do these two things I can't imagine another H&E that would be more original. I had the car serviced by my mechanic when I purchased it. It had been started over the years but had been on blocks in a storage garage. The 89 was also from the same individual, who only drove it only a limited amount of time. These were two of six cars that he purchased and decided to store. Needless to say he is a bit eccentric.

Tim Shapiro
Marietta, GA
1988 XJS Hess & Eisenhardt
1989 XJS Convertible
1991 XJ6 VDP

Submitted by dougdwyer1@com… on Wed, 08/22/2007 - 21:16

I'd find mint condition original items and swap 'em over for show use. Doesn't take 10 minutes to change the steering wheel and maybe 30 minutes to swap wheels. No big deal, really. I've done so many times.

If you are planning on several shows with little driving in between swap the correct stuff over for the entire season and then back to your non-authentic stuff for the rest of the year.

Deductions for incorrect road wheels and steering wheel are so large there's little point in competing with them installed.

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR