Practically Classics Forum

So from the sounds of it a Dolomite might well be what to go for or a jag if it comes with a nice blonde. Although I think the jag and blonde combo will be a lot more expensive to run.

The Jag sounds more fun though, unless the Dolomite is a Sprint?

Have to say out of that choice of 3 that the blonde sounds the most fun!

With the Jag, one thing i would do is find out if there is a local, independent Jag specialist with particular knowledge of the XJ40 (if that's the sort of Jag you're going for) as the electrical system in particular can throw several curved balls. Also find out if they offer second hand spares as part of their business. Granted you may pay a little more for that spare but A) if it goes wrong again too soon they are more likely to offer a replacement than the dodgy guy with no teeth in your local scrappy and B) if you get it serviced there then it makes it all a "one stop shop" which is very useful.
If you're in the Southampton area, try http://www.sandcmotors.co.uk/#! - Sean (the "S" in S & C) is an absolute whizz with XJ40s and Jags in general.

Sadly i don't think anywhere similar exists for the Dolomite but i do know John/JPB has a wealth of knowledge on Dolomites and the servicing/repairs on the Dolly are much simpler than on the Jag.

You pays yer money and takes yer choice!

as i recall for the price of 1 blonde i could run half a dozen cars

.............or 3 cars, 2 brunettes and a redhead!

Laird_Scooby wrote:Have to say out of that choice of 3 that the blonde sounds the most fun!

I'll stick to the Landrover

Each to their own but not the sort of blonde i was thinking of! That one should be hung for Crimes against Classics and motoring in general!

i used to have the same wild & free hair

Something that has hardly been mentioned (apart from in diesel form) is the SD1 Rover. This is on ebay and might tick your boxes :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281389405777? ... 1423.l2648

It's a manual V8 converted from a 2.6 auto (same axle ratio i believe) so should give decent economy for it's size. Many moons ago i ran several SD1 V8 autos and regularly achieved 28mpg, even under hard driving. Don't forget the Police used these for many years and there was always room for some lanky criminals in the back, even with a pair of big, strapping constables up front so i doubt your children will have too many problems.
So it needs a bit of TLC but you're looking at 2 years time to put it on the road (from your first post) which gives you more than enough time to go through everything with a fine-toothed comb. Also spotted you're in Sheringham so it's not that far from you either.

Worth a look maybe?

i used to run several ds1 v8s including vitesses & the single problem was as soon as i started the engine i was infected with leadfoot & could only acheive 12 mpg...