XJS - Which one?

[Speedracer329]

Mopar440 said:

What a lovely thread! Isn't it nice when thing work out? With all the usual PH piss-taking and bo||ox that seems to be regarded now as the "norm", here is a thread started by an enthusiast, replied to by enthusiasts, and (hopefully) with a result that will keep both enthusiasts, err.., enthusiastic!

What a breath of fresh air. This is the real PH!

Agreed, in my opinion this is what a car enthusiasts forum is all about, all the stupid name calling & posturing & contrary posting really puts me off certain sections of this site.

[Speedracer329]

LewG said:

That sounds good to me Brook, just let me know when you have a free day and I'll be around. There are a few last niggly little jobs I'd like to sort on it so your timescale sounds super as it means there's no hurry.
Hooli you're too kind! As John quite rightly says you need to find one that's had TLC right the way through its life. The second owner of mine from 1990-99 was the managing director of Rolls Royce diesel engines, he obviously lavished a lot of money on it in his ownership and I doubt it'd be in as good condition today if it wasn't for him.

OK Lew that sounds great. Even though we both agree re timescale I am of the mind that we could take advantage of this fantastic weather & come up this weekend if you don't mind?

[johnxjsc1985]

Speedracer329 said:

Agreed, in my opinion this is what a car enthusiasts forum is all about, all the stupid name calling & posturing & contrary posting really puts me off certain sections of this site.

Spot on some threads are TOXIC and best left alone stick to Cars and Animals and you cannot go wrong.
Let us know how you get on with the viewing.
XJS's are a bit special and can get addicitve although I now have a beautiful low mileage XKR I am still missing my 6.0l and may be drawn back soon.i have had a 3.6 a 4.0 a 5.3 and a 6.0l and I loved them all.
Similar to another thread about an XK120/150 I prefer the Coupe to the Convertible although te Convertible are very popular and command a premium

[M4SER]

Q


I went for one of the pre HE examples because I love their purity and lack of wood in the cabin, the engine feels sharper too. The tricky bit is there's very few good examples around (mine is a one owner, 30,000 and unrestored car), so going for an early HE XJS gives you much more choice and they are still great to cruise around in, hence why many have plenty of miles on them.

I also have a '77 manual XJS, which isn't as tidy as the one in the photos but I've never seen another pre HE RHD manual for sale (or at an event) in years, so finding one is next to impossible. I actually prefer driving the auto anyway but the manual is quite intriguing to have around.

Edited by M4SER on Wednesday 15th April 12:33

[johnxjsc1985]

M4SER said:

Q


I went for one of the pre HE examples because I love their purity and lack of wood in the cabin, the engine feels sharper too. The tricky bit is there's very few good examples around (mine is a one owner, 30,000 and unrestored car), so going for an early HE XJS gives you much more choice and they are still great to cruise around in, hence why many have plenty of miles on them.

I also have a '77 manual XJS, which isn't as tidy as the one in the photos but I've never seen another pre HE RHD manual for sale (or at an event) in years, so finding one is next to impossible. I actually prefer driving the auto anyway but the manual is quite intriguing to have around.

Edited by M4SER on Wednesday 15th April 12:33

Very very nice mate.
i never had the Pre HE car looks like I missed out.
This seems cheaphttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-XJS-5-3-AUTO-1980-BARN-FIND-/261848385649?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cf7614871

Edited by johnxjsc1985 on Wednesday 15th April 13:00

[Speedracer329]

M4SER said:

Q


I went for one of the pre HE examples because I love their purity and lack of wood in the cabin, the engine feels sharper too. The tricky bit is there's very few good examples around (mine is a one owner, 30,000 and unrestored car), so going for an early HE XJS gives you much more choice and they are still great to cruise around in, hence why many have plenty of miles on them.

I also have a '77 manual XJS, which isn't as tidy as the one in the photos but I've never seen another pre HE RHD manual for sale (or at an event) in years, so finding one is next to impossible. I actually prefer driving the auto anyway but the manual is quite intriguing to have around.

Edited by M4SER on Wednesday 15th April 12:33

That looks a lovely example too M4SER, although I have to admit to being a sucker for the traditional wood Jaguar interiors.

John, the car in the link you provided would scare the life out of me at my age!

