On the grass with a bit of lock. A classic look
With the possible exception of a cheap V12 XJS, conventional wisdom suggests that there are few riskier secondhand Jaguar adventures than an XJ40.
This is the car - so the story goes - that the Jaguar engineering team developed at the same time as the XJ220 supercar. Given the choice between a bread-and-butter executive saloon and a 200mph supercar, you can imagine where the hearts and minds of Browns Lane's finest were focused, even if the XJ220 did end up with an engine from a Metro rally car...
And that wasn't all the XJ40's problems. Despite being launched in 1986, following a gestation period that could trace its roots back to 1972 - even the quintessentially eighties styling was effectively signed off as early as 1980 - early models were fragile and suffered from suspension trouble, steering problems and electrical gremlins.
Has Shed found a future classic here?
Some typical British Leyland in-fighting also blighted the XJ40. For fear of being lumbered with the widely used Rover V8, Jaguar deliberately made the engine bay of the new XJ6 too narrow for a vee layout - preventing anything other than a straight six from being slotted in.
Fortunately, when Ford got its hands on the company in 1989 it immediately began work on getting the flagship V12 into the XJ. That appeared in 1993, after Ford introduced a revised bodyshell featuring 140 new or modified panels. By the end of its model life, the XJ40 had become a rounded, reliable and accomplished model range, but its extended gestation, early reliability gremlins and lack of a flagship model had permanently tarnished its reputation.
Cabin certainly looks clean enough
Of course, that means there are secondhand bargains aplenty - and this lovely-looking K-plate 4.0-litre Sovereign is undoubtedly one of them.
It's a late 1992 car, which means it gets the later Ford-era bodyshell. The 4.0-litre six is a decent unit, too, with 223bhp (cat version) and 285lb ft of torque meaning 60mph can be reached in a thoroughly respectable 7.1sec.
Although later cars are much better than early models, a used XJ6 is not a purchase to make with your eyes closed. Engines are fairly reliable, but timing chain and head gasket problems are far from unknown. The other major thing to watch out for is the dreaded ferrous oxide. XJ40s can rust pretty much anywhere, but pay particular attention to the sills, arches and bootlid corners.
Imagine sitting here on the way to cabinet...
This one's been around the block a bit, with an odo that reads almost 190,000 miles, but it doesn't half look clean. It also makes all the right spec noises with blue leather, an auto 'box and all the electrics you could conceivably want.
Sure, it's a risk, but if you want to get a bit of that post-Arthur Daley Jag chic, or hire a chauffeur while you ride in the back for that John Major ministerial experience (though quite why you'd want to feel like John Major I'm not sure), an old XJ Sov has got to be tempting.
Jaguar 4.0 Sovereign, finished in Solent Blue with blue leather interior. Jaguar service history, electric seats, central locking, electric mirrors, sport gearbox, auto air conditioning, very smooth comfortable ride from a Jaguar model now becoming classic. 12mts MOT.