Three Fantastic Years of Touring UK and Europe
When I purchased 'Longun' ( the name comes from my neighbour comparing the long wheel base to a Viking Long Boat, and a Northern accent, long one - longun ) it was October so she went straight to hibernation a hundred miles from Manchester, so we had all winter to plan trips in 2021.
Once all the road salt had disappeared and April arrived she was transported to Stephen Heywood, Jaguar Specialists in Rochdale for an MOT, full service, inspection and all fluids change. Steve's report highlighted a noisy rear shock absorber so both were renewed, and the fact that although the tyres were good, they were thirty years old, so understandably new tyres all round were fitted. Since that time she has returned to Steve each year for her MOT and service, with no advisories, and for any checks and necessary support.
On our very first weekend outing sods law applied. As we were cruising along, for no apparent reason the engine cut out. She restarted immediately and never flinched again. Strange ?
I spoke with Steve and several experts and discovered that the model go to fault items were the fuel pump, the fuel pump relay and the crank position sensor, so without hesitating I ordered a new sensor, along with the uprated mounting known as an 'Andy' bracket, and a new fuel pump relay. The sensor looked ok but I fitted the Andy Bracket along with the new 'Jaguar' part, not an OEM product. However when it came to the relay it was clear that the base terminals AND the female base connections were heavily corroded. The wires were cut back and elongated with a new base and connections fitted to accept the new fuel pump relay. Hey Presto, the problem has never arisen since but to be on the safe side I have since also replaced the fuel pump, again with a jaguar product not a cheaper alternative.
The two additional items I needed to address, to satisfy my need for a reliable and comfortable cruiser for our European trips was the non working Air Conditioning and replace the OEM Japanese Radio which did not accept European transmission frequencies.
I managed to source, via a fellow JEC member, a NOS (New Old Stock) Audio unit which slotted into place to bring the dash back to its original presentation. The Air Conditioning proved a bit more of a challenge but, after many visits to refill the system by Polar Air Mobile Services, by elimination and after every seal had been renewed, the actual rubber piping was diagnosed as being porous needing replacements. These were sourced and we have now enjoyed several trips into a very hot France with the reliable comfort of working Air Con.
To give any prospective purchaser a flavour of how we, and therefore they, may enjoy Longun I have detailed some trips and annual mileages below.
MOT date Mileage Year Total
April 21 12,959 2,473
April 22 15,432 4,151
April 23 19,583 4,534
April 24 24,117
PLEASE NOTE; The mileage reading in the Gallery section is displaying in Kilometres as is the legal requirement in Japan. This cannot be changed by the onboard computer.
In 2021 our first year of ownership we decided to stay in the UK and our first outing was a week long tour of the Yorkshire Dales visiting 'Bangers and Cash' and the 'Aidensfield' garage and village as can be seen in the galleries. Our second week away was spent touring around the Brecon Beacons, perfect, especially when the schools are in. Another trip we enjoyed was the coast to coast trip detailed in Peter Simpsons excellent book 'The Curved Road' from Whitby to St Bees Head in Cumbria.
2022 saw us back in Europe with a long cruise from Rotterdam in Holland to La Tranche sur Mere on the west coast of France and back. We like to take a few days en route and stay in nice Chateaux Hotels, stay in a location for a couple of weeks to explore around and then repeat the Chateaux Hotels on the return journey, in different hotels of course. She never missed a beat, fantastic, although I must admit to liking to cruise just under 70 mph so not pushing her at all. This year also found us on the Northern Ireland Antrim Coast, which is stunning, on our way to tour around Donegal for a week or so. A smooth reliable ride on roads where cars are few and far between, heaven.
2023 main trips included a week long round trip to Cornwall, in truth to buy a new dash for my Daimler 250, but extended to enjoy most of the south west peninsular, again when schools are in. In the September we joined twenty two, I think, fellow JEC members on a two week 'Richard the Lionheart' tour of Western France which was absolutely brilliant. Our first foray into organised and escorted trips which will not be our last. Unfortunately, as you will read under 'why she's for sale' we cannot attend the similar tour this September but certainly look forward to 2025 and even more big trips.
Above I have highlighted some of the many experiences we have had in Longun only to give you an insight into what is on offer for sale. Not just a, nice Jaguar to drive around in, but a lifestyle. At 24,000 miles and the condition of this vehicle, it presents the opportunity to join others in distant locations without the worry of the reliability of a 'Classic' car.
The price is not going to be the average of other XJ40's offered elsewhere as that's not what is on offer. The price I am asking, £9,950 ovno is though, significantly less than the average price of a half decent Mk2, most of which will be Miss 'Money Pitt' requiring high maintenance budgets, having been rebuilt some time ago.
If you are an XJ 40 fan, would like to drive one or collect one, I would suggest investing a little time to inspect this one as I am confidant she will find a great new 'carer' quickly.
Any formal or informal inspection welcome as I am confidant she is as good as I have documented.
Happy to take any contact at your convenience .
Tony Doherty
07831 401 857