Few cars command the same reverence as a classic Jaguar, and few demand the same level of expertise to restore properly. The legendary XK engine, the complex independent rear suspension, the hand-formed bodywork: these aren’t cars you hand off to a general mechanic and hope for the best.
Smyth Imports has been working on European and British automobiles in Cincinnati for over 90 years. Jaguars have been a core part of our work for decades, from full concours E-Type restorations to sorting out the electrical gremlins on an XJ6 so its owner can actually enjoy driving it. We understand the engineering philosophy behind these cars and the specific maintenance and restoration demands that come with it.
We serve Jaguar owners across Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana from our Cincinnati shop, and our work has been featured at the Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance at Ault Park and at regional shows across the Midwest.
The E-Type is one of the most beautiful cars ever built, and restoring one properly is one of the most rewarding projects in the hobby. It’s also one of the most demanding. We’ve restored Series 1, Series 1.5, Series 2, and Series 3 E-Types in both roadster and coupe (FHC) form.
The XK engine is one of the most significant British engines ever produced, but after 50+ years these dual overhead cam sixes need comprehensive attention. We do full rebuilds including reboring with new pistons and rings (or re-sleeving for blocks that have been overbored multiple times), crankshaft regrinding and balancing, con rod reconditioning, timing chain and tensioner replacement, and cylinder head overhauls with new valve seats, guides, and springs.
The E-Type head is where most of the complexity lives. Valve tappet followers can loosen in the head over time, causing a distinctive “sewing machine” ticking noise. If ignored, loose followers cause serious internal damage. We inspect and install stakedown kits as needed. We also address warped heads (common from overheating), corroded water jackets (a major issue on Midwest cars that sat with old coolant), and worn bucket guides.
The XK engine is extremely sensitive to cooling system condition. The cylinder liners on 3.8L and 4.2L engines have water cooling grooves behind them that silt up with corrosion over the decades. If those passages are blocked, the engine overheats and the block can crack. We remove the liners, clean all cooling passages, and re-sleeve as needed. This is non-negotiable work on any serious E-Type engine rebuild.
The XK engine runs on SU or Stromberg carbs depending on the model year and market. Proper tuning requires dashpot oil, needle and jet inspection, float height adjustment, throttle spindle wear checks, and precise balancing between all three carburetors. Poor carb setup causes lean or rich running, unstable idle, and hesitation.
Early E-Types used the Moss 4-speed (known for whining in first and reverse, which is normal) while later cars got Jaguar’s all-synchromesh unit. We rebuild both, including synchro replacement, selector shaft seal renewal, and overdrive service.
The E-Type monocoque is a complex structure with multiple bonnet sections, a tubular front subframe, and thin-gauge steel that rusts in the sills, floors, bonnet frame, and wheel arches. Proper metalwork on an E-Type requires understanding how the panels stress and fit together. We do structural metalwork, panel fabrication, and complete body-off restoration including media blasting, rust treatment, primer, and paint.
The XJ series is one of the finest riding sedans ever built, and the inline-six versions are more practical to maintain than most people assume. We work on Series 1, 2, and 3 XJ6 models and the V12-equipped XJ12/Sovereign.
The 4.2L XK six in the XJ6 shares its architecture with the E-Type engine, so all the same rebuild expertise applies. The V12 is a magnificent engine but has higher cooling demands and more complex ignition systems. Both engines are robust if maintained; most failures come from neglected cooling systems, old timing chains, and deteriorated ignition components.
Later XJ6 models use Lucas/Bosch electronic fuel injection, which can be temperamental but is almost always fixable with systematic diagnosis. Many owners blame the injection when the real issue is ignition, vacuum leaks, or poor grounds.
The XJ rusts in all the usual British car places: sills, floors, lower wings, and around the rear subframe mounts. We repair structurally and properly coat hidden surfaces.
including new bushings throughout (front end bushes should be replaced every 60,000 miles at minimum), shock absorber replacement, and steering rack overhaul.
The XJ6 is sensitive to poor ground connections, which cause slow cranking, tachometer flickering, intermittent ignition cutout, and generally mysterious electrical behavior. We trace and repair earth connections and rewire as needed.
The XJS has gone from unloved grand tourer to genuinely collectible classic, especially the V12 models. Values have risen sharply, making proper restoration worthwhile.
The 5.3L (and later 6.0L) V12 needs religious cooling system maintenance: radiator flushing every two years, thermostat checks, and fan operation verification. Overheating on the V12 gets expensive fast. The later 3.6L and 4.0L AJ6 sixes are more affordable to maintain and still quick.
on both engine types. A rattle at idle is the telltale sign of a worn chain. We replace chains, guides, and tensioners using quality OEM-spec components (aftermarket guides and tensioners have a poor reputation in this application).
Most V12 XJS models came with three-speed automatics (four-speed from 1992). The six-cylinder cars were available with a five-speed manual until 1987. All are strong units but need proper fluid service and mount inspection.
Pre-1991 XJS bodies are not galvanized and rust in the wheel arches, sills, doors, and floors. Post-1991 cars are galvanized but still need inspection, particularly around the windscreen frame and rear quarter panels.
The XK sports cars are where the Jaguar legend began. These are increasingly valuable collector cars, and we handle them with appropriate reverence. Full frame-off restorations including body tub rebuild, XK engine reconditioning, ash frame repair or reconstruction, and correct plating and trim work.
The Jaguar XK engine powered nearly every significant Jaguar from 1948 through the early 1990s. It’s a dual overhead cam, seven-bearing inline-six that was decades ahead of its time when introduced. But it demands specific knowledge to rebuild correctly.
Key things we watch for:
This is the kind of deep, model-specific knowledge that comes from decades of working on these engines, not from reading a shop manual the night before.
Is the Jaguar V12 worth restoring? Yes, if the car justifies the investment. The V12 is an extraordinary engine, but it costs more to rebuild and maintain than the six-cylinder. We always recommend a compression test as the first step in evaluating any V12 Jaguar: one or two weak cylinders can be hard to detect on a test drive but mean thousands in engine work.
Can you source Jaguar parts? Yes. The Jaguar classic parts supply chain is well-established, especially for E-Types and XJ6 models. We source from major Jaguar specialists and can obtain OEM-spec, NOS, and quality reproduction components. XK sports car parts can require longer lead times for specific items. We always recommend genuine or proven quality parts over cheap aftermarket alternatives; the cost difference is small compared to the labor of doing a job twice.
My Jaguar has electrical problems. Can you help without a full restoration? Absolutely. We do targeted electrical diagnosis and repair as a standalone service. Many Jaguar electrical issues come down to corroded ground connections, deteriorated wiring insulation, or failed components rather than fundamental design problems. A systematic approach usually resolves things quickly.
We serve Jaguar owners across the greater Cincinnati region and beyond:
For Jaguar owners outside driving distance, we offer enclosed transport services. We regularly receive cars from across the Midwest and Southeast.
Whether you’re planning a full E-Type restoration, need your XJ6 sorted for reliable driving, or want an expert pre-purchase inspection before buying a classic Jaguar, we’re here to help.
Call us at (513) 793-0434 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Smyth Imports has been Cincinnati’s trusted European and British car specialist since 1932. In addition to Jaguar restoration, we service and restore MG, Triumph, Austin Healey, and other classic British and European marques. View all our services →
8773 Remington Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45242
By Appointment Only
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11 am – 4 pm
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