The XJS Is Better Looking Then The E-Type (IMHO))
Discussion
I know, I know, I must be insane, but I've just always preferred the XJS to the E-Type. I think it looks more muscular, more purposeful and more robust. Oh, and more mean and menacing.
Perhaps the argument can be said that the Series 1 E-Type was better looking, and to that it may hold some wedge, but I saw a convertible series 3 earlier of an E Type on 'Top Tog Cars' and seriously felt that the E Type just didn't look 'THAT' good.
Whereas in my opinion the XJS does. I also feel that knockers of the XJS who hated the car because it was 'the replacement for the E Type' hate it for the reasons I love it perhaps??? It was alot more American than the E Type, and maybe that's why I like it so much?
Engine wise not alot of point in splitting hairs (Or heirs) as both were kicking around with that monster V12, so both could handle themselves properly.
I think especially the later model XJS's are starting to turn into gorgeous classics. Gone were the Honda Prelude rear lights and the weird plastic black spats on the rear windows.
After Xmas I'm on the hunt for a 1992 XJS in bright red, love them to bits. Not really too bothered about engines, as the 3.6, 4 Litre and V12 are ALL more than capable. Owned a 3.6 1991 pre facelift a while back with TWR kit, but wife made me sell it.
I do love the old hard top Series 1 E Type mind, but just prefer the XJS facelift!
Some say I must be mad.
Perhaps the argument can be said that the Series 1 E-Type was better looking, and to that it may hold some wedge, but I saw a convertible series 3 earlier of an E Type on 'Top Tog Cars' and seriously felt that the E Type just didn't look 'THAT' good.
Whereas in my opinion the XJS does. I also feel that knockers of the XJS who hated the car because it was 'the replacement for the E Type' hate it for the reasons I love it perhaps??? It was alot more American than the E Type, and maybe that's why I like it so much?
Engine wise not alot of point in splitting hairs (Or heirs) as both were kicking around with that monster V12, so both could handle themselves properly.
I think especially the later model XJS's are starting to turn into gorgeous classics. Gone were the Honda Prelude rear lights and the weird plastic black spats on the rear windows.
After Xmas I'm on the hunt for a 1992 XJS in bright red, love them to bits. Not really too bothered about engines, as the 3.6, 4 Litre and V12 are ALL more than capable. Owned a 3.6 1991 pre facelift a while back with TWR kit, but wife made me sell it.
I do love the old hard top Series 1 E Type mind, but just prefer the XJS facelift!
Some say I must be mad.
No question in my mind early E Types are stunning before the 2+2 and associated windscreen angle change, when it all went a bit wrong. I had a couple of XJS straight sixes and I loved them, but really beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I don't think you will find much support in the motoring public at large for it being a great looker in the same way as the E Type, although it's still a 100% bona fide classic. The second one I had was a late Celebration coupe which gripped and handled far better than you might expect, but the ride wasn't the best. By then it was a very nice car though, inside and out. Once I sold it I realised it was a mistake and I should have kept it another year or two.
You get my vote......cant stand 'Heap' Types, cant see what is so good about them and I have driven a few. I get the iconic thing.....and how revolutionary they were when they first came out...... still horrible to drive
I have had a few XJSs too, I prefer the facelift, picking one up this week. Should be good for giggles in this weather!
I have had a few XJSs too, I prefer the facelift, picking one up this week. Should be good for giggles in this weather!
XKRacer said:
I have had a few XJSs too, I prefer the facelift, picking one up this week.
Should be good for giggles in this weather!
Tom has lent me a XJS when he was doing a few jobs on the XKRShould be good for giggles in this weather!
The XJS didn't feel so shure footed, maybe the tyres
Felt the car would catch me up half way round the bend
I’ve owed the V12 Cabriolet and a Face lift 4ltr tin top manual. I currently own a V12 soft top mated to a manual gearbox.
Without doubt the face lift is the nicer looking animal (to my eyes) the Cab auto was a good compromise of stiffness of chassis and open top motoring, but getting the top up and down is fiddly particularly if you do short trips or you’re not sure about the weather (this is England after all). Although as an everyday GT car the face lift 4ltr manual pushed all the right buttons and is a cracking car. And they all look good standing still or at speed.
The full V12 soft top with a manual gearbox is a great car and I love it to bits. And what’s even better is you don’t have to drive it fast to enjoy it.
None of these cars corner like a Lotus as you would expect but equally none of them are bad and offer an involving driving experience. I was once driven in the soft top V12 by someone who races XJS’s and be aware if you know how to drive this animal it will not embarrass you. Although in my mind that’s not the idea.
Is it better looking than an E Type? Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally speaking cars are like women. If they all looked the same I’d probably not be interested, however, the XJS is not perfect from every angle but it’s just that which makes me love’em.
Mike
Without doubt the face lift is the nicer looking animal (to my eyes) the Cab auto was a good compromise of stiffness of chassis and open top motoring, but getting the top up and down is fiddly particularly if you do short trips or you’re not sure about the weather (this is England after all). Although as an everyday GT car the face lift 4ltr manual pushed all the right buttons and is a cracking car. And they all look good standing still or at speed.
The full V12 soft top with a manual gearbox is a great car and I love it to bits. And what’s even better is you don’t have to drive it fast to enjoy it.
None of these cars corner like a Lotus as you would expect but equally none of them are bad and offer an involving driving experience. I was once driven in the soft top V12 by someone who races XJS’s and be aware if you know how to drive this animal it will not embarrass you. Although in my mind that’s not the idea.
Is it better looking than an E Type? Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally speaking cars are like women. If they all looked the same I’d probably not be interested, however, the XJS is not perfect from every angle but it’s just that which makes me love’em.
Mike
Following on from my last post
My Father had two E Types, an early one and a V12, they didn't do anything for me, although I Loved the D-Type
Same with the XJS, althouth I have been thankfull for the lone of one over the last few weeks
Now my XKR is my baby, infact it may well get more of my attention than I give to Victoria.
My Father had two E Types, an early one and a V12, they didn't do anything for me, although I Loved the D-Type
Same with the XJS, althouth I have been thankfull for the lone of one over the last few weeks
Now my XKR is my baby, infact it may well get more of my attention than I give to Victoria.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that made me laugh
Me, I prefer the OTS to the FHC which I know is not the usual way people see it.
I'm still sorry I didn't buy one of the run out XJS' I always liked the XJS, but I always loved the the E-Type too (but they're not as good as an XK150
)I love the E Type, may favourite being the Series 3 Roadster. It was my pin-up car of the 70's along with the Dino.
When I eventually was able to buy one my world collapsed, I drove from Manchester to Bournemouth to view a lovely specimen cash in hand. it was just so pretty, it checked all the boxes but drove like a lemon. A wafty barge that needed spanking before it picked up its lazy arse, and cornered like a derailed shunter.
I put it down to a one-off and after trying a few others I was devastated, my dream car was not at all what I expected it to be. Yes I do still think they are gorgeous but am I ready for one? No, not yet, maybe in another 10 years or so when I'm a mid 50ish and post male menopausal.
I think I'd spoiled it for myself in that I already had an XJS convertible, and to change to the E type was counter productive in that I enjoyed to robust feel of the S.
I'm now enjoying my second XJS convertible, and have opted for the later XJRS shocks which stiffen up the ride...not too much, but just enough to stop the body roll without losing any of that amazing 'magic carpet' ride you get with the S.
Long distance hoonage to France and back is a sheer delight, only downside I'd say is the fuel tank could/should have been a tad larger.
The XJS has aged well over the years and whether in coupe, cabrio or convertible form will continue to mature into a quintessentially British classic.
When I eventually was able to buy one my world collapsed, I drove from Manchester to Bournemouth to view a lovely specimen cash in hand. it was just so pretty, it checked all the boxes but drove like a lemon. A wafty barge that needed spanking before it picked up its lazy arse, and cornered like a derailed shunter.
I put it down to a one-off and after trying a few others I was devastated, my dream car was not at all what I expected it to be. Yes I do still think they are gorgeous but am I ready for one? No, not yet, maybe in another 10 years or so when I'm a mid 50ish and post male menopausal.
I think I'd spoiled it for myself in that I already had an XJS convertible, and to change to the E type was counter productive in that I enjoyed to robust feel of the S.
I'm now enjoying my second XJS convertible, and have opted for the later XJRS shocks which stiffen up the ride...not too much, but just enough to stop the body roll without losing any of that amazing 'magic carpet' ride you get with the S.
Long distance hoonage to France and back is a sheer delight, only downside I'd say is the fuel tank could/should have been a tad larger.
The XJS has aged well over the years and whether in coupe, cabrio or convertible form will continue to mature into a quintessentially British classic.
HereBeMonsters said:
The E-Type is a hideous, ungainly looking cigar tube of pretentious w
k. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I have no idea why anyone could even remotely think it looked nice.
XJS is brilliant on the other hand.
Here you go, borrow these........k. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I have no idea why anyone could even remotely think it looked nice.XJS is brilliant on the other hand.
.....
I agree with Cooky, you can't beat a nice Mk 3 V12 Convertible......
I had 2 series 1 E-Types, a 3.8 FHC and a 4.2 OTS and a facelifted '92 XJS which I had from new. I had the XJS and one of the E-Types at the same time. The S1 FHC is in my opinion one of the best looking cars ever made and attracted more positive attention than any car that I have owned or driven, save possibly for my Sagaris.
