Home movies... a bit rough around the edges, the odd awkward silence that goes on for one or two beats too long, inexplicable shots inserted at random, all very obviously unpolished and about as slick as a sheet of corrugated iron. Bit like the bloke making them, but, in my opinion, exactly what I think most of us want when watching TH-cam videos about cars - honest, uncompromising, unpretentious and directly to the heart of the matter. Thank you Mr Harris.
Back to his pre Top Gear ways, Chris Harris and Jason Cammisa should be 'required watching' to show how to do the job properly, without all the fawning and sucking up to manufacturers and sponsors.
@@mikedockal8978they do. Best to pick a car you like from 20-30 years ago and drive it while doing a rolling restoration. If the car and mechanicals are solid it will last for a long long time. Probably until regulation forces us to forgo car ownership
Absolutely hilarious 😂😂 laugh out funny. I'm watching this project closely as I'm a big fan of Jaaaaags. I remember being in the back of one of these in the late eighties and the drivers prostitute for the night was sat on my lap, good times.
I'm having quite a hard time lately with my father's health, and this video made me laugh and enjoy what I love, friends, banter and cars. Fantastic stuff Chris, thank you.
A couple of years ago I got a pang to tinker on a classic again, and I went out and bought an XJS. The idea was to find one, do some work on it and flip it. I knew nothing about them, except that I'd always loved the shape, and that it had to be a manual. I overpaid for one on Ebay, rented a car in Scotland, and drove down with a mate, to Nuneaton to pick it up. Needles to say when I saw the thing, I should of walked away. Photos and description were misleading to say the least. I offered the bloke a grand less than the auction price, mainly because we had already handed back the rental. He begrudgingly accepted, I begrudgingly paid him, and we left. But then something happened on the drive back up to Scotland. In anger I started to push it, thinking if this 'turd' was gonna break, it was gonna break on the way home. Nothing happened. I pushed harder. Still nothing happened. We were doing between 100 and 120 by the time we got to Glasgow. Temp never moved. Oil pressure stayed right in the middle of those funky gauges. Alternator was bang on. From Glasgow to Edinburgh, on the M8, I was starting to feel like a BOSS,. Flashing my lights and overtaking the kind of people that flash their lights to overtake! Except this car was a very comfortable 1987 banger, and wasn't supposed to be doing this. By then we'd probably also shed a few kg's in rust, and the power to weight ratio had improved exponentially. After crossing the Forth Road Bridge I decided to take the back roads towards St Andrews, and this is where the XJS really shone. Effortly handling the bends with a comfort I'd never experienced in any other classic. By the time I'd reached Fife I'd decided she was a keeper. The best classic car, to this day, I've ever owned. Thanks Chris, and friends, for finally doing the xjs justice. Because I've frustratingly watched V12 after V12 after 3.6 auto reviews here on TH-cam, shouting at the screen saying "DRIVE A FK'N MANUAL!". Arguing with people in the comments sections about it not supposed to have been a sports car like the E-type!! It was designed as a grand tourer with sporting underpinnings, a bulletproof factory 24valve 6 cylinder, 5 speed stick shift with an LSD, and I can't wait to see you turn it into the sports car they've been bemoaning all these years, shut the XJS critics up, and lay the whole thing to rest. Amen Yours Truly Anthony Baiocchi & Malcolm Sayer
Good on yer! I ahve had a 1990 XJRS 6.0 for 20 years and it is a bit lower, a bit stiffer, a bit more power, sharper steering etc and it all comes together. A wonderful british muscle car. What I have always wanted is a manual box. Now about 5 grand to get a proper conversion. Saving up.
I don't usually comment on videos but I absolutely had to on this one. Absolutely love this format! Nice and simple down to earth, everything you need without the bullshit. Keep it like this Chris
Genuinely good job incorporating Top Gear humor. I felt like I was watching an old episode, before it became a global phenomenon, the period that made it into a global phenomenon. Praise for a car video doesn't get much higher. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the old girl and any other automotive adventures you're kind enough to share.
I was a fan of the XJS since Ian Ogilvy was in Return of The Saint, driving his white V12 (if I remember correctly.) My late twin brother had a dream of rebuillding an XJS as a project car when he retired. Unfortunately, he died last year before he could realise that dream. So this video about such a classic car meant a lot to me.
