Me too, I was 16 in 91 w my DL and I always wanted to drive my friend's dad's v12, the convertibles grew on me a bit I suspect I didn't like them due to the relentlessly broiling houston heat but now that I've been in SF for some time, with this weather year round and the PCH (1), I find myself checking out the ads for one however the ones in good to great condition are all on BaT, Cars n Bids, or worse and are now prohibitively expensive
My Dad worked at Jaguar for 41 years as an engineer and was at Malcolm’s desk when he first penned the XJS. I can tell you very reliably it was never intended or even a thought to be mid engined.
James May's assessment, in the review he did for Top Gear, it's like you'd worked up the perfect recipe for Shepherd's Pie (the design was quite impressive) and then used dog meat (Jaguar cheaped out on the details, like attention to build quality, substandard electrics, etc.). For about twenty thousand quid, there was a company that could fix it up and allow the car to live up to its potential.
@@Number27 Sayer did look at the idea of a mid-engined sportscar but the themes he was trying out were very different to what was going in with X27. A great shame he died in 1970 before his ideas were fully realised.
One of the best cars I’ve ever had the privilege of driving was a ‘Jagrolet’, an XJS with the wheezy Jaguar engine and gearbox replaced with the high-output 350 V8 and GM automatic gearbox from a crashed Chevrolet Impala police car. The bits bolted right in to the engine bay with an over-the-counter adapter kit from John’s Cars in Texas. The resultant car was infinitely faster, more reliable, cheaper to run, and I think even a fair bit lighter, plus it doubled the fuel economy.
My boss had a V-12 one in 1979. Royal blue.I was a truck driver. He threw me the keys and said take it down the freeway for half an hour son. It was quite a machine, so smooth and so beautiful. When I opened the bonnet for a look though it was a plumber's nightmare. A mass of tubes and wires. I was a pretty good backyard mechanic and had worked on old Jags with a mate, but the man who designed these never had to bloody work on them. Still, it had something special and I loved driving it.
I have 1989 V12 HE Auto in Bordeaux red for 23 years now. Bought by my father who was a pilot and accountant. Amazing comfort and effortless power. He also owned an E-Type, I can assure you the XJS is far easier to drive, quieter and a better ride. Buy a clapped out one and you will be very disappointed. Excellent fuel economy for a V12 if driven fairly. Wonderful design. Bullet proof V12 and gearbox. Electrics never been a problem. Original headlining replaced as began to drop down after 20 years. The key is owning one that is looked after.
I hate that the XJS is always given such a hard time. It was never designed as a direct replacement for the E-type anyway. I think they look great, especially the face lifted model like this. I also think they've stood the test of time much better than most other cars from this era. I think the rear buttresses look cool too.
Given the success of the E-Type, why didn't Jaguar make a direct E-Type replacement or evolution? Jaguar cancelling the E-Type is like Porsche actually cancelling the 911 for the 928, instead of merely considering doing that (before relenting and letting the 911 continue with -- in the interim -- a low development budget).
I’m sitting in an early one and it’s one of the best driving in cars ever. These are so quiet handle so well and there stupid cheap. It’s time for real car guys to start buying them and make them nice. Price out the cheap old farts that brag about how cheap they found an oil filter for.
All of these 70s era Jags need a common sense refurbishing and restomodding. It is a V12 GT car so I thinks it does that very well in the obvious Jag manner. The ride quality common among all classic Jags is endearing and enticing to me personally. I don't want to be beaten up or tossed about while enjoying my car - sure, performance biased suspensions are very nice but how often do you really exploit that ability. I want gobs of smooth, effortless power with a competent chassis that is enjoyable for the 95% of the time that most of us really apply. That's what a GT car does and the many versions that the various manufacturers executed did this in their own flavor and style. The XJS is one of my favorites from this era and I think they've aged very well.
My late father bought a new British Racing Green, pre-HE V12 Coupe in 1981 as his daily driver. He enjoyed it for many years and well over 100K miles. It did have its fair share of of visits to the shop. As I recall it needed a couple of transmission rebuilds and one or two valve jobs. But that wasn't a big issue because he loved driving it so much. I will never forget the silky "turbine-like" smoothness of that engine or the suppleness of the ride. Trips from San Francisco down the coast to Monterey were a delight.
@@supertuscans9512 The bottom end was never an issue, it was the valves and/or head gaskets that were the engine issue. I think the transmission issues were mostly due to his lead foot!
The XJS was a great car. I remember seeing them win the 1985 Bathurst 1000km race in Australia, when i was a kid. Beautiful to watch. The overall shape of the car is gorgeous, and they can STILL look super-hot if they have the right wheels & options/tweaks to bodywork.
My dad had a 1983 Y reg 5.3HE V12. We travelled across Europe in it a number of times, it never let us down! Fantastic car, and as an 12 year old boy, it felt really quick, and super special to travel in.😊
It's a very special experience to drive and be a passenger in a 5.3 liter XJS. So much power but like a Rolls-Royce in terms of quitenes and smooth ride. And because the centre of gravity is so low, they handle brilliantly. I was a driver so I know this as a fact.
They were really quick. Yeah, it wasn't going to compete with a Countach or a 512BB, but even today, at motorway speeds there isn't much outside of supercar territory that can live with the midrange punch of that V12 if you decide to put your clog down and enter 'not motorway speed' territory. It's still a torque monster.
What a treat to be able to ride in one of those contemporary XJSs. I loved sitting in my dads E30 325i and when I drove it I felt top of the world. In those days BMW only sold about 4 different saloons so they were comparatively rare, so an XJS was even more special. I’d still have an XJS today. Don’t consider it a failure or dated in any way. Great looking cars.
I’ve got three and made them all different . One quiet , one loud screamer with x pipe Italian sounding v12 and one With quieter v12 sound . Adjustable suspension. Manual conversion next on one .
0-60 in 7.5 seconds ? My foot. The Jaguar XJS v12 HE of 1981/2 was the fastest automatic car in the world at the time . 158mph and 0- 60 in 6.8 secs or less. Car magazine drove one across Europe at a point to point average at 70mph and got 21mpg. As far as the handling department concerned , I’ve seen these being driven like a mk2 Escort RS2000 , from those who knew how, remember Gambit in the New Avengers?..I’ve said this before on Ian Tyrrells classic you tube channel as well as Harry’s Garage, the Jaguar V12 is the best production engine of all time . Although the straight six AJ6 versions are more simply accessible to work on . Nevertheless, enjoyed your video immensely, Jack . When I see a road test on TH-cam on the XJS it usually makes me wanting one . Your video certainly hasn’t failed on that level either, good show
had one for 5 years and when it worked it was glorious. the v12 was smooth and from the interior almost silent. there was almost no sensation of speed until you glanced at the speedo and realized how far over the limit you were , but it handled the corners without drama and could run fast all day long. at speed you could have a normal conversation no need to raise your voice. i miss it but not working on it or the fuel bills
Very nearly bought a non-running v12, but I thought better of it. Since watching Harry's Garage when he restored his xjc, which was a driving car, and how much it cost, I think I'm glad I passed it up!
@@danielkeel9265 Hiya.Yes I watch Harrys Garage and love that XJC but the recent video shows how much you need to spend on a jag V12 to keep it running on all 12.Absolute money pit.Shame but true.Walk well away and then start walking very fast.
I had a V12 89 model. I’ve had many other cars since then. This is the one that got away. We were a perfect match until that damn engine fire caused by the corroded fuel rail.
@@glennpowell3444 his running costs are also because he is using a specialist shop and their labor charges are not cheap. A home-garage mechanic can do a vast majority of the "typical" stuff and can do so relatively affordably.
I can’t work out how so many people misunderstand the Jaguar XJ-S. yes the XJ-S followed the E-type but it was never a replacement. It was never designed to be. It was always intended as an executive express. A GT car. All I can say is drive an XJ-S and you’ll be amazed. There’s nothing else that could hold a candle to it for refinement, and remember a V12 will genuinely do over 150mph due to its efficient aerodynamics. 15% better than an E-type. Also something else people forget is this car has genuine motorsport pedigree. Winning the 1984 European touring car championship. Putting several manufacturers noses out of joint in the process. Also an outright win at the 1985 Bathurst 1000. Why is the XJ-S not celebrated more? Because I think it deserves to be. A wonderful, individual and beautiful car.
You forget the success Jaguar had in America. That was its intended market. Over 50% of Jaguars sales was to America. Racing and sales success. Group 44 won numerous national championships with the Jaguar V12. Winning against the Cobra Camaro, Corvette. And later Porsche, BMW. Etc.
But *why* didn't the E-Type get a direct replacement too? If you have a successful model why on Earth discontinue it? We know Porsche nearly cancelled the 911 in favour of concentrating on the 928, but eventually they decided against that (other iconic cars like the Corvette and Mustang have been produced continuously too, despite abandoned plans to cancel the Mustang and replace it with the Ford Probe).
In 2000 my family attended a Jaguar rally in the South Island of New Zealand. We took a 5.3 litre XJC along. We met a fellow who was a panel beater who built a new XJS from two damaged ones. The result was a beautiful car which worked well, he and his family loved it and they traveled all over New Zealand in it. Looking at the interior of this car they seem to have borrowed some of the XJ6 and XJC designs for the gear leaver and dashboard areas. Thank you for another great video. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
I think the XJ-S is a stunning car, beautiful 70s styling perfect for the era at a time when the 60s style was considered old fashioned. Every great 70s car looked totally different from the model before, it was a decade of huge change.
