Rumble in Coventry: 1976 Jaguar XJC V8

This cool custom Jaguar build features a 1996 Chevy 350 V8 engine on top of numerous cosmetic upgrades.

The XJC was a two-door coupe version of their XJ Series II sedan. Only 9,378 were made between 1975 and 1978. Like a lot of British cars, it looked good but was made poorly. Aesthetically speaking, the Series II translated surprisingly well into a pillar-less coupe. However, when it came to construction, fit, and finish, Jaguar cut corners and made mistakes. They welded on door extensions. The loss of b-pillars flexed the roof, which in turn cracked the paint. Jaguar covered the roof in vinyl, but it looked ugly and trapped rust.

Fortunately, the seller of example has rectified nearly all of the car's original problems and enhanced its strong points tenfold.

Cosmetically, they stripped the paint to the bare metal, vinyl roof and all, and repainted the whole body in glossy black. Inside, they have new grey leather seats from BAS interiors of England. The dash is new and the wood was refinished.

The wheels are from a 1996 XJR and are pitch-perfect. The only change I would have made is swapping clunky U.S.-spec bumpers for slimmer units or ditching them altogether.

Mechanically, the American V8 swap provides a ton more muscle and power. The seller says the engine itself was blueprinted, balanced, rebuilt and upgraded with a small cam and roller rockers.

The seller notes this was not a restoration, but a rebuild, and they say the car originally had no rust. They say it currently runs well and produces a "beautiful sound". It's certainly not a cat anymore...probably more like a lion.

This could really satisfy someone's itch for a sleek and unique classic Jaguar, but without the quality headaches that usually come with them.

Find it here on ebay in California with bidding at $5,600 but reserve not met.