RUA Caroholic too? Jaguar/Lancia/MG projects - all to go!

[dave de roxby]

Seriously,

I think I suffer from a very real 'disease' or mental condition - I'm a 'caroholic'!

Over the years, I have acquired literally dozens of classic car projects, all with the best of intentions, which have usually ended up costing me an absolute fortune and caused me all sorts of trouble including financial and marital strife, trouble with the neighbours etc - and all for what??

How many cars can one guy work on, let alone drive, all at once?

Yet, show me a 'bargain' today and something inside me will still 'trigger' and I will be seriously tempted to buy it!

I am trying to 'self-treat' my obvious addiction and, whilst the tale can be quite entertaining and good for a laugh, I genuinely think this should be recognised as a proper medical condition!

What do you reckon? What are your experiences?

Meanwhile, whilst I'm feeling strong minded enough to take some urgent remedial action, I'm having a major clear-out, before I am consumed by my passion!

I'm currently coming up to my retirement (65 already! My God!) and desparate to cut down my current 20+ collection of classic projects to a more workable half dozen! Things have got really out of hand over the last few years and just have to change.

I intend to keep my '67 Daimler 250V8 Manual/Overdrive and 65 Mk1 MGB GT plus my '75 XJ6 4.2C (unless I get offers I can't refuse!) but the rest are up for grabs and need to go. All are projects needing work but I am, at least, well experienced in classic car restoration and don't buy any old rubbish - unless they are just for spares. A selection of what's on offer is as follows:

Jaguar XJ6 S1 1969 4.2 Manual/Overdrive approx 67K miles, 1 principal owner, very solid with good interior but been in storage for last 10/15 years. Engine free but not started it yet. You'd go a long way to find a better basis for a concours project.

Jaguar XJ6 S111 4.2 Auto 33K miles, 1981

Daimler XJ6 S111 4.2 Auto approx 27K miles, 1983

XJS '89 'G' 104K mech good, immac grey leather int, rusty bottom - shame, I think spares only.

XJS '90 'H' Last of the pre face-lifts. Dark blue, cream hide, around 70K miles, will make a car but needs some bodywork plus leaky oil cooler!

Jaguar XJC 4.2 Coupe, white, red leather, very sweet engine, needs major work to floors, good chrome, worth doing if you like welding!

Jaguar XJC 5.3 V12 Coupe, Dark Blue, fortune spent, now has head gasket problem, needs minor tidy,

2 Rubber bumper MGB's '74 & '78 both are reasonably solid projects but not wonderful!

Lancia Beta Spyder, 34K miles

Lancia beta HPE S1 1600 29K miles (may be sold)

Various other motors inc Volvo 940 Estate plus a 10K mile 2.3 turbo engine to transplant, nice little '92 Clio, had very minor bump but supplied with new bonnet and headlamp to fix, shame to scrap!

All got to go but I'm not giving them away! Plan to put them on Ebay in due course but open to offers first.

I'm in Leeds, cars in various spots nearby, I may be able to assist with transport at sensible cost - have a Jeep plus trailer (which needs a litle fixing first!).

Any serious interest, please email me at [e-mail] and I will give honest descriptions.

Meanwhile, be careful! Caroholism might be contagious!

[a8hex]

Is Caroholism related to NAJS? (Need Another Jaguar Syndrome)

Wish I could, would love to add to my fleet. I'd particularly like a XJ but I think I want a Mk1/2 or S Type first. The Mrs however seems to think it should be NaDJS (Need a Different Jaguar Syndrome) she just doesn't understand. Those without the affliction never do.

[lowdrag]

I just don't get this car thing, especially old Jaguars; nothing but trouble and expense

[dave de roxby]

lowdrag said:

I just don't get this car thing, especially old Jaguars; nothing but trouble and expense

Well, in general I might agree. But together with my son (who has also caught the disease and is now exhibiting symptoms worse than mine, poor chap) I have had some very decent Jaguar experiences recently. Particularly a black Daimler XJ40 4.0 litre, lovely car with beautiful interior, bought for just £450.00, contributed about 8500 miles to our motoring pleasure without issue and returned around 30mpg overall. Rather regret selling it on to a guy who I found drooling over it in a car park! My lad currently runs a 1988 3.6 XJS, bought for £600 18 months ago and still going like a train. Also returns 28mpg and has needed little input in the way of spares apart from a windscreen wiper motor and an anti-roll bar link. Whats more, he only pays £125 a year for classic insurance - amazing!

[velocemitch]

You seem to have become immune to Virus ALFA... always looking for another...

Edited by velocemitch on Friday 5th February 13:38

[dave de roxby]

velocemitch said:

You seem to have become immune to Virus ALFA... always looking for another...

Edited by velocemitch on Friday 5th February 13:38

Sorry but Virus ALFA is simply a strain of the disease. I have previously shown symptoms of this, paricularly the Alfetta and GTV variety but, thankfully this seems to have cleared up now. I am just left with some slight Alfasud residue, noticable when I go into my bedroom for some reason. As a fellow sufferer, you have my deepest sympathy. PS Beautiful specimen, but make sure the stopper is airtight!

[Elderly]

dave de roxby said:

............ desparate to cut down my current 20+ collection of classic projects to a more workable half dozen! Things have got really out of hand over the last few years and just have to change.


All got to go but I'm not giving them away! Plan to put them on Ebay in due course but open to offers first.

[i]"What you need is someone to help who knows classic cars well, knows the market, knows how to sell on ebay, is a good photographer, can give good and accurate descriptions, knows a fair bit about business and the law after 50 odd years experience and would be willing to help for a sensible fee.

Now, I wonder where you could find such a chap"[/i]

[dave de roxby]

Hmmm..er...well..err..yeahs.