"60s style was considered old fashioned" Porsche 911? 🤔 The exception to the rule? It seems Porsche enthusiasts didn't complain about the car using the same basic glasshouse and doors all the way from 1964 to 1996. (If anything when it changed to contemporary 90s jellybean styling in 1997, Porsche enthusiasts complained more about that than about it not changing!)
I'm 6 foot 2 and quite big. I fitted in fine - never felt cramped and drove all over Europe. Mine was a full facelift 1994. It never let me down. It was plenty swift enough and was beautiful. Yes, nobody ever really went in the back, and it was a reverse Tardis, but for two adults, it was amazing. I'd have kept it, if it hadn't have been written off because some drunk idiots decided to dance all over the bonnet, roof and boot. In 2005, it wasn't worth that much so the insurance company decided to call it a day. Very sad. To this day, I miss it. It drove impeccably and was, thirst aside, a perfect GT.
Easy mods to make dramatic improvements to the performance is to open up the intake and exhaust. Jag used ridiculously small intake and exhaust to cut engine noise. The airbox inlet "horns" should be removed and then pipe 3" hose to cold air, you will hear the engine pulling in air under full throttle but it is in no way an unpleasant sound. The tiny exhaust piping (7/8" if I recall correctly) should be increased to at least 1.25" pipe, I went with 1.5" pipe on mine. I also replaced the cats with modern high flow cats and removed the middle mufflers completely. Also installed X crossover in the exhaust and glass packs in place of the original resonators. The car woke up and performed very well. It also sounded fabulous under acceleration.
I regularly drove my uncles black V12 5.3 when I was 19. I remember being thrown the keys.. I turned the ignition but nothing happened, turned it again and realised the engine was already on.. so quiet.. then I couldn't find the hand brake - those who know will know what I mean - and finally, I'd never driven an automatic, never experienced power steering or brakes.. The thing was amazing. You cannot imagine the buzz - kid of 19 taking it down the pub, driving it around town, up to London. It was the ultimate Girl magnet and I am forever grateful!
The leaper on an XJ-S bonnet is sacrilege. Glorious-looking car, especially the pre-'92 facelift version, without the XJ40-esque rear lamps. These look far better in reality than on video. Convert a 5.3 V12 to 5-speed manual and you'll have a real weapon.
@@jsquared1013 I was given a red 1977 XJ-S 5 years ago or so but it was too rotten for me to save. I sold it for spares but in hindsight I wish i'd kept it now and taken it on as a long-term restoration. Even though the sills were rotted out and the floorpan had some rust holes in it too it looked stunning on those kent alloys. I keep having to remind myself that Harry Metcalf spent £53k restoring his V12 XJC
An elderly friend of ours would ask me to drive her xjs from time to time due to her age and the car just sitting there. It was an early 90s convertible. Lovely condition. I never got so many stares and thumbs up with any other car. It is not a car for somebody who doesn't like to talk to strangers at a gas station. It simply draws people. The V12 is so smooth, the long hood guides you down the road in style. Yes the interior is small but on a nice sunny day, hardly any issue. I have such fond memories of it. You just don't see them anymore on the roads and when you do, it is a magnificent classic.
I worked for a road test test cell supplier to Jaguar back then and was sent to Browns Lane about 1982 to check out an issue. I had to wait a few hours until the production line shut down so was free to wander around and watch the assembly process. When I returned to the test cells around 6PM after a pub dinner all three were in use with a number of managers and other staff standing around chatting. Two XJS V12 examples were running at a fixed road speed (on cruise control, no drivers) with blankets placed over the bonnets. A third was running without a blanket. I was was told they had several reports from Arizona of V12 engines seizing. After about 15 minutes nothing had gone wrong and they moved the 3 cars back into the production queue.
I have pre-facelift TWR coupe with a V12. It’s magnificent. That gross Leaper has to go. Two bonnet badges on a car… 🤦♂️ (Side note: I’m in the midst of a reading Saving Jaguar, by 1980s Jag CEO John Egan. It’s terrific. I recommend it. The story of the XJ-S’s sales turnaround after ‘82 is astounding - they were considering cancelling the car, demand was so low, but things changed and its best year was ‘89, IIRC. I remember how popular this car was in 1989, when it was already 14 years old! My dad had an ‘87 and the neighbour liked it so much he bought an ‘88 for himself.)
Best riding car I’ve owned. With better seat adjustment it would be a world beater in terms of comfort. Had mine 22years, done 46000 miles in her and never broken down in it. Parts are starting to get harder to source, but otherwise easy to maintain.
as a kid, i promised myself i would own one and did in 1991 when I was 27. Bough an 1985 B plated V12 HE in white. took it on camping holiday to europe with wife and 2 kids, she did 19-21 mpg on that trip and never missed a beat, still i miss her man
Ive had two XJS V12s, one a HE and the other a Pre HE, both were stunning and so easy to drive. The HE was the better car, more economical (😂) but who cares about that in one of these…One of the best cars ive owned. Great video Jack as usual 😊
I would love to own one of these cars I used to work and service them 25 years ago love driving them on road test great cars from a great British company
I don’t dare what is said about the Jaguar XJS it is still a stunning car that has one hell of presence on the road. I love them, as to the chassis the Jaguar XK8 and the Aston DB7 both used the same underpinnings, and that has to say something
Saw xjs recently and was surprised at how well they aged. I was a teenager when the car was released and wasn't impressed. But now a more interesting car than the E type.
OK, Jack... I managed a Jaguar main dealer in the mid-'80s, so I have a bit of relevant knowledge/experience. While the E-type was a nimble, light feeling, fast SPORTS car, the S was heavy, mushy, cumbersome and not all that fast. It WAS a good GT car, if you fit in it, but headroom was always tight...and then we started getting cars with factory-fitted sunroofs. Goodbye to 1.5" of precious headroom! Mind you, this was a great motorway car: it would do 100mph hour after hour until they caught you at it, or you ran out of petrol. Gas mileage was never even adequate...and then there were the problems. I had three new cars burn to the ground because the factory guys hadn't snugged up the fuel lines sufficiently. And this was the John Egan era, when Jaguar quality control was much better. Also, most owners were staggered at the maintenance costs...and the mechanics HATED the cars because of all the gubbins in the way of performing regular operations. Yet, the owners who actually understood what the car would and would not do and could afford the servicing loved their cars. Grace, Pace & Space...OK, not so much space in the cabin, but the boot was big!
Owners comments, I have an XJS 4.0L auto mk2. I run a few cars and have owned hundreds to compare the car with. I bought the XJS to fill a gap as a retro cruiser, for when taking a faster car out is not worth it and a modern one is too sensible. It takes a few miles of use before the XJS starts to impress. You realise though it does handle and steer much better than one would expect. No roll, a less jiggly ride than modern cars, good brakes, direct steering into sweepers with good feed back. Nothing exceptional except it does it with the charm of a classic but as capable as a modern luxury car. Its just one of those cars you don't want to get out of. The 4.0L is 4 speed not 3 as per the video, also it does pull well low down but you need to understand how the auto box operates. It will cruise in a high gear (hence relaxed progress at lower rpm) unless you request a lower gear. A quick press right down on the throttle signals the car to select a lower gear. Different from flooring it for max shove. They have now past that 'dated jag' period and it gets a lot of positive attention from both young and old. Just a really elegant way to go out for lunch and surprisingly capable when you move from waft pace to pressing on.
When I was 10 in 1999 my dad went to look at a red V12 XJS. I begged him to buy it but he never did. He must have chickened out, now I'm older I respect his decision 😂. I think these are now starting to look really elegant and are now a true classic
For me, the XJS, especially the later iterations, was THE most beautiful car ever produced in the UK. Some may disagree, but I've always had a soft spot for its sleek looks, it's stance, and it's grace. It could have a 2.5L inline 4, and that wouldn't change my opinion of it being the car that I always wanted to own more than any other, even if it was a little cramped inside. It was like no other Jaguar, and showed real vision about what a British car manufacturer could produce, and the talent that existed at Jaguar at the time. And they were BRAVE to bring this car to the market, given the oil crisis, and the fact that it looked so far removed from anything else at that time. It was a TRULY unique car, and has never been repeated since. Long live the XJS ❤️
To me, the XJS will always be one of Jaguars greats - a really stylish and sleek grand tourer that's just so fitting for the brand. I also would consider it a success as it was primarily in its early years - post-oil crisis and with BL "quality" - that it failed to sell as expected. In the mid 1980s, after sales improved XJS had its best years and was at its best, with better quality but still the original styling.
Totally agree on the FIAT Dino coupé comment, nailed that. I owned a 5.3 HE and a 6.0 convertible and loved them both. The 5.3 ate my pocketbook alive, but that was my fault for buying a car with more issues than I realized. I love the flying buttresses and long sleek hood. The car was so quiet on a long trip from San José, CA to L.A., CA.... I was running with a trio of Nissan Maximas for a time nearing sunset. My wife noticed and asked if they were still following us, I replied, "Oh no, their top speeds are limited" she commented, "I see, so how fast are you going?" I smiled, "145mph" 🙂Surprisingly quick/fast car. I've moved on to Maseratis now, but have fond memories of my V12 Jaguars.