[a8hex]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Similar to another thread about an XK120/150 I prefer the Coupe to the Convertible although te Convertible are very popular and command a premium

With XK 120/140 & 150 there's a choice of convertible models. The original 120 was a OTS (Open Two Seater) then later in the run they introduced the DHC (Drop Head Coupe). I think for the 140 all three variants were available all the way through the run. For XK150 only the FHC & DHC were available to start with. Later they introduced an OTS variant too. When it comes to values, I'm not so sure with the 120s as there are a lot more OTSs but certainly by the time you get to XK150s there is a significant difference in the value of the FHC and the open cars. Mines a FHC and it would take a lot to persuade the good LadyB8 to allow me to splash out on a DHC or OTS. I'd love to replace my 150 with a 140DHC but they've really shot up in price in the last few years.
Of course what I really need is one of each so I can properly weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the two.

Sorry can't add to much to the discussion on XJSs apart from the fact that the pre-Ford convertible models are no where near as rigid as the Celebration version. I nearly bought one back in period. The early coupes with all the chrome certainly have a charm all of their own. And that you wouldn't be applying the same criteria on choosing an XJS today, where it would be a modern classic, than were applied to choosing a daily driver back in period.

[LewG]

Cfnteabag said:

Sorry to distract away from the point of the thread but you own 2 CVR(T)'s! That is seriously cool!

Thanks! Definitely too many thirsty toys

Yes Brook that would be great, Saturday looks to be nice weather all day? Unfortunately we won't be able to go for a drive as it's not taxed and I've swapped the insurance policy onto my new car, there is a bit of yard space to drive it round though.

[Speedracer329]

LewG said:

Thanks! Definitely too many thirsty toys

Yes Brook that would be great, Saturday looks to be nice weather all day? Unfortunately we won't be able to go for a drive as it's not taxed and I've swapped the insurance policy onto my new car, there is a bit of yard space to drive it round though.

Replied to your mail Lew.

[Jagfanelli]

V12 is a nice car although I think I'd settle for a late 6-pot model.

[0llie]

My father has just purchased an XJR-S (6.0). He is also a Jaguar man, having owned an E-Type S1 Roadster for many years in the past.

I'm very fortunate in that he lets me use it whenever I want, so I've wasted no time in using it as often as I can.

He paid at the top end of your budget, but that bought a super clean, completely original, unrestored and rot free 61k mile car with full Jaguar history, handbooks etc. Only minus point is it had been sat in a large private collection for 10 years and had only covered 100 or so miles in that time, so it required some recommissioning (tyres, fluids, hoses etc.)

Sadly I have not driven any other variant of the XJS to compare this to, but I've been extremely impressed by the way it drives. The engine is wonderful, 333bhp but it's the torque that is so impressive (from memory it's about 350 lb/ft, but that could be wrong). 50-130mph is dispatched with ease, and it feels like it could sit at those speeds all day. The only thing that lets it down is the gearbox, 3 forward speeds is a bit mean but the torque means it never feels as though it's in the wrong gear. OBC reads over 20mpg at 80-90mph which is nice.

The steering is heavier than the standard XJS, and it also runs stiffer springs and dampers, but the ride is still extremely smooth, and I imagine it's very useful for high speed stability.

On the whole I think the engine and transmission are bulletproof, provided they're looked after. I think most things can be dealt with relative ease and lack of expense, apart from rot.

Sadly I don't have many pics of it, the only one I have of it is the auction catalog pic from last year on its old plate;



I'd be happy to answer any other questions

[magicrising]

I'm looking for a late XJS (AJ16 Celebration preferably)) Seen 10 cars so far, and been disappointed with damp carpets, non functioning a/c and just generally un loved examples. I'm beginning to wonder if I can find one. I've had 3 in the past and have been looking for the last 6 weeks for another.

...SO if anyone knows of any privately, enthusiast owned I'd really appreciate the nod. I'm looking for sub 75k miles.

[johnxjsc1985]

magicrising said:

I'm looking for a late XJS (AJ16 Celebration preferably)) Seen 10 cars so far, and been disappointed with damp carpets, non functioning a/c and just generally un loved examples. I'm beginning to wonder if I can find one. I've had 3 in the past and have been looking for the last 6 weeks for another.

...SO if anyone knows of any privately, enthusiast owned I'd really appreciate the nod. I'm looking for sub 75k miles.

I had a Late Celebration model. the drivers Carpet was wet and it was the Stupid Rubber seal running down the window to the scuttle panel and they are no longer available but I did sort it and the leak stopped.