Mee to. Grew up with the saint . Always associated Ian Ogilvy with the white Jaag. I didn't actually know what kind of car the Saint drove until much older. .. I do believe the Saint drove a Volvo P1800 before the Jaaaag..
As someone who has lusted after an XJS since they were eight years old, I'm both happy and sad that the car is getting so much love at the moment as it drives the price of these up. Hope to own one some day.
@@colin5577if you can stomach the extra doors, you might as well go for an equivalent XJ sedan/saloon; the driving experience is pretty much the same, but their values rarely seem to go up except for the extreme outliers in conditions and specification.
I think the prices going up has to do more with the price of everything going up and the XJS being old enough to where there´s not many left in at least somewhat reasonable condition.
I’ve lusted after them since young as well, researching them convinced me the chronic headaches couldn’t be justified even with the $2-3kUS prices that were common for so long. A manual would be a longer consideration but still.
Not usually comment on a video but this one is pure joy to watch it.Previous summer bought a 1994 ex California 4.0 convertible manual and brought it back from London to Greece, Thessaloniki,God what a GT it is....puts me a big smile every time i am driving it!!!
1:45-1:48 - The way that bloke on the street watches that Jag go by... I _felt_ that. Heart-achingly gorgeous, this car. And, not a very common sight, even on UK roads, I presume.
An actual head turner lmao I swear I see more of these abandoned in driveways than on the road, or even at a show. Suprising as they're pretty cool cars.
I love my xjs had it for over 22 years now, you can see it bombing up the M5 from weston to bristol fairly regularly (if not too wet as it leaks and steams up just like this one lol) makes me smile 🤪
Hey, at 64 and a car perve since about 68 when my truck driving father pointed out an AR GTV & later purchased on my behalf, first car, a Fiat 1100, have always wondered why the XJ-S was not more coveted? Seems like yours and other outrageous efforts will finally show it it’s due. Bravo Mr H. (Still hankering for my first911).
The presentation bit was brilliant. How is it that the BBC is not able to create something similar in spirit and popularity to classic TG? This would be a perfect pilot of such a show. Just quintessentially British men mocking about with some cars. That is all that is needed.
This sort of stuff is deemed old gammon TV. That is why the BBC don't do it. If you look at all the comments the bulk of them are all from men of a certain age. This is not the BBCs target audience.
@ I am 25😂 But in all seriousness, I have many friends that grew up watching Top Gear, who sorely miss the show. I am sure there would be a young audience.
Great video Chris! Can't wait to see what you do with the old Jaaaag! Love the color - really suits it and the six is a great engine, especially with the manual 'box - a lot less complicated and more fun than the 12 with auto. Greetings from one of your Caterham drifting students many years ago (I did the 981 exteriors)!
When I was in my 20's I had a 1984 SIII XJ6 4.2. It was waftability at it's finest. Like driving your living room around. Nothing really mattered beyond 30-40mph becuase that's all you ever really had the urge to drive at. It was the anithesis of road rage as it was so soothing that it even kept a youth from ragging around. You're right, we don't make cars like this any more, they all need to set lap times around the Nurburgring and have rubber band tyres that bubble at the first pothole you hit.
Chris . Back in the early '90's l bought ......no , stole an early V12 for £100 . It was not a shed and having my local Jaguar specialists give it a health check it was very sound . I had occasion to drive it back from Exeter to Teignmouth . I was having a shit time in my life . There was one corner that few drove above 70mph (my father in fact crashed his XJ6 at 70 mph at this very corner ) l decided that as l was surrounded by a very robust body that stood me at a £100 l was prepared to take that same corner at 120 + , not only did it acheive that mark , l genuinely concluded it could have easily and comfortabiy exceeded that speed .......what a car ! A car l initilally doubted but became to love and respect . ❤
Chris is my favorite of all time. I owned a 1989 XJS V12. And I have to honest…if you see one in the flesh…just take in the body style? It is absolutely stunning! Especially parked among other vehicles. Put some respect on the Jaguar XJS..one of Great Britain 🇬🇧 greats!🙌🏽
Chris has an absolutely magnificent growler. It may require a bit of tidying, it may smell slightly of neglect- but, once you slip inside it’s a real treat.