I don't care what negative comments people make about the XJS, as soon as I saw the white XJS in Return Of The Saint as a kid, I fell in love with the car. Still love to own one.
Hang on, they couldn't give E Types away at the last years of production with woeful production numbers and very dated and unrefined, not being great when new. Buttresses were for structural reasons, US market was going to ban convertibles, so cabriolet was the way to go....this still caused issues with the proposed XJS as monocoque stiffness was so poor. Two year waiting list up to 79 on XJS.
2:39 The wird design of the rear, was also to provide a large and easy access to the trunk. If you look at any Jaguar, the trunk was always designed to allow putting two golf bags in longitudinal direction without having to remove any clubs or the side rolling mechanism.
Love the XJS. My favourite Jag. I think people just couldn't get over it looking so different to the etype. Don't forget the series 3 etype was a bit of a bloat machine & didn't even look that great by then.
I still struggle to see how there was not a model generation between them. Not knocking the E its an icon but this is more of a proper car. Look at those tiny toy doors on the etypes you can just step over them and the radial tyres its just all round an old car. This is a proper car you get into with proper doors.
@@bensmithkent22 " This is a proper car you get into with proper doors." But people actively *want* the coach-built wannabe (actual?) GT race car look of the E-Type, don't they? The (numerous) E-Types look perfectly in place in historic sportscar racing amongst "more exotic" multi-million dollar Ferraris and Porsches and the like. The E-Type fettled by Adrian Newey supposedly has a quite a few (perfectly legal) tweaks on it! Aside from the genuine Group A cars, there don't seem to be as many XJS race cars as E-Type ones, as (perhaps) it is not worth spending $30,000 on a racebuilt Jaguar V12 for a XJS that's only worth $40,000-60,000 (at best) anyway? To be fair, there are quite a lot of XJSes in the Jaguar club racing series in the UK, but a lot of these are a little "tatty", don't have 450-550hp V12 motors in them (close to standard instead?), and are perhaps not to the same standards as the E-Types? For whatever reason, the E-Type is the much more desirable classic (on average). It doesn't make sense why Jaguar didn't evolve it into another generation(s) like the Corvette or 911.
I loved the look of this car growing up. It was sleek and sporty looking. It was not until I began hearing negative things about them that I understood the difference between the E-Type and the XJ platform. Those in the burgundy or green paint with cream color leather are just amazing.
I've had two XJS 5.3 liter V12 Coupes and I am a huge fan of the car. I find them handsome and luxurious ... I'm 5'10" so they fit me well. I can still smell the leather interiors! I'm presently looking for a 1995 or '96 6.0 liter V12 Coupe.
A pal had a pre HE V12. Lovely ride, very cramped, as you found and terrible fuel consumption of about 12 MPG. It's quite surprising, engine cc difference taken into consideration, that this 4 litre straight six has a dearth of torque low down, as I think that the V12 had a much shorter stroke. If one had access to a nice private oilfield, the final 6 litre V12 would be the one to have.
It didn't fail...... The best contemporary, and now classic Jaguar. TWR still selling somewhat 'upgraded' versions today. Take a look. Gorgeous cars then and now!
@Number27 Thanks.... yes..... watched it. If I could justify having one I would....just amazing! I had a six litre in the early/mid 2000s. Miss it now like crazy!
Never liked the E-Type that much, but the 70's looks of this 70's Jaguar makes it a beautiful car. I don't understand how people can say it fails in that department.
Also at 12:15 Jack talks about "the three speed box" which is incorrect. The V12 did have a three speed transmission (GM TH400) but this car with the 4.0L AJ6 engine would have the 4spd ZF 4HP24 automatic gearbox.
I'm pretty sure that the 4l cars had a 4 or 5 speed auto depending on year. The V12's came with a 3 speed auto until 94 and then went to a 4 speed auto in 94 with the 6l motor. You should drive a 6l car.
I owned an XJS V12 HE for a few years. I loved that car. The first time I took it in to the mechanic, he put it on his dyno and said it was the most powerful, fasted XJS he has ever seen. As with 99.9% of Jags, it leaked oil from places where it would have cost more than the car was worth. Had to replace the AC compressor, but that was it. All else as normal upkeep. The car ran and rode like a dream. I took it up to 165MPH once and the car was still pulling when I lifted my foot. I sold it for what I paid for it. Total cost of ownrship for about 4 years was less than $2K (not counting gas).
I saw one of these recently on the road. It was red, looked immaculate, and had the registration number something like P15 XJS which I thought was cool. It looked amazing tbh.
The British motor industry came out of the 1940’s in great shape. The transition from military to civilian industry gifted the likes of Jaguar access to cheap materials, facilities and technology. The workforce was lean, fit, well-trained and disciplined. The competition (in Germany at least) was in tatters. The UK government was busy blowing the proceeds of the Marshal fund on vanity projects (and a distracted British government means unhindered British innovation). By the time the XJS appeared, the playing field was very different. The German motor industry had transitioned from meeting basic needs to creating desirable objects… the prudent investment of Germany’s (much smaller) share of the Marshal money was beginning to bear fruit. The British government was meddling, with predictable results. Money was leaking away all over the place and the asking price reflected this. The price comparison in GBP is trivial - the UK motor industry needs export sales. In the 70’s and 80’s, success depended on the USA and it was necessary to be very good in order to get a decent share of that wealth.
The series 1, and 2 e-type is an incredibly beautiful car, and never has anything even got close to replicate it, to me, when it went to the V12, it became a monster, and ugly, but we all see stuff differently
I don't think the ability to move around as you say means comfort on a long journey. Race car drivers go long distance and they are basically stuck tightly in place. They are comfortable.
I never liked the XJS when it was sold new (and I was a lot younger). I thought it was a barge, ugly and of dubious quality at that. 6 minus for Jaguar. Could do better.... Now, many years on, it has grown on me massively. I must have had no taste or eye for beauty when I was younger. I think it is fantastic and the looks have stood the test 9f time. Thank for the video and finding this beautiful example. Thank for the work you put in. It shows!
I'm 6' 2". I had a 3.6. I loved it. Economy of the 3.6 is very good for size and weight. Just expensive to service. Sold my 3.6 from 1987 in 2004 with just 52k miles in, it was in beautiful condition, NO rust at all.
@@Number27 I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen, in the flesh. My uncle had one, and it was so incredibly exotic when you actually saw one in real life - especially with that early pre-HE aluminium dashboard. But all the real ale drinkers and pipe smokers didn't like it one bit - it was too 'modern'. They compared it to the E-type, which was ridiculous - like comparing an MGB V8 to a Rover SD1 V8. They were just not aimed at the same market.
@@MrVinylista "They compared it to the E-type, which was ridiculous" But Porsche didn't make the mistake of actually cancelling the 911 for the 928, they only considered it. So those who weren't won over by the 928 could still buy the traditional 911. Why didn't Jaguar continue the E-Type or make a direct replacement alongside the newfangled XJS? 🙂
I loved the XJS from the moment I first saw one in The Return of the Saint. I'd still love to own one of the last of the line ones just before production stopped. The final facelifts really suited it.
Nah, it was just built by Roberts, instead of robots! :P The 928 was (and still is!) a far superior car. 3:27 - A classic 1960s interior in a 1990s car + horribly tight passenger compartment. 3:54 - Cheap-ass black plastic garbage switches juxtaposing the 1950s wood grain. 4:44 - I love the way the wing mirrors look like they were stolen from a different car.
Why do people insist on fitting the Leaper from an earlier era to these cars? It looks wrong and is just waiting to impale any pedestrian unfortunate enough go over the bonnet. I wonder what the attitude of the law would be to such an injury. I drove a V12 in the late seventies for a while and it was fabulous, if badly put together.
Fabulous video, Jack. Your easy manner and knowledgeable narration is a delight and I always look forward to your motoring reviews, no matter the car. Bravo.
I had a 1978 one for a while, I never saw the point of it when for less money one could have an XJ12 coupe with better looks, better accommodation, and the same performance. It went well, and gave me no trouble though; more than could be said for the Mercedes 450slc that succeeded it.
The XJ12 Coupe looked like an old mans car from inception and a bastardised version of a nice looking practical car. If yoy have four seat your want four holes to access them from.
I don’t think it matters now what people thought when the XJS was first released. Recognition has slowly been growing and now many people appreciate the outstanding design and qualities of the XJS, in comparison to its contemporaries and to most modern vehicles.
The true replacement for the E-Type would have been a road-going version of the XJ13 race car prototype. As an E-type owner in the early 1970s, that was what I was hoping for.
In a sensible world, the XJS should have been an additional model. The E Type needed to evolve in the same way that the 911 did. Was it simply stupidity on behalf of the directors at Jaguar? The XJS definitely improved over the years. A good one like this is still very special. Great vid again Jack, as always.
Many people forget, by the end of road and track posting cannonball times, the fastest time was a XJS. I will probably never own one, especially the Version touched by koenig specials which haunts my dreams, but I appreciate them non the less
I had an 82 XJS (12 Cyl), a 62 E type and a 93 XJ6 VDP with the 6 Cyl engine he talks about. (I also had a Mk 10, an XK 140 FHC and an X Type.) The XJS was an "A to B Whoosh". A review at the time said the hardest part of driving the XJS was getting the stereo volume set right. The E Type was a sports car, mechanical, visceral and involving to drive. The only electrical thing was the clock and it never worked. The XJS he tested with the 6 cyl similar to the VDP had would have made a nice car. A friend of mine bought my 93 VDP and still uses it today as a daily driver. The 6 was the last "real Jaguar" engine and very reliable. The only things that ever failed on the XJS were the American Delco A/C and GM transmission.
I think you have view this car as NOT a replacement for the E-Type… and in fact rid your mind of any E-type comparisons. It then starts to have an appeal all of its own.
The XJS never failed. It wasn't an E Type replacement and yes it was a shock design, much like the outgoing XJ which is truly hideous to me. The XJS, was a grand tourer, not a sports car. Jaguar in the 1970's and into the 1990's suffered quality issues from employees and suppliers and it these issues that caused "failures". And let us not forget, no car is perfect and other brands suffer quality and reliability issues too. Having owned two V12 XJS's, I can reliably say that my 6'2" frame was always comfortable when driving. Good video of a great car!
"And let us not forget, no car is perfect" The Lexus LS400 does have very, very few defects though. It's all about modern production equipment (something Jaguar struggled with until Ford), being extremely demanding on suppliers to supply parts strictly to spec and reject all parts even slightly out-of-spec (e.g., 30 microns out? in the scrap metal bin it goes -- something most automakers other than Toyota and Honda still don't do, they seem to be more interested in awarding the deal to the cheapest tender), and extremely meticulous engineering and engineering for production (i.e., the production engineering should be such that's it's impossible for assembly workers to make mistakes, the Japanese concept of "poka-yoke" mistake proofing).
I was at Radford Road asa draughtsman just pre launch, there was a wearhoue full of completed v12 motors all fitted with 2 solex carbs per bank. Our DO was next to the photo studio we all sat in a pre prod xjs 1 lunch time
I remember seeing one in Miami, it was new and they had added chrome wheel trims and chrome wheel arches. It was white and sat outside a hotel. Never mind overheating and all that, it looked fantastic. No American or German can could match it. And of course compared to an SL it was very cheap.
I had a V-11 one for a short while , never did discover which cylinder was missing, but honestly, you could hardly tell ! The fuel bill was keeping me poor, so I unloaded it onto someone else for about £600 which was a fair price at the time. For comparison, I bought a V-8 Stag for £850, did a bit of work on it and sold it for £1300 around the same time.
I LOVE the look of these things inside and out. I borrowed an XJS-R with the 6cyl for a weekend wanted one ever since. I'm sure it's not the best to live with, but from what I experienced, it was a fantastic GT.
Another great video Jack! I’ve always loved the XJS and definitely my favourite car as I grew up during the late 70’s and 80’s. I couldn’t wait to watch The Saint with Ian Ogilvy on a Sunday evening just to see a few minutes of his white XJS. The XJS and the Triumph TR7 were my favourite cars back then! 👌
Once again you've made be appreciate a car I had always turned my nose up at. The lines have aged well, and I'll bet the V12 was very sweet to drive. All the automatic transmissions in those days were sloppy, but more and more car buyers wanted convenience over performance. Thanks again.
Hi Jack, great piece, during which you showed a picture of the E type Coupe. It got me thinking, it has never occurred to me before. There is a distant shape similarity to the 911. I thought that Porsche, through 8 iterations have kept the 911 shape and yet Jaguar felt the need to completely change the shape and double the price. Why?
Yep, it's poor product planning isn't it? Porsche *were* going to cancel the 911 in favour of the 928, but eventually they (smartly?) backed out of that and let the 911 continue ticking along through the 80's with minimal changes and a low development budget (until focus returned to the 911 once the 928 was canclled). Why didn't Jaguar keep the E-Type line going alongside the XJS?! [To be fair, the four iterations of the 911 on the Ur-911 chassis all have the same glasshouse and doors -- 911, 911 SC, 964, 993; so inevitably they will all be roughly the same shape because it's the same basic chassis!]
Thanks Jack. You've driven the car I'm most interested in. Sorry you didn't get the chance to drive the V12. You might be surprised what a deep and passionate following the XJS has (though it hasn't been big enough to sustain all of the cars produced - thus so many have rotted away.)
I've got a G reg XJS and I've had it on the road for over 20 years. Mine has the 3.6 litre engine with FUEL INJECTION so it has returned 35 MILES PER GALLON since I've had it. Just after I bought my XJS I was presented with a situation on the road where I needed to be anywhere else FAST. I KICKED DOWN on the throttle and my XJS accelerated to safety. I looked down and the speedo was starting to come down past 120 mph. This car accelerated so much faster than any car I have ever owned, so much that it got me out of the way of another road user causing problems safely. Like I said at the beginin, I have now owned this car for over 20 years and I hope it will see me out.
I drove a number of these during the 80s and 90s and enjoyed them immensely. More than quick enough, refined and no mechanical issues at all. The 5.3 V12 was a joy to drive except when it came to fuel consumption. One of mine had a factory installed body kit and twin headlamps which totally altered the look of the car for the better.
Not so long ago you could pick up a late one of these for £5K, now a good one is £15k. The facelift models are a very different kettle of fish to the antique grandfather clocks that were driving about in the late 80's, Ford money had seen to the build quality issues with galvanised bodies and aircraft grade electrics.
Getting out is when you realise just how special as the noise of the workd comes back as you climb over the lower door sill. Such a beautiful car to drive .
In 1985 3 Jaguar XJS's were entered into the James Hardie 1000 Bathurst race in Australia for the first and only time. They all finished the race with 2 podium finishes, 1st and 3rd.
I have had an XJS for 20 years, it is a fabulous machine. It is a 1990 XJRS 6.0 V12 in signal red with magnolia interior so has the spolier body kit package that TWR developed in the 1990s but being a Jaguarsport vehicle is an official model. Cost 44,000 quid in 1990 so was the most expensive jag sold in the showrooms. There is something sublime in the V12, it is so silky smooth and powerful, 315bhp not being huge by modern standards but it can hustle the Jag to 60 very quickly and on to 160mph (only tried 160mph once, scary). The GM400 transmission has an altered vaccuum modulator from the factory so shifts are sharp, the springs and steering rack are changed so the handling is sharp and quick. The interior is the sublime XJS blend of leather and wood and chrome. Very comfy on a long trip. There is a Momo steering wheel on this model. After 20 years it now appears positively small alongside the SUVs of today.
I personally think the XJS is one of the best looking modern classics. I've always loved 'em.
I agree. It has look like no other car of its time. Loving it, too.
Has some Vignale Design influencs
Me too, I was 16 in 91 w my DL and I always wanted to drive my friend's dad's v12, the convertibles grew on me a bit I suspect I didn't like them due to the relentlessly broiling houston heat but now that I've been in SF for some time, with this weather year round and the PCH (1), I find myself checking out the ads for one however the ones in good to great condition are all on BaT, Cars n Bids, or worse and are now prohibitively expensive
I AGREE
My Dad worked at Jaguar for 41 years as an engineer and was at Malcolm’s desk when he first penned the XJS. I can tell you very reliably it was never intended or even a thought to be mid engined.
Top Gear liked to make stuff up 😂
Thank you!! Great to get confirmation!!
James May's assessment, in the review he did for Top Gear, it's like you'd worked up the perfect recipe for Shepherd's Pie (the design was quite impressive) and then used dog meat (Jaguar cheaped out on the details, like attention to build quality, substandard electrics, etc.). For about twenty thousand quid, there was a company that could fix it up and allow the car to live up to its potential.
@@Number27 Sayer did look at the idea of a mid-engined sportscar but the themes he was trying out were very different to what was going in with X27. A great shame he died in 1970 before his ideas were fully realised.
One of the best cars I’ve ever had the privilege of driving was a ‘Jagrolet’, an XJS with the wheezy Jaguar engine and gearbox replaced with the high-output 350 V8 and GM automatic gearbox from a crashed Chevrolet Impala police car. The bits bolted right in to the engine bay with an over-the-counter adapter kit from John’s Cars in Texas. The resultant car was infinitely faster, more reliable, cheaper to run, and I think even a fair bit lighter, plus it doubled the fuel economy.
My boss had a V-12 one in 1979. Royal blue.I was a truck driver. He threw me the keys and said take it down the freeway for half an hour son. It was quite a machine, so smooth and so beautiful. When I opened the bonnet for a look though it was a plumber's nightmare. A mass of tubes and wires. I was a pretty good backyard mechanic and had worked on old Jags with a mate, but the man who designed these never had to bloody work on them. Still, it had something special and I loved driving it.
I have 1989 V12 HE Auto in Bordeaux red for 23 years now. Bought by my father who was a pilot and accountant. Amazing comfort and effortless power. He also owned an E-Type, I can assure you the XJS is far easier to drive, quieter and a better ride. Buy a clapped out one and you will be very disappointed. Excellent fuel economy for a V12 if driven fairly. Wonderful design. Bullet proof V12 and gearbox. Electrics never been a problem. Original headlining replaced as began to drop down after 20 years. The key is owning one that is looked after.
I hate that the XJS is always given such a hard time. It was never designed as a direct replacement for the E-type anyway. I think they look great, especially the face lifted model like this. I also think they've stood the test of time much better than most other cars from this era. I think the rear buttresses look cool too.
I find it odd that the narrator says the XJS was not good-looking. I think they're gorgeous!
I always thought it was a good looking car but I like the 4 round headlights
@@mitchb2305 I think he's turning into Stevie Wonder!
Given the success of the E-Type, why didn't Jaguar make a direct E-Type replacement or evolution? Jaguar cancelling the E-Type is like Porsche actually cancelling the 911 for the 928, instead of merely considering doing that (before relenting and letting the 911 continue with -- in the interim -- a low development budget).
I’m sitting in an early one and it’s one of the best driving in cars ever. These are so quiet handle so well and there stupid cheap. It’s time for real car guys to start buying them and make them nice. Price out the cheap old farts that brag about how cheap they found an oil filter for.
All of these 70s era Jags need a common sense refurbishing and restomodding. It is a V12 GT car so I thinks it does that very well in the obvious Jag manner. The ride quality common among all classic Jags is endearing and enticing to me personally. I don't want to be beaten up or tossed about while enjoying my car - sure, performance biased suspensions are very nice but how often do you really exploit that ability. I want gobs of smooth, effortless power with a competent chassis that is enjoyable for the 95% of the time that most of us really apply. That's what a GT car does and the many versions that the various manufacturers executed did this in their own flavor and style. The XJS is one of my favorites from this era and I think they've aged very well.
i no longer drive - by choice - but i am 1000% with you. it was nice to hear someone express my sentiments exactly.
My late father bought a new British Racing Green, pre-HE V12 Coupe in 1981 as his daily driver. He enjoyed it for many years and well over 100K miles. It did have its fair share of of visits to the shop. As I recall it needed a couple of transmission rebuilds and one or two valve jobs. But that wasn't a big issue because he loved driving it so much. I will never forget the silky "turbine-like" smoothness of that engine or the suppleness of the ride. Trips from San Francisco down the coast to Monterey were a delight.
Haha a couple of tranny rebuilds no big deal 😳
My favorite color
If that car needed one or two engine rebuilds on under 200,000 miles your dad was being done when he got the car serviced.
@@supertuscans9512 The bottom end was never an issue, it was the valves and/or head gaskets that were the engine issue. I think the transmission issues were mostly due to his lead foot!
The XJS was a great car. I remember seeing them win the 1985 Bathurst 1000km race in Australia, when i was a kid. Beautiful to watch. The overall shape of the car is gorgeous, and they can STILL look super-hot if they have the right wheels & options/tweaks to bodywork.
Yep. The Jaguars at Bathurst opened eyes and surprised many at just how good it was.
On their second attempt they did. The U Tube video of Tom Walkinshaw behind the wheel of the XJS at Bathurst is one of my all time favourites.
I watched that race when i was a boy. Twenty years later I bought one. Still have it.
My dad had a 1983 Y reg 5.3HE V12. We travelled across Europe in it a number of times, it never let us down! Fantastic car, and as an 12 year old boy, it felt really quick, and super special to travel in.😊
Beautiful car
It's a very special experience to drive and be a passenger in a 5.3 liter XJS. So much power but like a Rolls-Royce in terms of quitenes and smooth ride. And because the centre of gravity is so low, they handle brilliantly. I was a driver so I know this as a fact.
They were really quick. Yeah, it wasn't going to compete with a Countach or a 512BB, but even today, at motorway speeds there isn't much outside of supercar territory that can live with the midrange punch of that V12 if you decide to put your clog down and enter 'not motorway speed' territory. It's still a torque monster.
What a treat to be able to ride in one of those contemporary XJSs. I loved sitting in my dads E30 325i and when I drove it I felt top of the world. In those days BMW only sold about 4 different saloons so they were comparatively rare, so an XJS was even more special.
I’d still have an XJS today. Don’t consider it a failure or dated in any way. Great looking cars.
I’ve got three and made them all different . One quiet , one loud screamer with x pipe Italian sounding v12 and one With quieter v12 sound . Adjustable suspension. Manual conversion next on one .
0-60 in 7.5 seconds ? My foot. The Jaguar XJS v12 HE of 1981/2 was the fastest automatic car in the world at the time . 158mph and 0- 60 in 6.8 secs or less. Car magazine drove one across Europe at a point to point average at 70mph and got 21mpg. As far as the handling department concerned , I’ve seen these being driven like a mk2 Escort RS2000 , from those who knew how, remember Gambit in the New Avengers?..I’ve said this before on Ian Tyrrells classic you tube channel as well as Harry’s Garage, the Jaguar V12 is the best production engine of all time . Although the straight six AJ6 versions are more simply accessible to work on . Nevertheless, enjoyed your video immensely, Jack . When I see a road test on TH-cam on the XJS it usually makes me wanting one . Your video certainly hasn’t failed on that level either, good show
had one for 5 years and when it worked it was glorious. the v12 was smooth and from the interior almost silent. there was almost no sensation of speed until you glanced at the speedo and realized how far over the limit you were , but it handled the corners without drama and could run fast all day long. at speed you could have a normal conversation no need to raise your voice. i miss it but not working on it or the fuel bills
Very nearly bought a non-running v12, but I thought better of it. Since watching Harry's Garage when he restored his xjc, which was a driving car, and how much it cost, I think I'm glad I passed it up!
@@danielkeel9265 Hiya.Yes I watch Harrys Garage and love that XJC but the recent video shows how much you need to spend on a jag V12 to keep it running on all 12.Absolute money pit.Shame but true.Walk well away and then start walking very fast.
Very true Fred! I also had a V12. It was like being attached to the horizon with a big elastic band!
I had a V12 89 model. I’ve had many other cars since then. This is the one that got away. We were a perfect match until that damn engine fire caused by the corroded fuel rail.
@@glennpowell3444 his running costs are also because he is using a specialist shop and their labor charges are not cheap. A home-garage mechanic can do a vast majority of the "typical" stuff and can do so relatively affordably.
I can’t work out how so many people misunderstand the Jaguar XJ-S. yes the XJ-S followed the E-type but it was never a replacement. It was never designed to be. It was always intended as an executive express. A GT car. All I can say is drive an XJ-S and you’ll be amazed. There’s nothing else that could hold a candle to it for refinement, and remember a V12 will genuinely do over 150mph due to its efficient aerodynamics. 15% better than an E-type. Also something else people forget is this car has genuine motorsport pedigree. Winning the 1984 European touring car championship. Putting several manufacturers noses out of joint in the process. Also an outright win at the 1985 Bathurst 1000. Why is the XJ-S not celebrated more? Because I think it deserves to be. A wonderful, individual and beautiful car.
You forget the success Jaguar had in America. That was its intended market. Over 50% of Jaguars sales was to America.
Racing and sales success. Group 44 won numerous national championships with the Jaguar V12. Winning against the Cobra Camaro, Corvette. And later Porsche, BMW. Etc.
But *why* didn't the E-Type get a direct replacement too? If you have a successful model why on Earth discontinue it? We know Porsche nearly cancelled the 911 in favour of concentrating on the 928, but eventually they decided against that (other iconic cars like the Corvette and Mustang have been produced continuously too, despite abandoned plans to cancel the Mustang and replace it with the Ford Probe).
In 2000 my family attended a Jaguar rally in the South Island of New Zealand. We took a 5.3 litre XJC along. We met a fellow who was a panel beater who built a new XJS from two damaged ones. The result was a beautiful car which worked well, he and his family loved it and they traveled all over New Zealand in it. Looking at the interior of this car they seem to have borrowed some of the XJ6 and XJC designs for the gear leaver and dashboard areas. Thank you for another great video. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
I think the XJ-S is a stunning car, beautiful 70s styling perfect for the era at a time when the 60s style was considered old fashioned. Every great 70s car looked totally different from the model before, it was a decade of huge change.
"60s style was considered old fashioned" Porsche 911? 🤔 The exception to the rule? It seems Porsche enthusiasts didn't complain about the car using the same basic glasshouse and doors all the way from 1964 to 1996. (If anything when it changed to contemporary 90s jellybean styling in 1997, Porsche enthusiasts complained more about that than about it not changing!)
@@TassieLorenzo there were far less porsche enthusiasts around in the 70s, they were going bankrupt, hence the 924 to appeal to the masses.
I'm 6 foot 2 and quite big. I fitted in fine - never felt cramped and drove all over Europe. Mine was a full facelift 1994. It never let me down. It was plenty swift enough and was beautiful. Yes, nobody ever really went in the back, and it was a reverse Tardis, but for two adults, it was amazing. I'd have kept it, if it hadn't have been written off because some drunk idiots decided to dance all over the bonnet, roof and boot. In 2005, it wasn't worth that much so the insurance company decided to call it a day. Very sad. To this day, I miss it. It drove impeccably and was, thirst aside, a perfect GT.
Easy mods to make dramatic improvements to the performance is to open up the intake and exhaust. Jag used ridiculously small intake and exhaust to cut engine noise. The airbox inlet "horns" should be removed and then pipe 3" hose to cold air, you will hear the engine pulling in air under full throttle but it is in no way an unpleasant sound. The tiny exhaust piping (7/8" if I recall correctly) should be increased to at least 1.25" pipe, I went with 1.5" pipe on mine. I also replaced the cats with modern high flow cats and removed the middle mufflers completely. Also installed X crossover in the exhaust and glass packs in place of the original resonators. The car woke up and performed very well. It also sounded fabulous under acceleration.
