RE: PH Heroes: Jaguar XJR-S
Discussion
LuS1fer said:
joz8968 said:
urquattro said:
joz8968 said:
A body kit by Paul Banham, his view of what any XJS should be - dont think they made or sold many, enough said.
'When the XJSS was first introduced in 1994, the 19-year-old XJS was looking decidedly long-in-the-tooth and its replacement, the XK8, was still around two years off. Here was a way for existing owners to give their cars a complete makeover, with the aid of Corsa headlamps and Mondeo rear light clusters. Banham initially carried out the conversion work as part of their coachbuilding activities, but in 1996 the XJSS became available in kit form for customers who wanted to undertake the work themselves; today it is only sold that way, providing a useful and cost-effective lifeline for XJS owners whose ageing cars have less-than-pristine bodywork.'
from:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?banhamxjscsf.h...
from:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?banhamxjscsf.h...
Here's my pair of XJR-s, the road one is totally original and unmodified apart from 245/45/16 tyres all round, as I didn't like the look or feel of larger tyres on the rear than on the front.
The race one is running a pre HE 5.3 engine at the moment, hooked up to a Tremec 5 speed box, Harvey Bailey handling kit and AP Racing brakes.
My favourite car.
xjsracer44 said:
Here's my pair of XJR-s, the road one is totally original and unmodified apart from 245/45/16 tyres all round, as I didn't like the look or feel of larger tyres on the rear than on the front.
The race one is running a pre HE 5.3 engine at the moment, hooked up to a Tremec 5 speed box, Harvey Bailey handling kit and AP Racing brakes.
My favourite car.
Lovely stuff.
carinaman said:
'...with the aid of Corsa headlamps and Mondeo rear light clusters...'
from:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?banhamxjscsf.h...
It has to be said: from:
http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?banhamxjscsf.h...
xjsracer44 said:
Here's my pair of XJR-s, the road one is totally original and unmodified apart from 245/45/16 tyres all round, as I didn't like the look or feel of larger tyres on the rear than on the front.
The race one is running a pre HE 5.3 engine at the moment, hooked up to a Tremec 5 speed box, Harvey Bailey handling kit and AP Racing brakes.
My favourite car.
xjsracer44 said:
No I didn't see it, can you resend to my name at hotmail.com?
I was inviting you to a private event at the children's hospice near Bristol on Saturday 9th July. I wondered if you would bring one of your cars?Full details here:
Http://www.caringwithcars.com
Over 340 cars so far with some awesome raffle prizes.
Holy thread resurrection etc. but I thought I'd share a few thoughts on a recent purchase in the family, a 1991 6.0 XJR-S. The car belongs to my father, but very kindly, he has given me access to use it wherever/whenever I wish 
I have done a few hundred miles in it so far, some of those more memorable than others...
A brief history of this car; it was delivered new to the Isle of Man, where it stayed for around 2 years (it was registered in the UK in 1993, hence the K plate that you see below). It then came back to the mainland, and was used very regularly for a few years whilst bearing the registration number '1 KEN'. It then passed into the hands of a private collector who owns somewhere in the region of 30 cars, where despite being serviced once a year, it traveled a grand total of 200 miles in around 10 years.
My father then purchased it at the beginning of this year after many months of umming and arring. The first trip for the car was to the local Jaguar specialist who carried out some recommissioning to get the car fit for the road (new tyres, AC regas, all fluids changed, discs/pads etc). We were pleased to see that in the past someone has had the car properly undersealed, so underneath was absolutely perfect
We want to use the car, so wasted no time in getting some miles under its belt. Sadly, the first trip I took to Goodwood ended prematurely when the coil died
It was then subsequently recovered and a new coil fitted. A few weeks later, I went down to Goodwood again, then guess what? It failed again! This time right on a blind bend off of a busy sliproad on the A3.
I try not to keep reflecting on the bad though (difficult not to in the circumstances!), because the car itself is in fact something quite special.
The engine. Wow. What a thing! It's not blessed with the outright power and torque figures of some modern GT cars, but there is something very captivating about the way it sends you up the road. It never feels really fast, but the relentless charge of the speedo needle beyond 120mph is very enjoyable.