I never personally thought that the XJS was that great looking a car but I do think it has improved with age. It's also great value. I'm hoping to pick up a decent example as a weekend smoker when I move to the US in the new Year.
Seriously, anyone who thinks that isn't gorgeous has no soul IMHO......
Whereas that is more purposeful than beautiful?
I never personally thought that the XJS was that great looking a car but I do think it has improved with age. It's also great value. I'm hoping to pick up a decent example as a weekend smoker when I move to the US in the new Year.
Seriously, anyone who thinks that isn't gorgeous has no soul IMHO......
Whereas that is more purposeful than beautiful?
unrepentant said:
Seriously, anyone who thinks that isn't gorgeous has no soul IMHO......
Just look at it. The passenger cabin looks like an afterthought, the bonnet is too long, the wheels appear to be retreating into the car from the arches. The doors are too small and don't fit the lines of the car. Terrible.How can a bonnet be too long?
Here's an OTS if you don't like the passenger compartment.
As to the wheels, the fronts are recessed because the top of the wheels is above the top of the wheel arch, if they weren't set back the wheels would foul the top of the arches. Either that of the top of the wheel arches would needed to come to the top of the wings or you'd have to make the bonnet hight so much higher. Compare the bonnet lines of the E and Mk2 behind it in the picture above. What almost the entire world finds so beautiful about the E is it's sleek lines. The long low bonnet is largely where this comes from. Perhaps you find the X350 XJ6/8 is better looking than the X300/X308 versions because it's gone all portly?
And Unrepentant I agree, I think the XJS has improved with age. I always liked them, but I think they look even better now than they did in period.
Here's an OTS if you don't like the passenger compartment.
As to the wheels, the fronts are recessed because the top of the wheels is above the top of the wheel arch, if they weren't set back the wheels would foul the top of the arches. Either that of the top of the wheel arches would needed to come to the top of the wings or you'd have to make the bonnet hight so much higher. Compare the bonnet lines of the E and Mk2 behind it in the picture above. What almost the entire world finds so beautiful about the E is it's sleek lines. The long low bonnet is largely where this comes from. Perhaps you find the X350 XJ6/8 is better looking than the X300/X308 versions because it's gone all portly?
And Unrepentant I agree, I think the XJS has improved with age. I always liked them, but I think they look even better now than they did in period.
To me the original E was one of the most beautiful shapes ever to make production. I still covet one.
The XJS never did it for me, and I hated the flying buttress treatment of the C panels. The convertible facelift car struck me as the best looking of the range. Unlike the E type, the XJS looked better the later you got in the production cycle.
When you think of what was around in 1962, the E was just an astonishing, beautiful car. I recall the first time I saw one, ( I was a kid), and I vowed I would own one when I grew up. I never did.
The XJS never did it for me, and I hated the flying buttress treatment of the C panels. The convertible facelift car struck me as the best looking of the range. Unlike the E type, the XJS looked better the later you got in the production cycle.
When you think of what was around in 1962, the E was just an astonishing, beautiful car. I recall the first time I saw one, ( I was a kid), and I vowed I would own one when I grew up. I never did.
HereBeMonsters said:
a8hex said:
As to the wheels, the fronts are recessed because the top of the wheels is above the top of the wheel arch, if they weren't set back the wheels would foul the top of the arches.
Well surely that's just poor design?The fashion, for that is what we are talking about, for having massive wheels with rubber bands stretched around the outside totally filling the wheel arches wasn't in vogue in 1961. Low profile tyres were still years away.
As I said, they were faced with the need to be able to turn the wheel a reasonable amount so as to have an acceptable turning circle. You there either need to recess the wheel or you need the top of the wheel arch to be clear of the top of the wheel on maximum suspension travel. You then need to have a have a certain amount of body work above the wheel arch. If you dig through pictures of racing Es you'll find ones where people have widened the track and fitted bigger wheels and tyres. The resultant changes to the front wing do not, IMHO, do the car any favours. You end up with a very skinny section between the top of the wheel arch and the top of the wing. With most cars the top of the wing is much higher. Lets face it, to get the bonnet on the modern XK as low as they have, Jaguar had to develop a bonnet that pops up to cushion pedestrians from hitting the hard points below in the event of an accident. The bonnet of an E is as low as they could get it, the bulge in the middle isn't some styling feature it is there to get over the top of the engine. The inlet manifold sweep downwards to get the carbs low enough to fit under the bonnet.
Compare the E Types front wheel design to some thing contemporary such as the Ferrari 250. Again you'll find recessed front wheels but here the wheel arch is full height. There is very little metal between the top of the arch and the wing top and the whole wing top is raised significantly above the hight of the bonnet.
You are entitled to your opinion. But don't be surprised that many people don't share it.
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