I regularly drove my uncles black V12 5.3 when I was 19. I remember being thrown the keys.. I turned the ignition but nothing happened, turned it again and realised the engine was already on.. so quiet.. then I couldn't find the hand brake - those who know will know what I mean - and finally, I'd never driven an automatic, never experienced power steering or brakes.. The thing was amazing. You cannot imagine the buzz - kid of 19 taking it down the pub, driving it around town, up to London. It was the ultimate Girl magnet and I am forever grateful!
The leaper on an XJ-S bonnet is sacrilege.
Glorious-looking car, especially the pre-'92 facelift version, without the XJ40-esque rear lamps.
These look far better in reality than on video.
Convert a 5.3 V12 to 5-speed manual and you'll have a real weapon.
Oddly enough, the facelift taillights are growing on me even though I own a pre-facelift HE and generally prefer it to the facelift styling changes.
@@jsquared1013
I was given a red 1977 XJ-S 5 years ago or so but it was too rotten for me to save.
I sold it for spares but in hindsight I wish i'd kept it now and taken it on as a long-term restoration.
Even though the sills were rotted out and the floorpan had some rust holes in it too it looked stunning on those kent alloys.
I keep having to remind myself that Harry Metcalf spent £53k restoring his V12 XJC
@@jsquared1013 Growing on you like a wart?
An elderly friend of ours would ask me to drive her xjs from time to time due to her age and the car just sitting there. It was an early 90s convertible. Lovely condition. I never got so many stares and thumbs up with any other car. It is not a car for somebody who doesn't like to talk to strangers at a gas station. It simply draws people. The V12 is so smooth, the long hood guides you down the road in style. Yes the interior is small but on a nice sunny day, hardly any issue. I have such fond memories of it. You just don't see them anymore on the roads and when you do, it is a magnificent classic.
I worked for a road test test cell supplier to Jaguar back then and was sent to Browns Lane about 1982 to check out an issue. I had to wait a few hours until the production line shut down so was free to wander around and watch the assembly process. When I returned to the test cells around 6PM after a pub dinner all three were in use with a number of managers and other staff standing around chatting. Two XJS V12 examples were running at a fixed road speed (on cruise control, no drivers) with blankets placed over the bonnets. A third was running without a blanket. I was was told they had several reports from Arizona of V12 engines seizing. After about 15 minutes nothing had gone wrong and they moved the 3 cars back into the production queue.
I have pre-facelift TWR coupe with a V12. It’s magnificent.
That gross Leaper has to go. Two bonnet badges on a car… 🤦♂️
(Side note: I’m in the midst of a reading Saving Jaguar, by 1980s Jag CEO John Egan. It’s terrific. I recommend it. The story of the XJ-S’s sales turnaround after ‘82 is astounding - they were considering cancelling the car, demand was so low, but things changed and its best year was ‘89, IIRC. I remember how popular this car was in 1989, when it was already 14 years old! My dad had an ‘87 and the neighbour liked it so much he bought an ‘88 for himself.)
I saw a leaper on a Daimler. M
It didn’t fail at all. It sold well, a lot better than zero. M
The AJ6 3.6 and 4.0 Litre engines are fantastically reliable and bombproof, smooth and powerful, the later AJ16 4.0 improved on those qualities.
@Mark
Rather have the AJ6 than a V12, which I also had.
After all these years it is still a head turner 🇦🇺👍
Best riding car I’ve owned. With better seat adjustment it would be a world beater in terms of comfort. Had mine 22years, done 46000 miles in her and never broken down in it. Parts are starting to get harder to source, but otherwise easy to maintain.
It's only managed what 2k miles a year😂
As an 11 year old in 1976, the white xjs used in the Saint with the black bumpers always looked much nicer than any E type😮
I agree! That's why I bought a white V12 XJ-S
You need to see specsavers
The E type was and is one of the ugliest cars.
as a kid, i promised myself i would own one and did in 1991 when I was 27. Bough an 1985 B plated V12 HE in white. took it on camping holiday to europe with wife and 2 kids, she did 19-21 mpg on that trip and never missed a beat, still i
miss her man
Ive had two XJS V12s, one a HE and the other a Pre HE, both were stunning and so easy to drive. The HE was the better car, more economical (😂) but who cares about that in one of these…One of the best cars ive owned. Great video Jack as usual 😊
I would love to own one of these cars I used to work and service them 25 years ago love driving them on road test great cars from a great British company
I don’t dare what is said about the Jaguar XJS it is still a stunning car that has one hell of presence on the road. I love them, as to the chassis the Jaguar XK8 and the Aston DB7 both used the same underpinnings, and that has to say something
I think it has aged well, it certainly looks better nowadays.
I agree bit like the Jenson interceptor it's always going to look good .
Beat me to it…
I agree,even the facelift version is great.
Saw xjs recently and was surprised at how well they aged. I was a teenager when the car was released and wasn't impressed. But now a more interesting car than the E type.
OK, Jack... I managed a Jaguar main dealer in the mid-'80s, so I have a bit of relevant knowledge/experience. While the E-type was a nimble, light feeling, fast SPORTS car, the S was heavy, mushy, cumbersome and not all that fast. It WAS a good GT car, if you fit in it, but headroom was always tight...and then we started getting cars with factory-fitted sunroofs. Goodbye to 1.5" of precious headroom! Mind you, this was a great motorway car: it would do 100mph hour after hour until they caught you at it, or you ran out of petrol. Gas mileage was never even adequate...and then there were the problems. I had three new cars burn to the ground because the factory guys hadn't snugged up the fuel lines sufficiently. And this was the John Egan era, when Jaguar quality control was much better. Also, most owners were staggered at the maintenance costs...and the mechanics HATED the cars because of all the gubbins in the way of performing regular operations. Yet, the owners who actually understood what the car would and would not do and could afford the servicing loved their cars. Grace, Pace & Space...OK, not so much space in the cabin, but the boot was big!
A good review. Like a beautiful woman, you love her so much that you don't mind spending a fair bit of money on her for the pleasure that you get.
Owners comments, I have an XJS 4.0L auto mk2.
I run a few cars and have owned hundreds to compare the car with.
I bought the XJS to fill a gap as a retro cruiser, for when taking a faster car out is not worth it and a modern one is too sensible.
It takes a few miles of use before the XJS starts to impress. You realise though it does handle and steer much better than one would expect. No roll, a less jiggly ride than modern cars, good brakes, direct steering into sweepers with good feed back.
Nothing exceptional except it does it with the charm of a classic but as capable as a modern luxury car.
Its just one of those cars you don't want to get out of.
The 4.0L is 4 speed not 3 as per the video, also it does pull well low down but you need to understand how the auto box operates.
It will cruise in a high gear (hence relaxed progress at lower rpm) unless you request a lower gear.
A quick press right down on the throttle signals the car to select a lower gear. Different from flooring it for max shove.
They have now past that 'dated jag' period and it gets a lot of positive attention from both young and old.
Just a really elegant way to go out for lunch and surprisingly capable when you move from waft pace to pressing on.
When I was 10 in 1999 my dad went to look at a red V12 XJS. I begged him to buy it but he never did. He must have chickened out, now I'm older I respect his decision 😂. I think these are now starting to look really elegant and are now a true classic
Elegant is the word 🙂
For me, the XJS, especially the later iterations, was THE most beautiful car ever produced in the UK. Some may disagree, but I've always had a soft spot for its sleek looks, it's stance, and it's grace. It could have a 2.5L inline 4, and that wouldn't change my opinion of it being the car that I always wanted to own more than any other, even if it was a little cramped inside.
It was like no other Jaguar, and showed real vision about what a British car manufacturer could produce, and the talent that existed at Jaguar at the time. And they were BRAVE to bring this car to the market, given the oil crisis, and the fact that it looked so far removed from anything else at that time.
It was a TRULY unique car, and has never been repeated since.
Long live the XJS ❤️
To me, the XJS will always be one of Jaguars greats - a really stylish and sleek grand tourer that's just so fitting for the brand. I also would consider it a success as it was primarily in its early years - post-oil crisis and with BL "quality" - that it failed to sell as expected. In the mid 1980s, after sales improved XJS had its best years and was at its best, with better quality but still the original styling.
Totally agree on the FIAT Dino coupé comment, nailed that. I owned a 5.3 HE and a 6.0 convertible and loved them both. The 5.3 ate my pocketbook alive, but that was my fault for buying a car with more issues than I realized. I love the flying buttresses and long sleek hood. The car was so quiet on a long trip from San José, CA to L.A., CA.... I was running with a trio of Nissan Maximas for a time nearing sunset. My wife noticed and asked if they were still following us, I replied, "Oh no, their top speeds are limited" she commented, "I see, so how fast are you going?" I smiled, "145mph" 🙂Surprisingly quick/fast car. I've moved on to Maseratis now, but have fond memories of my V12 Jaguars.
The Jag V12 is a great engine, Short stroke so it's turbine smooth, Thrives on revs and sounds gorgeous 👍
I don't care what negative comments people make about the XJS, as soon as I saw the white XJS in Return Of The Saint as a kid, I fell in love with the car. Still love to own one.