The gearbox is a GM400 3 speed (yes, really!), but thanks to the torque and well spaced ratios for all but really fast acceleration in 1st, you really don't need anymore.
The cabin is very Jaguar. It's hard to believe that a land-yacht can have less space inside it than a MINI, but they've certainly achieved it. The rear seats are truly useless for people, but dead useful for extra bags. I'm 5ft 6, but I have to have the drivers seat all the way back, and I still wish it would go back further still. However, the way it makes you feel is something you have to experience to believe, it's something I can't really describe. I can only say that the only other car that makes me feel the same way is my Range Rover, also of 1991 vintage.
Despite having stiffer suspension over the standard XJ-S, the ride quality is still supreme. If you need proof that we have lost the art of body control and ride quality, then this car serves to confirm it. Combined with the snug cabin, effortless powertrain and excellent high speed stability, it makes for a superb long distance cruiser. Before the first breakdown, whilst cruising at outside lane motorway speeds down to Goodwood, the OBC was showing 23mpg. A big boot too, meaning it's a Grand Tourer in the truest sense of the word.
I hope to get it to some more events this year (if it doesn't through another fit at the side of the road!), as well as getting some more pictures, especially of the cabin. Maybe if I can trust it enough next year, take it down to Monaco for a proper Grand Tour a la Harry Metcalfe a couple of months ago in Octane?
I have done a few hundred miles in it so far, some of those more memorable than others...A brief history of this car; it was delivered new to the Isle of Man, where it stayed for around 2 years (it was registered in the UK in 1993, hence the K plate that you see below). It then came back to the mainland, and was used very regularly for a few years whilst bearing the registration number '1 KEN'. It then passed into the hands of a private collector who owns somewhere in the region of 30 cars, where despite being serviced once a year, it traveled a grand total of 200 miles in around 10 years.
My father then purchased it at the beginning of this year after many months of umming and arring. The first trip for the car was to the local Jaguar specialist who carried out some recommissioning to get the car fit for the road (new tyres, AC regas, all fluids changed, discs/pads etc). We were pleased to see that in the past someone has had the car properly undersealed, so underneath was absolutely perfect
We want to use the car, so wasted no time in getting some miles under its belt. Sadly, the first trip I took to Goodwood ended prematurely when the coil died
It was then subsequently recovered and a new coil fitted. A few weeks later, I went down to Goodwood again, then guess what? It failed again! This time right on a blind bend off of a busy sliproad on the A3.
I try not to keep reflecting on the bad though (difficult not to in the circumstances!), because the car itself is in fact something quite special.
The engine. Wow. What a thing! It's not blessed with the outright power and torque figures of some modern GT cars, but there is something very captivating about the way it sends you up the road. It never feels really fast, but the relentless charge of the speedo needle beyond 120mph is very enjoyable.
The gearbox is a GM400 3 speed (yes, really!), but thanks to the torque and well spaced ratios for all but really fast acceleration in 1st, you really don't need anymore.
The cabin is very Jaguar. It's hard to believe that a land-yacht can have less space inside it than a MINI, but they've certainly achieved it. The rear seats are truly useless for people, but dead useful for extra bags. I'm 5ft 6, but I have to have the drivers seat all the way back, and I still wish it would go back further still. However, the way it makes you feel is something you have to experience to believe, it's something I can't really describe. I can only say that the only other car that makes me feel the same way is my Range Rover, also of 1991 vintage.
Despite having stiffer suspension over the standard XJ-S, the ride quality is still supreme. If you need proof that we have lost the art of body control and ride quality, then this car serves to confirm it. Combined with the snug cabin, effortless powertrain and excellent high speed stability, it makes for a superb long distance cruiser. Before the first breakdown, whilst cruising at outside lane motorway speeds down to Goodwood, the OBC was showing 23mpg. A big boot too, meaning it's a Grand Tourer in the truest sense of the word.
I hope to get it to some more events this year (if it doesn't through another fit at the side of the road!), as well as getting some more pictures, especially of the cabin. Maybe if I can trust it enough next year, take it down to Monaco for a proper Grand Tour a la Harry Metcalfe a couple of months ago in Octane?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff