I worked on those cars for almost 30 years. From E Type's through XJ 40. Worst thing you could do is not drive your Jag regularly because they would rot. 2d worst thing you could do was drive it regularly because then you had to service it. Oil leaks were a specialty for the Jags. Probably book almost a million dollars in oil leak repairs. Add oil and let it leak. Much cheaper. Loved the challenge of working on the cars. XJ12 was my fav to work on. Heater cores were fun to replace too if you did it by the book and did not cheat by cutting the pipes and use hose clamps. If you knew your local Jag Rep you could get your XJ6 III motor rebuilt will into the 90's for a leaking rear main seal. Hidden warranty. Once they got into the 90's the XJ 40's became great cars if you did the maintenance. Could go on but this is my stopping point. I love the cars: the ride, the feel, the smell, the look and the sound. 😎❤❤
I worked as a company driver for a big UK corporation and drove these every day. They had their charm and were superbly comfortable but were very thirsty, lacked performance and had serious reliability issues. I had to call the AA several times - once after collecting two German industrialists from B'ham airport in a new Daimler 4.2 that decided to empty its fuel tanks on the road.... The company lost huge amounts on every Jag/Daimler it ran - two year old cars were sold off for a couple of hundred £ because nobody wanted them. Mercs were so much better, as were the big Opels, but foreign cars were a definite no go for publicity reasons.
I have been reading these comments and I cannot believe the bullshit written here. I own 2 X300 models a 1995 and a 1996 VDP. Both cars are driven weekly with no major issues, given the fact that both are almost 30 years old. One is at 320,000 miles, the other is at 165,000 miles. Both cars are not 1st owner but they have been maintained regularly by me for almost 15 years now. The bullshit about leaks, yes all Jaguars leaked because the seals and head gaskets were designed and tested up to certain temp. Both of my cars are in the US where the average temp goes above 112F. Rack and pinion would leak, mostly seals as they cannot withstand the temp,so you have to replace them with modern high temp ones. Now the famous Series III and XJ40 were not junk as most of you here keep arguing. When these cars were new , they were trouble free, all went through quality control prior to leaving the factory. The problem today for those of you who have running examples from that Era is simply age. All these cars are almost 40 years old, including electronics, suspension, interior, engine components, etc. They will begin to act up, if they had 5 owners who have neglected them. I am well versed into these cars and I can attest that they can be as reliable as any modern car on the road. It depends on preventative maintenance and dedication on the side of the owner. When most of your Jags knock over 300,000 miles call me one day and we can meet to talk more craftsmanship and quality of the Jaguar brand.
Fabulous video, I laughed when they called it AI back then, but it was great to see how handmade they were, such a shame the management and BL stuffed up such a beautiful car company.
Anyone watching that has done a body restoration on an XJ6 or 12 will be wondering where their car went when all the rustproofing was being applied. I have had many saloons and coupes, all of them badly structurally rusty and badly made "to a price"...
Try working in a service department in the 80s. New cars with shock absorbers leaking, could not get the parts, main oil seals failing totalling 20k engines and Jaguar refusing warranty claims, the electrics were something from another planet. On the day I left when a customer asked me what he should do about his 2 year old xj40 that had been in the shop at least 50 times. I answered buy a Mercedes (they were good then). We took all the flack on Service Reception for their poor designed in quality with no support from the dealerships or the company.
I have a beautiful 1987 xj6 Vanden Plas with 70,000 original miles and I am the second owner . It’s not our daily drive it’s just to enjoy a Sunday drive . Had it since 1989 .
Wonderful to see where my V12 Daimler was made. Reminds me how lucky I am to own & occasionally drive it. Easily the most beautiful 4-door car ever made.
been blessed iv owned 9 jags .4 xj6's 4 xjs. one had chevy 350 and still have 87 xjsc v12..still get compliments every time I take her for a ride. A TRUE CLASS AUTOMOBILE...
1981 jag 4.2 twin fuel tanks, it was on a different level from my P6 V8 Rover, wet or dry smooth or bumpy. Outstanding vehicle. Took mine up a special rd with large speed humps for 200 yards, floored the throttle at the start, and from 0 to 70 mph you literally could have drunk tea in it over these monster humps. Others tried it, boots bonnets bumpers were flapping before 100 yards had been covered.
HELLO RUSSEL,I HAD 3 XJ 6’S.ALWAYS IN FOR REPAIRS.THEY ARE MECANICLY,PILES OF JUNK.BUT I LOVED THE STYLE,THE RIDE,THE INTERIOR,AND THE DASHBOARD.I MIGHT BUY ONE MORE,WITH THE LEAPER ON THE HOOD.BUT NOT TO DRIVE! JUST TO LOOK AT! HAHAHAHA!