Hang on, they couldn't give E Types away at the last years of production with woeful production numbers and very dated and unrefined, not being great when new.
Buttresses were for structural reasons, US market was going to ban convertibles, so cabriolet was the way to go....this still caused issues with the proposed XJS as monocoque stiffness was so poor.
Two year waiting list up to 79 on XJS.
2:39 The wird design of the rear, was also to provide a large and easy access to the trunk.
If you look at any Jaguar, the trunk was always designed to allow putting two golf bags
in longitudinal direction without having to remove any clubs or the side rolling mechanism.
Love the XJS. My favourite Jag.
I think people just couldn't get over it looking so different to the etype. Don't forget the series 3 etype was a bit of a bloat machine & didn't even look that great by then.
I still struggle to see how there was not a model generation between them. Not knocking the E its an icon but this is more of a proper car. Look at those tiny toy doors on the etypes you can just step over them and the radial tyres its just all round an old car. This is a proper car you get into with proper doors.
@@bensmithkent22 " This is a proper car you get into with proper doors." But people actively *want* the coach-built wannabe (actual?) GT race car look of the E-Type, don't they? The (numerous) E-Types look perfectly in place in historic sportscar racing amongst "more exotic" multi-million dollar Ferraris and Porsches and the like. The E-Type fettled by Adrian Newey supposedly has a quite a few (perfectly legal) tweaks on it!
Aside from the genuine Group A cars, there don't seem to be as many XJS race cars as E-Type ones, as (perhaps) it is not worth spending $30,000 on a racebuilt Jaguar V12 for a XJS that's only worth $40,000-60,000 (at best) anyway? To be fair, there are quite a lot of XJSes in the Jaguar club racing series in the UK, but a lot of these are a little "tatty", don't have 450-550hp V12 motors in them (close to standard instead?), and are perhaps not to the same standards as the E-Types?
For whatever reason, the E-Type is the much more desirable classic (on average). It doesn't make sense why Jaguar didn't evolve it into another generation(s) like the Corvette or 911.
I loved the look of this car growing up. It was sleek and sporty looking. It was not until I began hearing negative things about them that I understood the difference between the E-Type and the XJ platform. Those in the burgundy or green paint with cream color leather are just amazing.
The TWR Jags at Bathurst were amazing
A small fact to note. The X21 concept you showed was by Oliver Winterbottom, who left Jaguar a little while later and moved to Lotus.
My all-time favourite car - and one I finally got to drive last year - a V12, and it didn’t disappoint! Pre-HE in a solid colour for me please!
My friend let me borrow his. It was the most glorious, most exciting car I have ever driven
I've had two XJS 5.3 liter V12 Coupes and I am a huge fan of the car. I find them handsome and luxurious ... I'm 5'10" so they fit me well. I can still smell the leather interiors! I'm presently looking for a 1995 or '96 6.0 liter V12 Coupe.
A pal had a pre HE V12. Lovely ride, very cramped, as you found and terrible fuel consumption of about 12 MPG. It's quite surprising, engine cc difference taken into consideration, that this 4 litre straight six has a dearth of torque low down, as I think that the V12 had a much shorter stroke. If one had access to a nice private oilfield, the final 6 litre V12 would be the one to have.
Was there ever a V12 of this era that did much more than 12 miles a gallon.
I’m not even sure today that V12’s do much more.
It didn't fail...... The best contemporary, and now classic Jaguar. TWR still selling somewhat 'upgraded' versions today. Take a look. Gorgeous cars then and now!
I literally just did a video on the new TWR.. take a look
@Number27 Thanks.... yes..... watched it. If I could justify having one I would....just amazing! I had a six litre in the early/mid 2000s. Miss it now like crazy!
Never liked the E-Type that much, but the 70's looks of this 70's Jaguar makes it a beautiful car. I don't understand how people can say it fails in that department.
Looks shit
Also at 12:15 Jack talks about "the three speed box" which is incorrect. The V12 did have a three speed transmission (GM TH400) but this car with the 4.0L AJ6 engine would have the 4spd ZF 4HP24 automatic gearbox.
I'm pretty sure that the 4l cars had a 4 or 5 speed auto depending on year. The V12's came with a 3 speed auto until 94 and then went to a 4 speed auto in 94 with the 6l motor. You should drive a 6l car.
I owned an XJS V12 HE for a few years. I loved that car. The first time I took it in to the mechanic, he put it on his dyno and said it was the most powerful, fasted XJS he has ever seen. As with 99.9% of Jags, it leaked oil from places where it would have cost more than the car was worth. Had to replace the AC compressor, but that was it. All else as normal upkeep. The car ran and rode like a dream. I took it up to 165MPH once and the car was still pulling when I lifted my foot. I sold it for what I paid for it. Total cost of ownrship for about 4 years was less than $2K (not counting gas).
I saw one of these recently on the road. It was red, looked immaculate, and had the registration number something like P15 XJS which I thought was cool. It looked amazing tbh.
That would be one of the last. P60 XJS is the very final XJS built.
The British motor industry came out of the 1940’s in great shape. The transition from military to civilian industry gifted the likes of Jaguar access to cheap materials, facilities and technology. The workforce was lean, fit, well-trained and disciplined. The competition (in Germany at least) was in tatters. The UK government was busy blowing the proceeds of the Marshal fund on vanity projects (and a distracted British government means unhindered British innovation).
By the time the XJS appeared, the playing field was very different. The German motor industry had transitioned from meeting basic needs to creating desirable objects… the prudent investment of Germany’s (much smaller) share of the Marshal money was beginning to bear fruit. The British government was meddling, with predictable results. Money was leaking away all over the place and the asking price reflected this.
The price comparison in GBP is trivial - the UK motor industry needs export sales. In the 70’s and 80’s, success depended on the USA and it was necessary to be very good in order to get a decent share of that wealth.
The series 1, and 2 e-type is an incredibly beautiful car, and never has anything even got close to replicate it, to me, when it went to the V12, it became a monster, and ugly, but we all see stuff differently
I don't think the ability to move around as you say means comfort on a long journey. Race car drivers go long distance and they are basically stuck tightly in place. They are comfortable.
I never liked the XJS when it was sold new (and I was a lot younger). I thought it was a barge, ugly and of dubious quality at that. 6 minus for Jaguar. Could do better....
Now, many years on, it has grown on me massively. I must have had no taste or eye for beauty when I was younger. I think it is fantastic and the looks have stood the test 9f time.
Thank for the video and finding this beautiful example. Thank for the work you put in. It shows!
I've just mentioned very similar
I'm 6' 2". I had a 3.6. I loved it. Economy of the 3.6 is very good for size and weight. Just expensive to service. Sold my 3.6 from 1987 in 2004 with just 52k miles in, it was in beautiful condition, NO rust at all.
Funny how a car when it was first launched I thought looked terrible, now looks terrific to me 😊
Feel the same!!
@@Number27 I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen, in the flesh. My uncle had one, and it was so incredibly exotic when you actually saw one in real life - especially with that early pre-HE aluminium dashboard.
But all the real ale drinkers and pipe smokers didn't like it one bit - it was too 'modern'. They compared it to the E-type, which was ridiculous - like comparing an MGB V8 to a Rover SD1 V8. They were just not aimed at the same market.
@@MrVinylista "They compared it to the E-type, which was ridiculous" But Porsche didn't make the mistake of actually cancelling the 911 for the 928, they only considered it. So those who weren't won over by the 928 could still buy the traditional 911. Why didn't Jaguar continue the E-Type or make a direct replacement alongside the newfangled XJS? 🙂
I loved the XJS from the moment I first saw one in The Return of the Saint. I'd still love to own one of the last of the line ones just before production stopped. The final facelifts really suited it.
Coincidentally, "Living With A Classic" is immersed in in an XJS, converting it from RHD to LHD.
Good luck!!
A very good looking iconic 80's car!
I remember watching Rodger Moore as a kid driving in The Saint driving, a white XJS ❤
Absolutely lovely! I love the XJS and they are such a great classic buy right now. I’d take that dodgy leaper off the bonnet of that one though.
Good report Jack. Nice film running a nice example (owned a 94 4L Coupe for 16yrs)
My friends Dad had a 3.6 Manual, it was a beast!
Nah, it was just built by Roberts, instead of robots! :P
The 928 was (and still is!) a far superior car.
3:27 - A classic 1960s interior in a 1990s car + horribly tight passenger compartment.
3:54 - Cheap-ass black plastic garbage switches juxtaposing the 1950s wood grain.
4:44 - I love the way the wing mirrors look like they were stolen from a different car.
Why do people insist on fitting the Leaper from an earlier era to these cars? It looks wrong and is just waiting to impale any pedestrian unfortunate enough go over the bonnet. I wonder what the attitude of the law would be to such an injury. I drove a V12 in the late seventies for a while and it was fabulous, if badly put together.
Fabulous video, Jack. Your easy manner and knowledgeable narration is a delight and I always look forward to your motoring reviews, no matter the car. Bravo.
Unless you fact checked everything how do you know it was knowledge based and not just ignorant opinion?
I had a 1978 one for a while, I never saw the point of it when for less money one could have an XJ12 coupe with better looks, better accommodation, and the same performance. It went well, and gave me no trouble though; more than could be said for the Mercedes 450slc that succeeded it.
