Submitted by v12-vdp@shaw.ca on Fri, 06/25/2004 - 13:59

I would like to have an informed opinion regarding the following: Jaguars of the mid 80's and later had a injection applied at the factory in all closed areas. This wax is amber in colour and is often found in overspray (sometimes in considerable amounts) in the engine compartment, around the bonnet hinges, and in the boot, and on the underside of the boot lid.
This is the way the cars left the factory, and each one was obviously different.
My question is this: is the concours entrant supposed to attempt the near impossible and remove this overspray (overspray which is, in fact, a sign of authenticity)? There is no mention of this in the judges' manual but it seems to me that this overspray, or its absence, should be entirely disregarded for judging purposes. In other words, its presence should not indicate a lack of preparation on the part of the entrant.
In other club concours, such factory signs are not only desirable, but necessary for top scores. Comments please?

Gregory Andrachuk
1992 Series III V12 Vanden Plas
1990 Series III V12 Vanden Plas
1966 Mark 2 3.8
2002 X-Type

Submitted by v12-vdp@shaw.ca on Sun, 07/04/2004 - 16:02

Stew: I tried to get a clear photograph, but was unsuccessful. The factory overspray is tan in colour, and can vary from small speckles to large glops, and it can be in the engine compartment (especially on the bonnet hinge area, and in the boot on the underside of the lid, and in the tire area, basically anywhere that the normal Jaguar owner would not see!
It is clear to me that this sort of mark is a *guarantee* of authenticity; a complete absence of this overspray on mid-80's and later cars would, to me as judge, indicate "over-restoration". I would not penalise for its absence (perhaps the wax applier was being particularly careful???), but I most certainly would NOT penalise an entrant if his car showed factory wax overspray. This is *not* a sign of careless preparation (not to mention the fact that it is damned dificult to remove). Thanks to Doug Dwyer for his comments, which are definitely "informed".

Gregory Andrachuk
1992 Series III V12 Vanden Plas
1987 Series III V12 Vanden Plas
1966 Mark 2 3.

Submitted by cleavefamily@c… on Sat, 06/26/2004 - 14:03

Gregory,
"As it left the factory" is the rule, so the presence of this material should not draw a deduction, but its absense should. Could you post a picture so we can educate judges and restorers to this detail?

Stew Cleave
JOCO Chief Judge
'69 E-Type 2+2 and other LBC's

Submitted by dougdwyer@eart… on Fri, 06/25/2004 - 22:14

"informed opinion" probably lets me out of the running but you did also ask for "comments'.....so here goes :-)

Both my Jags have bits of this goo visable in various spots, along with seam sealer and black caulking sealer of some sort as well. The XJS in particular has some sloppily applied "stuff" in the engine bay. All 100% original and proper as far as I concerned. In most concours circles this would be a no-brainer.

The Corvette guys go as far as duplicating the amount of chassis grease allowed to ooze from the ball joints........

Along the same vein poor panel fits are common on Ser III cars. The deck lids are notorious for sitting a bit proud, the left rear door seldom fits as well (at the trailing edge) as the others, marker lamps are often seem slightly akimbo and the distance between rear bumper and tail lamps often varies from side-to-side. I've observed these mis-fits on too many cars for it to be considered coincidence. Most judges are familiar with these things but there have been a couple times when I was nearly docked but the judges recanted.

Cheers to all :-)

Doug Dwyer
JDRC/NWA
1987 XJ6 III
1988 XJS V12 Coupe