Watching this video and remembering back to the many Jaguars I was fortunate enough to ride in or drive through the 80’s & 90’s really show us how far the brand has fallen. XJ6’s were exquisite things here in the states, XJS were stunning and when my friends bought a rare US spec XJS with the 3.8 and a 5 speed, well it was heaven! What Jaguar has lost will likely never be recovered and that’s a shame.
Had a 89 G reg 3.6 auto in burgundy - absolutely loved it - could kick down at well over 100mph and it would still pin you back in the seat and onto 140 mph ( clock) - great cars - the 3.6 is the best motor of them all imho . Will be watching this with interest.
There is a moment in this film Chris, that first lap with the Jag being that unexpected drift puppy 🐶, that is just superb. The genuine reactions from recent films such as this and the one with Francis, that just reasonate so well. Its not a brilliant beautifully scribed article, as I morn for lost car mags, but its the next best thing. Thank you
I've always been a fan of Chris from his TG stint but that film with Francis was a bit of a turning point for me to see his genuine enthusiasm and I've been hooked on his vids since. To be fair it was there on TG too but somehow supressed.
People don’t realise what good handling cars these were when really pressed, the anti dive wheel geometry and balance were very good , they could of course , waft around like a limousine, but they are in a class of their own .
Nearly two decades of following this true petrolhead and I can't begin to tell how long I have waited for sth like this to be produced by Chris. I hate the way we are fed how good these modern active suspension and steering systems are at hiding the vast mass of a new car. Yes they performe outstandingly on medium grip tarmac and when its raining and for fast driving the tires can cope on dry tarmac with a new 2.4 tonne rocketship for up to 20 minutes untill they are shredded no matter how good the michelin s4 tire is. In an Estonian climate where there could be 2 weeks- 2months of ice driving in winter season waiting to be enjoyed on b roads I always pick the non studded tire since in 5-6 month period the climate can warm up within a couple of days and Personally I like to stick with the old cars because of lower weigt an skinnier tires that create much more pressure per square inch for their lack of weight and give superior control in less than perfect conditions. Since all ice and snow has melted I now have an inevitable urge to play forza motorsport 4 and slightly improve handling in a 1977 aston martin v8 vantage since it comes closest to this jag and maintain comfort and tire departure rates pretty much the same without stiffening the car too much but lightening it and giving it slightly higher cam profile. I always feel that with these projects like my non fictional and totally real 1996 4x4 ford mondeo turnier manual the performance of the car can only be elevated if the comfort is still not affected by fitting sophisticated dampers, still soft springs but higher rebound and poor condition driving capabilities left unharmed
It’s incredible just how happy this looks being driven like that. It’s not lurching about, it’s not bouncing or wallowing, visibly at least. What a machine!
Another great video, thanks Chris. I owned a v12 xjs back in the late 90's and drove it to the Le Mans 24hr in 1999. So many locals stopped to watch it pass and kids waved as we drove towards the circuit. Happy days. Loved every minute spent driving it... even at a gallon of fuel each way to work... and still hanker after another. Will enjoy watching this Project Growler as it develops.
I bought an identical spec G-reg out of nostalgic curiosity and boredom at modern homogeneous digi-plastic 4-wheeled marketing suites. And the SMILE says it all 😊 Beautiful to drive, look at, be in and smell. Mostly. Big up the growler! And yes, wet roundabouts are scary fun..
Loving the series! The XJS is a lovely beast. My late father had a concours winning 86 with the V12. When he passed a decade or so ago, sadly, I was in no position to take over custodianship. Eventually, a gentleman in Sweden bought the car, and it was shipped from Canada to Europe. I think about my father daily and always wonder how his lovely XJS is fairing in Sweden. Look forward to future episodes. 🇨🇦🇬🇧
I had a (new) XJ40 in 1990. Everybody thought it was just a big old land-yacht, but the handling was absolutely brilliant. I used to amuse myself by handbrake turning it out of the golf-club car park. Once you’d loaded up the suspension in a turn, it was completely controllable using whatever combination of throttle/ steering/ brake you fancied.
When i was a kid in northern Canada, I lived in cul-de-sac and the neighbor 3 houses down had an old car in champagne colour. It wasn't till I was older I realized it was an E-type Jag. But the XJS was the car I first loved from Jag.
