1996 Celebration

A 1996 Celebration 4 litre coupé in for new suspension, Intensive Engine Service, rust repairs and protection, custom low-loss catalysed exhaust system and new wheels.

Status: Complete


Celebration XJS 4 litre having major engine overhaul, rust rpeairs & proofing, new suspension and more	Rear suspension coming off	... and fully out	Bonnet off ready for engine removal


Engine coming out. Sorry about dirty camera lens!	Front suspension out and about to be stripped. Quite a lot of rust....	The AJ16 4 litre engine out and about to undergo a KWE Intensive Engine Service	New rear suspension taking shape


Just some of the suspension parts that are stripped, shotblasted and powder coated. Better than new!	Engine bay washed prior to some welding work. Though it doesn't look too bad, there is quite a lot of work to do.	As can be seen highlighted, there are unusual rust holes in vital places...	New front suspension/brakes/steering, upgraded to KWE spec.


Front suspension back in now-repaired engine bay	Rear chassis legs badly corroded. Welding required!	Rear suspension going back in	.. fully in, mounted to repaired chassis leg


A lot more rust was found in rear section. Here the RH silencer tunnel is being repaired	Car on roll-over jig being masked up prior to stripping and re-undersealing	Underside stripping revealed yet more rust to be repaired	Shot showing custom exhaust system using mini-catalysts (to be seen on the forward, left end of system). This worked extremely well.


Rear end re-undersealed. (Rear valances will be re-painted at a later date)	Front wheel well re-undersealed. Special attention is paid to the damper strengthening mounts - these are notorious for trapping penetrating rust	Underside completed	Repair panel patched in and painted on RH rear valance


Final wax injection into cavities