Edited on 2007-11-13 14:10:22

Hello all, I will do a quick run down first. I am the current (3rd) owner of a 1976 XJ-S. It has only 33,736 miles on it, fuel injected V-12 black on black. I found this beauty sleeping in a barn collecting dust and mice. I am able to do the wiring myself and not to worried about that right now. I am however worried about the rims. They are true spoke rims that came on the car in 76 and I can not find a book/forum on how to tune them any suggestions? Yes, I have checked with the tire shops around here and no body will touch them. I would like to keep the car looking as original possible there fore I do not want to balance the wheels with weights. Also any suggestions on where to buy various parts for the car would be greatly appreciated.

Submitted by marionandjohn@… on Wed, 11/14/2007 - 08:19

Thanks everyone. Yes it is correct they are not "original" which I had found out after I made the post. However I might as well go for the modified category any ways for the fact that the car has a sunroof that was installed in 1985 (I dont think I will be taking that out) unless it is just a replacement? This car will not be a daily driver by anymeans I'm enlisted in the USAF and Uncle Sam does not pay me that much. As far as entering the slalom next year I would love to try but I am in clovis, NM (excatly wheres that) the closest club is in dallas (8 hours) I plan on trying to move farther east next summer so hopfully I can get in one out that way. Again thanks for all yalls help.

You should not be so willing to die for your country, however you should ALWAYS give the enemy the opertunity to die for theirs.

Submitted by silver007@shaw.ca on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 23:10

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT "Silver"
Pacific Jaguar.ca

Hey I see the picture , looks good from my chair up in Canada. Doug I believe is correct these cars were not produced with wire wheels. They do look pretty good though......
Re tuning the rims we used to tap each spoke with the samw force blow and they should all ring the same tone, a dull one usually indicates looseness of that spoke. Wheel weight are normally applied to the spoke nipple ( slid over and then crimped on ) . If the car does not have wheel shaking tendencies at either 30 mph or around 60 mph the rims are probably ok for balance. This car should be pretty quick as the earlier car had a lower ratio rear end, hard on gas around town however..... Get in the JCNA Slalom events next year, too late now......for 2007...
Looks Great, Art

Submitted by dougi@shaw.ca on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 22:32

Hi John,

This is a great find, there are very few of the pre-HE models left, and those are mostly in sad shape. You'll find there is much to do in recommissioning it, as storage is very hard on some components.

One thing - the wire wheels are definitely not "original". None of these cars came out of the factory with wire wheels, in fact for safety reasons Jaguar warned against using them. Wire wheels made today by the likes of Dayton are well able to bear such a heavy car, those from the 1970s were considered doubtful. This car either had the wire wheels put on by a dealer (possibly even before the original sale) or by a previous owner.

Hendrix Wire Wheel in Greensboro NC are well regarded. You don't say where you are located, but you are very unlikely to find anyone local who knows what they are doing.

Good luck,

Doug Ingram

Submitted by dwcurtiss@virt… on Tue, 11/13/2007 - 18:08

Hi John,

Congrats on a rare find! Your XJ-S looks to be in great shape!
You didn't mention the brand of wire wheels or how they are attached.

You might try contacting Dayton Wire Wheels (888-559-2880)or vist them on-line via the link below.

Concerning parts - your local Jag club is a great place to start by asking club members for their recommendations. Just click on the "Club List" link on this web site to find a club in your area.

Also in the jcna.com site are references to Kirby Palm's excellent and extensive "XJS Help.pdf" document. Welsh also has a PDF that lists parts for the XJ-S.

Good Luck!

Dwight

2006 XJR Platinum Silver
1990 XJ-S Classic Collection
Convertible; Brooklands Green