[Speedracer329]

Ok then, time to update this thread with what happened when I went to view Lewis's XJS at the weekend.
First of all I will say that while looking at the different engine/gearbox configurations I decided I wanted a V12, & as the manuals are rare as hell conceded to myself I would be sort of happy with the auto 'box. I have never in all my adult life given a negative though to economy, & I didn't think that would change, but the more I thought about it the more that little sod perched on my shoulder whispered how ruinous it would be, particularly because although I live in Poole I am from Sheffield, & go back fairly often, so a 500 mile round trip was going to cost around £160 in fuel, & that made me wince a bit.
However, I digress. When I arrived at Lewis's the car was sat there, all nice & shiny & looking gorgeous, with Lewis at the side with an expression on his face which said "I am not sure I am doing the right thing here". After a few walk rounds & lots of questions I finally sat in her & started her up, which was on the first turn of the key, a beautiful deep purr & rock steady idle. As I looked around the interior it was clear that the car had been treated very well all through its life, the veneers were food, the seats were great, the headlining brand new, & I knew I would kick myself if I let it get away.
However, Lewis had a pal, also called Lewis, who also had a XJS, this time being a manual 3.6 straight 6, & we had arranged to go to see his car too, & we followed Lewis who took us there in his bright red TVR Chimaera, wow what a lucky guy! Once there he bade us farewell until we would speak later about the prospective purchase.
So, just about the only thing I had decided for sure was I didn't want a red car, & sure enough when the car backed out of the garage from under it's dust sheet it was, of course, red. It also looked fan-bloody-tastic, with a sound track to match.
Once more we took time going over the car, & again it was clear that this car had also led a very pampered life, it was just as immaculate as the other car. I looked at Julie, my partner, & we both said together, "but we don't want a red car, do we?"
After a test drive & plenty more questions Lewis 2 showed us the reams of history that came with the car, but by that time the decision was made, it was the red car for me!
So we made a deal, agreed on a time frame for sorting out a couple of niggles & coming back for it, & that was that.
When I got back I sent Lewis 1 an email (it was late & I didn't want Lewis 1 to hear it from Lewis 2 before I had let him know which car we were going with), explaining that we felt uncomfortable but ultimately we had made our choice. I do not deny that fuel economy played a part in the decision making, but I felt that the manual car would suit my driving style more, but the clincher for me was that despite not wanting a red car, it looked so dramatic & beautiful I bought it because it was red.
I cannot fault the silver/green V12 by the way, if you want one it is a very very good one.

I also would like to add there is quite a big age gap between myself & both Lewis's, but their obvious love of cars, enthusiasm & good manners made it a pleasure to spend some time with them, They are both fine young men.

So I suppose I may as well post a couple of pictures now, done by the present owner of course. We hope to be able to pick her up in around 6/8 weeks, & it will be murder!

[Thin White Duke]

That's a lovely looking motor you've got yourself. I like a red XJS - I think it really suits them.

[johnxjsc1985]

Thin White Duke said:

That's a lovely looking motor you've got yourself. I like a red XJS - I think it really suits them.

Agreed but with a black leather interior I think they look stunning

[a8hex]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Thin White Duke said:

That's a lovely looking motor you've got yourself. I like a red XJS - I think it really suits them.

Agreed but with a black leather interior I think they look stunning

Yepp she looks gorgeous. I can't agree with John though about black leather interiors, cream leather inside a Jaguar is the only way to go, unless it's a Jaguar of a rather earlier age, where red is best.

[johnxjsc1985]

a8hex said:

Yepp she looks gorgeous. I can't agree with John though about black leather interiors, cream leather inside a Jaguar is the only way to go, unless it's a Jaguar of a rather earlier age, where red is best.

I have yet to see a cream leather car with a good interior the cream deteriorates much quicker than the black it shows wear and tear far sooner than the black. i agree about the old Red Leather from the 60's you cant beat it

[Speedracer329]

johnxjsc1985 said:

I have yet to see a cream leather car with a good interior the cream deteriorates much quicker than the black it shows wear and tear far sooner than the black. i agree about the old Red Leather from the 60's you cant beat it

I believe the colour is actually oatmeal not cream, and is in very good condition with very little creasing visible. When I was younger I always went for black interiors myself, but these days much prefer the contrast between red and cream/oatmeal, it stops the cabin from being dreary and dark IMO.
Then again, a light coloured car like white or variations on silver from blues to greens, will look much better with a black interior. Again purely my opinion, it wouldn't do for us all to like the same thing.

[Speedracer329]

johnxjsc1985 said:

I have yet to see a cream leather car with a good interior the cream deteriorates much quicker than the black it shows wear and tear far sooner than the black. i agree about the old Red Leather from the 60's you cant beat it

I have tried to blow the picture up John but this seems to be the best I can do. I hope you can see there are very few creases?