The XJ12 Coupe looked like an old mans car from inception and a bastardised version of a nice looking practical car. If yoy have four seat your want four holes to access them from.
I'd love an XJC Coupe but it did have problems unfortunately; the door seals weren't very good and ket in water when it rained.
100%, it always looked like an old man’s car trying not to.
I don’t think it matters now what people thought when the XJS was first released. Recognition has slowly been growing and now many people appreciate the outstanding design and qualities of the XJS, in comparison to its contemporaries and to most modern vehicles.
The true replacement for the E-Type would have been a road-going version of the XJ13 race car prototype. As an E-type owner in the early 1970s, that was what I was hoping for.
In a sensible world, the XJS should have been an additional model. The E Type needed to evolve in the same way that the 911 did. Was it simply stupidity on behalf of the directors at Jaguar? The XJS definitely improved over the years. A good one like this is still very special. Great vid again Jack, as always.
Many people forget, by the end of road and track posting cannonball times, the fastest time was a XJS.
I will probably never own one, especially the Version touched by koenig specials which haunts my dreams, but I appreciate them non the less
I had an 82 XJS (12 Cyl), a 62 E type and a 93 XJ6 VDP with the 6 Cyl engine he talks about. (I also had a Mk 10, an XK 140 FHC and an X Type.) The XJS was an "A to B Whoosh". A review at the time said the hardest part of driving the XJS was getting the stereo volume set right. The E Type was a sports car, mechanical, visceral and involving to drive. The only electrical thing was the clock and it never worked. The XJS he tested with the 6 cyl similar to the VDP had would have made a nice car. A friend of mine bought my 93 VDP and still uses it today as a daily driver. The 6 was the last "real Jaguar" engine and very reliable. The only things that ever failed on the XJS were the American Delco A/C and GM transmission.
I think you have view this car as NOT a replacement for the E-Type… and in fact rid your mind of any E-type comparisons. It then starts to have an appeal all of its own.
The XJS never failed. It wasn't an E Type replacement and yes it was a shock design, much like the outgoing XJ which is truly hideous to me. The XJS, was a grand tourer, not a sports car.
Jaguar in the 1970's and into the 1990's suffered quality issues from employees and suppliers and it these issues that caused "failures". And let us not forget, no car is perfect and other brands suffer quality and reliability issues too.
Having owned two V12 XJS's, I can reliably say that my 6'2" frame was always comfortable when driving. Good video of a great car!
"And let us not forget, no car is perfect" The Lexus LS400 does have very, very few defects though. It's all about modern production equipment (something Jaguar struggled with until Ford), being extremely demanding on suppliers to supply parts strictly to spec and reject all parts even slightly out-of-spec (e.g., 30 microns out? in the scrap metal bin it goes -- something most automakers other than Toyota and Honda still don't do, they seem to be more interested in awarding the deal to the cheapest tender), and extremely meticulous engineering and engineering for production (i.e., the production engineering should be such that's it's impossible for assembly workers to make mistakes, the Japanese concept of "poka-yoke" mistake proofing).
Most people don't realise but the XJS chassis was the basis for the DB7.🤔🤔🤔
It's not so unknown, as you can see Jaguar written in the brake calipers. My XJR-S has been fitted with DB7 racing suspension. Works well.
I was at Radford Road asa draughtsman just pre launch, there was a wearhoue full of completed v12 motors all fitted with 2 solex carbs per bank. Our DO was next to the photo studio we all sat in a pre prod xjs 1 lunch time
What a shame it droned all the way along its test ride....awful noise. Great Car in any guise if just left standard.
This car is legendary in Australia due its victory in the Bathurst 1000 in 1985. What a race!
There is a TH-cam video of a lap of Bathurst in the racing XJS. Awesome!
I remember seeing one in Miami, it was new and they had added chrome wheel trims and chrome wheel arches. It was white and sat outside a hotel. Never mind overheating and all that, it looked fantastic. No American or German can could match it. And of course compared to an SL it was very cheap.
I had a V-11 one for a short while , never did discover which cylinder was missing, but honestly, you could hardly tell !
The fuel bill was keeping me poor, so I unloaded it onto someone else for about £600 which was a fair price at the time.
For comparison, I bought a V-8 Stag for £850, did a bit of work on it and sold it for £1300 around the same time.
I think a brace of
A 60's jenson interceptor FF
70's jaguar xjs v12
80' porsche 928 s4
Would be nice in my lottery garage.
I LOVE the look of these things inside and out. I borrowed an XJS-R with the 6cyl for a weekend wanted one ever since. I'm sure it's not the best to live with, but from what I experienced, it was a fantastic GT.
Another great video Jack!
I’ve always loved the XJS and definitely my favourite car as I grew up during the late 70’s and 80’s. I couldn’t wait to watch The Saint with Ian Ogilvy on a Sunday evening just to see a few minutes of his white XJS. The XJS and the Triumph TR7 were my favourite cars back then! 👌
It needs the air mixture adjusting the co mixture and it will pick up much better
Errr, if that's a facelift car, it should have a 4-speed ZF autobox, I think the kickdown is broken in that one.
Yes your right
Once again you've made be appreciate a car I had always turned my nose up at. The lines have aged well, and I'll bet the V12 was very sweet to drive. All the automatic transmissions in those days were sloppy, but more and more car buyers wanted convenience over performance. Thanks again.
Hi Jack, great piece, during which you showed a picture of the E type Coupe. It got me thinking, it has never occurred to me before. There is a distant shape similarity to the 911. I thought that Porsche, through 8 iterations have kept the 911 shape and yet Jaguar felt the need to completely change the shape and double the price. Why?
Yep, it's poor product planning isn't it? Porsche *were* going to cancel the 911 in favour of the 928, but eventually they (smartly?) backed out of that and let the 911 continue ticking along through the 80's with minimal changes and a low development budget (until focus returned to the 911 once the 928 was canclled). Why didn't Jaguar keep the E-Type line going alongside the XJS?!
[To be fair, the four iterations of the 911 on the Ur-911 chassis all have the same glasshouse and doors -- 911, 911 SC, 964, 993; so inevitably they will all be roughly the same shape because it's the same basic chassis!]
Thanks Jack. You've driven the car I'm most interested in. Sorry you didn't get the chance to drive the V12. You might be surprised what a deep and passionate following the XJS has (though it hasn't been big enough to sustain all of the cars produced - thus so many have rotted away.)
It's a solace to us on the rest of the world that you have troubles prononciating Jaguar, too.
😂😂😂😂😂 I do!! But shouldn’t being based in the Uk!
It's pronounced Yag-Waar in South America where the Jaguar lives.
@@Number27 OK - you are allowed to say giaguaro
I've got a G reg XJS and I've had it on the road for over 20 years. Mine has the 3.6 litre engine with FUEL INJECTION so it has returned 35 MILES PER GALLON since I've had it.
Just after I bought my XJS I was presented with a situation on the road where I needed to be anywhere else FAST. I KICKED DOWN on the throttle and my XJS accelerated to safety. I looked down and the speedo was starting to come down past 120 mph.
This car accelerated so much faster than any car I have ever owned, so much that it got me out of the way of another road user causing problems safely.
Like I said at the beginin, I have now owned this car for over 20 years and I hope it will see me out.
Now that you've just tested a late XJS, I suggest you try an early DB7, interesting experience, trust me! ;-)
I'd rather have the XJS the aston is a pile of crap. Lovely looking that's about it.
I drove a number of these during the 80s and 90s and enjoyed them immensely.
More than quick enough, refined and no mechanical issues at all.
The 5.3 V12 was a joy to drive except when it came to fuel consumption.
One of mine had a factory installed body kit and twin headlamps which totally altered the look of the car for the better.
Not so long ago you could pick up a late one of these for £5K, now a good one is £15k. The facelift models are a very different kettle of fish to the antique grandfather clocks that were driving about in the late 80's, Ford money had seen to the build quality issues with galvanised bodies and aircraft grade electrics.
Shame they got rid of the lovely, original Lear jet-inspired instrument binnacle, though!
Getting out is when you realise just how special as the noise of the workd comes back as you climb over the lower door sill. Such a beautiful car to drive .
In 1985 3 Jaguar XJS's were entered into the James Hardie 1000 Bathurst race in Australia for the first and only time. They all finished the race with 2 podium finishes, 1st and 3rd.
Wow, I hope there's video of that! (film)
I have had an XJS for 20 years, it is a fabulous machine. It is a 1990 XJRS 6.0 V12 in signal red with magnolia interior so has the spolier body kit package that TWR developed in the 1990s but being a Jaguarsport vehicle is an official model. Cost 44,000 quid in 1990 so was the most expensive jag sold in the showrooms.
There is something sublime in the V12, it is so silky smooth and powerful, 315bhp not being huge by modern standards but it can hustle the Jag to 60 very quickly and on to 160mph (only tried 160mph once, scary). The GM400 transmission has an altered vaccuum modulator from the factory so shifts are sharp, the springs and steering rack are changed so the handling is sharp and quick.
The interior is the sublime XJS blend of leather and wood and chrome. Very comfy on a long trip. There is a Momo steering wheel on this model.
After 20 years it now appears positively small alongside the SUVs of today.