This car was at the Sherborne Classic Show last Sunday, for sale by the trader. I had a good look at it, not 'cos I am thinking of buying it but just curious.
The car appears very solid in all the important places. Couldn't find any rust to worry about - a few very minor cosmetic bits only. Couldn't really see underneath but the trader told me it was solid underneath & had just passed MOT without any problems. I can't remember the full chassis number but it began ACG 26??? which dates the manufacture from around June/Aug 1977.
Interior appears all original & is in very good condition although carpets a bit faded & vinyl is lifting on the rear shelf. The roof mounted interior light was loose when I saw it. The sunroof looks to be an aftermarket item, not factory, but was in good condition & has a useful looking wind deflector.
Paintwork is good although it has definately had at least a partial respray, you can see the odd bit of overspray on the door rubbers. Inside the engine bay & boot was all solid. The sills & back panel are still black as per factory finish, & I couldn't see any signs of respray in those areas which is good.
It has an electric fan fitted, & a non standard radiator expansion bottle, a rather strange looking round plastic item, not the correct part. Otherwise it appears mechanically standard. 4 speed box.
It has the later alloys. There is no mat in the boot. I saw the V5 which confirmed two POs.
To sum up, it does appear to be a tidy, clean early car, in pretty good solid condition. I would hesitate to say "outstanding" as claimed in the ad, but it is not a bad example at all.At the show it was advertised for £2450, which is way too much IMHO.
Tony
<font size="1">1981 2L FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 3.5L V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red</font id="size1">