I worked on those cars for almost 30 years. From E Type's through XJ 40. Worst thing you could do is not drive your Jag regularly because they would rot. 2d worst thing you could do was drive it regularly because then you had to service it. Oil leaks were a specialty for the Jags. Probably book almost a million dollars in oil leak repairs. Add oil and let it leak. Much cheaper. Loved the challenge of working on the cars. XJ12 was my fav to work on. Heater cores were fun to replace too if you did it by the book and did not cheat by cutting the pipes and use hose clamps. If you knew your local Jag Rep you could get your XJ6 III motor rebuilt will into the 90's for a leaking rear main seal. Hidden warranty. Once they got into the 90's the XJ 40's became great cars if you did the maintenance. Could go on but this is my stopping point. I love the cars: the ride, the feel, the smell, the look and the sound. 😎❤❤
I worked as a company driver for a big UK corporation and drove these every day. They had their charm and were superbly comfortable but were very thirsty, lacked performance and had serious reliability issues. I had to call the AA several times - once after collecting two German industrialists from B'ham airport in a new Daimler 4.2 that decided to empty its fuel tanks on the road.... The company lost huge amounts on every Jag/Daimler it ran - two year old cars were sold off for a couple of hundred £ because nobody wanted them. Mercs were so much better, as were the big Opels, but foreign cars were a definite no go for publicity reasons.
I have been reading these comments and I cannot believe the bullshit written here. I own 2 X300 models a 1995 and a 1996 VDP. Both cars are driven weekly with no major issues, given the fact that both are almost 30 years old. One is at 320,000 miles, the other is at 165,000 miles. Both cars are not 1st owner but they have been maintained regularly by me for almost 15 years now. The bullshit about leaks, yes all Jaguars leaked because the seals and head gaskets were designed and tested up to certain temp. Both of my cars are in the US where the average temp goes above 112F. Rack and pinion would leak, mostly seals as they cannot withstand the temp,so you have to replace them with modern high temp ones. Now the famous Series III and XJ40 were not junk as most of you here keep arguing. When these cars were new , they were trouble free, all went through quality control prior to leaving the factory. The problem today for those of you who have running examples from that Era is simply age. All these cars are almost 40 years old, including electronics, suspension, interior, engine components, etc. They will begin to act up, if they had 5 owners who have neglected them. I am well versed into these cars and I can attest that they can be as reliable as any modern car on the road. It depends on preventative maintenance and dedication on the side of the owner. When most of your Jags knock over 300,000 miles call me one day and we can meet to talk more craftsmanship and quality of the Jaguar brand.
At some point during this commercial, really expected to hear: "Happiness is a cigar...called Hamlet"
Fabulous video, I laughed when they called it AI back then, but it was great to see how handmade they were, such a shame the management and BL stuffed up such a beautiful car company.
Anyone watching that has done a body restoration on an XJ6 or 12 will be wondering where their car went when all the rustproofing was being applied. I have had many saloons and coupes, all of them badly structurally rusty and badly made "to a price"...
Try working in a service department in the 80s. New cars with shock absorbers leaking, could not get the parts, main oil seals failing totalling 20k engines and Jaguar refusing warranty claims, the electrics were something from another planet. On the day I left when a customer asked me what he should do about his 2 year old xj40 that had been in the shop at least 50 times. I answered buy a Mercedes (they were good then). We took all the flack on Service Reception for their poor designed in quality with no support from the dealerships or the company.
Since this was made, look how Britain and in particular England and indeed Jaguar has changed.
I have a beautiful 1987 xj6 Vanden Plas with 70,000 original miles and I am the second owner . It’s not our daily drive it’s just to enjoy a Sunday drive . Had it since 1989 .
All those stages of corrosion protection & they still rusted like Billy-o. I know because I had a 10 year old XJ6 Series III in the early 90s.
Perhaps the most gorgeous cars ever made ? Sculptures on wheels
Truly the best of British !
Wonderful to see where my V12 Daimler was made. Reminds me how lucky I am to own & occasionally drive it. Easily the most beautiful 4-door car ever made.
Just beautiful cars !!!
Awesome ! Thank you so much ! just bought a '84 4.2 automatic XJ6, and I'm watching how and where she was made. A very very moving video !
Loved that. With the exception of Castle Bromwich - all those other facilities are long gone. Only my XJ-S and XJ40 bare testament to that bygone age.
been blessed iv owned 9 jags .4 xj6's 4 xjs. one had chevy 350 and still have 87 xjsc v12..still get compliments every time I take her for a ride. A TRUE CLASS AUTOMOBILE...
1981 jag 4.2 twin fuel tanks, it was on a different level from my P6 V8 Rover, wet or dry smooth or bumpy. Outstanding vehicle. Took mine up a special rd with large speed humps for 200 yards, floored the throttle at the start, and from 0 to 70 mph you literally could have drunk tea in it over these monster humps. Others tried it, boots bonnets bumpers were flapping before 100 yards had been covered.
Thank you!
HELLO RUSSEL,I HAD 3 XJ 6’S.ALWAYS IN FOR REPAIRS.THEY ARE MECANICLY,PILES OF JUNK.BUT I LOVED THE STYLE,THE RIDE,THE INTERIOR,AND THE DASHBOARD.I MIGHT BUY ONE MORE,WITH THE LEAPER ON THE HOOD.BUT NOT TO DRIVE! JUST TO LOOK AT! HAHAHAHA!