Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22778 Location: UK

Ok, next up for consideration and recollection, the "classic" Jaguar XJ in Series 1,2 and 3 form. Who here has owned one, or has memories of riding in one? Have you restored an XJ, or did some experience with one put you off for life??

All memories and thoughts welcomed Smile

Rick
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peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh

I've never owned one but have travelled in a couple, an XJ40 and an XJ12.
On the outside it's a really big car but (for my 6' 1" frame) the inside is ridiculously small. I travelled in the XJ12 just last week and when I got into the front passenger seat I tired to push the seat back but discovered it was already set at its furthest back position. Shocked

In mitigation I must admit that it isn't without some virtues. XJ12 does go quite well and it doesn't notice speed bumps.

My experience of travel in the XJ40 was on a longer journey in the rear seat.
If I hadn't been able to put my feet in the opposite foot well I think it would have been quite an uncorfortable trip. I was also sharing the fuel costs and it cost me just the same as it would have cost me to cover the same journey in my diesel Mondeo without sharing. What's more the Mondeo actually has more leg room (in the front) than I need.

Peter Evil or Very Mad

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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

victor 101 · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 446 Location: East Yorkshire

Had a series 2 XJ6 about fifteen years ago, great car to look at, and nice to drive. a minor accident that turned into a major disaster in the body shop meant it never went back on the road. Would I have another? I wouldnt rule it out.

52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

Had an XJ6 Avon estate. My P&J towards the end of the 80's. Former owner was Lord Alan Sainsbury.

Originally Cotswold Yellow, Sainsburys had it painted a sort of bluish purple which made it look like a hearse. I repainted Primrose which suited the car well IMHO.

Had to be sacrificed to keep my business going (recessions are nothing new!) Love to find out where it is now.

SV8Predator · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:03 pm Post subject:

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4850 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh

SV8Predator · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:45 pm Post subject:

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh

What height are you SV8 Predator?

Peter.
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

Be sad if that's the one Penman. Definately deserved a better fate than that!

Fortunately no sign of the Cotswold Yellow and looks like the blue was applied late. That's the right style though and there were only 25 made.

I saved my personal reg. so when sold it was OUH???X.

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4850 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
It is, or was in July'08 at a garage on the A59 just east of Blubberhouses.
The garage owner did actually mention Sainsburys when I was chatting to him about it.
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52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

Even Google Earth shows it! Probably pics from about the same time.

I'm tempted to do some research but at that rate I may just end up with it back and I think Mrs C would have something to say about that.

Anyway, thanks for your observation!

I will try an find some pics to post to show her in better times.

HMK · Joined: 19 Aug 2009 Posts: 42

I've had several XJ6 Series 1 Jags. If I ever got hold of a Series 2, I would strip it for parts for the Series 1 type.

I actually think that the Series 1 is by far the best looking model of them all, but strangely, it's the Series 2 model that are the most sought after these days.

A couple of years ago, a mate of mine bought a Series 2 that had been stood for about 7 years for £600. He put it back on the road, ran it for a few months then put it on the bay & got 2 grand for it. A while after that it was on the bay again & went for 3 grand - crazy Shocked

They are heavy on fuel - But NOT as heavy as a Humber Super Snipe...15 mpg is better than 12 mpg!!

The most annoying thing about the 6 pot XK engine is that the lower timing chain when worn, snaps the 'long' guide off. If you're lucky, it just drops down onto a ledge where the chain goes down & round the crank. If you're unlucky, it gets mangled where it shouldn't which can be a bit of a disaster. If it drops off out of harms way & you ignore the rattle & keep driving, then the timing chain WILL make a guest appearance through the front alloy casting & into the water jacket. This causes all the coolant to mix with the oil. I have had this happen - folk often tend to WRONGLY blame the head gasket for failure & don't realise it's caused by the rattling timing chain!

I've still got a stack of spares for these cars, but when I'm on holiday next month, the whole lot is going to be cleared out....2.8 Series 1 engine anyone? Been stood for 20 years - buyer collects as it's VERY heavy Laughing

Nic Jarman · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:48 am Post subject:

Some years ago I was coming back from Brum as a passenger in a friends XJ6 when without warning the engine let go. The smoke filled the 3 lanes of the M6. We were recovered by a local garage that took us all the way to Harlow. The recovery was a Land Rover pick up and trailer. My rather large friend had the seat and I was perched in the middle on a metal hump.
Would I have one? They do look good but I think I would like a BMW or maybe a Merc engine in there.
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22778 Location: UK

I bought this Series 1 swb XJ6 on a certain auction website in 2001/2002, and drove down to London to collect. It was a smart and presentable motor, although I remember the headlining being a little suspect, and the automatic choke took some gentle encouragement to make it work properly.

I think I ran it for 18months - 2 years or so, a nice car and I'd have another. Prior to that there was a scruffy Daimler S1 4.2, and an XJ12L S1.

My first memory of the XJ was a friend of dad who, in the early 80s, seem to accumulate a number of dodwy-looking S2 saloons and coupes. In 1988 or thereabouts dad bought a S3 XJ 4.2 (in silver), and later a S3 XJ12 HE, both now long gone.

RJ
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