Are you madabout kit cars      
 "We've Got Kit Cars Covered" Information about Madabout-Kitcars.com Contact Madabout-Kitcars.com         Home of UK kit cars - madabout-kitcars.com Various kit car write ups All the latest kit car news Kit car related and general discussion

Search
Manufacturers
Kit Cars
Kit Car Data sheets
Picture Gallery
SVA Knowledgebase
Clubs & Communities
Build cost estimator
Kit cars for sale
Knowledge Base 
KitcarUSA.com
Classic-Kitcars.com
 

Go Back   Madabout Kitcars Forum > Mad Build Area > General Build Chat

General Build Chat Area for general build chat, questions, tips, tricks and progress

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24th April 2014, 10:51
Car photographer Car photographer is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 545
Car photographer is on a distinguished road
Default Jaguar XJS - how easy to use as kit donor?

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone know how easy a jaguar xjs was to use as a base rolling chassis to build / design a kit car around?
( in the same was that Mev use the Mazda MX5.)

Can the panels be to moved to leave a rolling chassis or are they all integral to the car itself?
I'm basically thinking of trying to design a car and wanted a very easy build - but lined the proportions of the xjs as a starting point (and the idea of a V12)

Thanks

Paul
Reply With Quote
Available from eBay
  #2  
Old 22nd May 2014, 22:12
landmannnn landmannnn is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Coventry and the Limousin
Posts: 549
landmannnn is on a distinguished road
Default

No, they rust to bits.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24th May 2014, 01:54
Car photographer Car photographer is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 545
Car photographer is on a distinguished road
Default

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24th May 2014, 08:49
davecymru's Avatar
davecymru davecymru is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 1,671
davecymru is on a distinguished road
Default

I think the honest answer was posted above.

But... alway being up for a challenge I think that the detailed answer is that it is possible. And has already been done.

E.g. http://www.xk180.com/
I've seen one of these part-built and it was based on exactly the same premise that you are considering. i.e. strip off all unnecessary bits and bolt on a new body.
Admittedly, they also chop their donors in half and shorten them first, but even that is not outside the realms of a VERY careful and properly equipped builder


But don't rule out the other option where you could custom build a space-frame and then simply reuse the Jag suspension and running gear and if you go that option then you'd do well to read up on how the Ronart was developed: http://www.ronartdriversclub.org.uk/...w152mark1.html
And also have a look over at Nostalgia cars for inspiration
http://www.nostalgiacars.co.uk/cars.html

No matter what you do, if you do take the plunge then please make a build thread so that we can all nosy/discuss/steal-ideas

Best of luck!

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27th May 2014, 01:10
Car photographer Car photographer is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 545
Car photographer is on a distinguished road
Default

Thanks Dave, yes it was the fact that ronarts look pretty cool that made me think the jags could be used, but also the dimensions with the long bonnet that I thought would make for a great base for something like an XJ13 shape or something - totally out of my league though - I know nothing about building cars - although I'm pretty good at designing them so maybe if anyone has the skills but needs something designing they could get in touch
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28th May 2014, 11:06
Jeffr4 Jeffr4 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 64
Jeffr4 is on a distinguished road
Default

Also done by Paul Banham in the past :

http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/193792/index.html

maybe usefull

http://www.jagdocs.com/index.php?mai...roducts_id=479
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 28th May 2014, 14:26
Car photographer Car photographer is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 545
Car photographer is on a distinguished road
Default

Cool - but I was thinking more like this! http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C338069
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5th July 2014, 11:28
redratbike's Avatar
redratbike redratbike is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,446
redratbike is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Car photographer View Post
Cool - but I was thinking more like this! http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C338069
rear engined ,transaxle...not a lot of use from the xjs maybe just front suspension and the engine
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 4th July 2014, 16:21
Scottie22 Scottie22 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2,161
Scottie22 is on a distinguished road
Default

There were several XJ13 fibre glass bodies actually made by some bloke down near Exeter some years ago, I know that because the bloke went bust, and I lost my £2500 deposit!

I actually went to the factory and saw the bodies myself.

I think after that some of the bodies ended up around the Birmingham area, and were built up as race cars
If you are serious about the XJ13, it may be worth trying to track down one of the body shells.

Just an idea for you.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6th July 2014, 15:38
Car photographer Car photographer is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 545
Car photographer is on a distinguished road
Default

Scottie - thanks, shame you had to loose money to find out though - hows your Tribute coming along? - I have a spitfire so was looking at that kit for mine but it looks like it's been a long build,

Redratbike - cheers
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 7th July 2014, 19:27
Paul L's Avatar
Paul L Paul L is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wembley, London
Posts: 5,056
Paul L is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Car photographer View Post
... I have a spitfire so was looking at that kit for mine but it looks like it's been a long build...
Car Photographer - Just remember Scottie is not building an A352 kit.

He is using the A352 kit as the basis of his XKSS replica.

If you look at the A352 thread in the Tribute "Useful Info" sticky, you can see Patoune putting a standard kit together in a very short space of time.

Scottie's build is a labour of love and does not represent a standard A352 build.

Good luck, Paul.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 6th July 2014, 16:55
Scottie22 Scottie22 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2,161
Scottie22 is on a distinguished road
Default

The build is coming alongwell, but is 8 months a long build?
Some people take years, sure, I'm not finished yet, but most of it is done really. :-)

Spifire is a good donar I think, I've had lots of them over the years
with few problems, and they're easy to fix when they do go wrong.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 7th July 2014, 20:49
Scottie22 Scottie22 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2,161
Scottie22 is on a distinguished road
Default

Could not have put it better myself Paul! Well done.

It didn't start like that though, I just wanted it to have a windscreen really, then I just got carried away...........

And because I could not afford the XKSS prices of bits, I made everything myself, that's what takes the time.

As I said, its only been 8 or 9 months so far, and most of it is done.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11th July 2014, 09:52
Car photographer Car photographer is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 545
Car photographer is on a distinguished road
Default

Wow!! I can see why it would take longer then - whereabouts are you based? Are you anywhere near the midlands?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11th July 2014, 14:13
Scottie22 Scottie22 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2,161
Scottie22 is on a distinguished road
Default

If its me you are asking, I am based in Hereford.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 12th July 2014, 02:33
Car photographer Car photographer is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 545
Car photographer is on a distinguished road
Default

I sent a PM
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +0. The time now is 09:18.

copyright © madabout-kitcars.com 2000-2024
terms and conditions | privacy policy