I just love the knowledge and your chat Chris….you just have a passion which these videos bring out in spades….So much so I have begun the search for an XJR 308.
Chris. You belong on You tube mate! You had my missus and I in stitches. I've got an early mint 4.2 XK but have always loved the old XJS. The straight sixes are probably a whole lot more practical for the average owner so good choice matey. Keep up the good work and looking forward to seeing how this project develops 👍
Chris gave it his all to make sure he doesn’t get an invitation to drive the new Jag when it arrives, and I support it fully. Excited to follow the journey of this project and see it shred some more rubber!✌🏻
I've been eyeing up 996s the past few months, but this video has thrown a total curveball. These cars look so good now and I love seeing them being thrown around a track sideways! Grrrrr
Love the tone of the low key Jaguar marketing take-down. This is a fantastic episode, Chris you are perfectly on track figuratively as well as literally.
Love the XJS, you don't understand until you drive one, you'd be happy to drive it all day long. True passion for it from Chris and the team, nice to see 💪🏼
I love it. So very beautiful. My dream cars are a manual Porsche 928, and a manual Jag XJS. Unfortunately we never got manual XJS's here in the US. Thank you.
Look at that steering rack. My mother had a 79 XJ6 she bought in like 1988/89. That car was a complete headache, but when it was running correctly (rarely) it was fun. I learned how to drive in that car
“Okay, it’s one the greatest drift cars ever made”, that really made me chuckle. You really have a great way with words and a quick very dry sense of humour.
Hilarious to see an old XJS do this on track great bit of filming. I had a V12 auto the same age and colour as this one could never have imagined getting it to oversteer round the track it never felt capable of such fun antics.
We had an old 1970s XJ6 with a floppy headlining… I pinned it up with little silver headed pins in a random pattern.. and when they began to fall out, I put a little bit of superglue on them so they would stay stuck in. It looks fantastic and took about half an hour.
I had the pleasure to drive a XJS 5:3 V12 HE in 1984 for a weekend around Brighton, I have never been in a car since with such a beautiful ride. It drank like Oliver Reed, getting 10.1 mpg around Brighton. A truly majestic experience and car.
Yeah that American 3 speed automatic certainly knows how to waste fuel around town. It'll do about 20mpg on the open road. Really though it needs a better gearbox.
The timing of this old Jag project is perfect. I've always had a passing like of these cars, it's great to hear that they're actually good. I'm straight onto the classifieds.
TWR Jaguarsport XJR-S 6.0l chassis set up would be perfect for you. We toured and tested the development cars through Europe and North America and throughly loved them, great tools.
An 88 XJS V12 was my first car back in highschool circa 2003 and I loved it. Having a V12, even an old one made me something of a legend. If you're updating it for the love of God work on the horrible Lucas electrics wiring. Most of my problems were electric.
I have a 1992 V12 coupe with a 5 speed manual conversion and a freer flowing exhaust. I don't have any other engine mods as it has plenty of power and doesn't really need anymore. I'm running 16 inch lattice rims with Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun 225/55 R16 99W XL which are great. I also have an upgraded front roll bar and I added a rear roll bar which improved the handling a lot. I am still running the standard shocks and springs but i would like to change them for a set of Gaz at some point. Simply Performance supplied my upgrade parts.
Your "Chris Harris on cars" video of your personal E28 M5 still holds a near and dear place in my heart, however this might be my new favorite, even more than the Tuthill
chris i think producers have been holding you back all these years. the home videos are where its at.
I still miss Neil.
I miss Neil
Proper bloke tele👌
Yes!
Reality check comes in when you realise you actually needs money to survive
Home movies... a bit rough around the edges, the odd awkward silence that goes on for one or two beats too long, inexplicable shots inserted at random, all very obviously unpolished and about as slick as a sheet of corrugated iron. Bit like the bloke making them, but, in my opinion, exactly what I think most of us want when watching TH-cam videos about cars - honest, uncompromising, unpretentious and directly to the heart of the matter. Thank you Mr Harris.
Thank you for your post. Precisely my thoughts.
@@barryvyner1161 Well said. I think many have now forgotten the original ethos of TH-cam. Amateur produced content to inspire others to do the same.
He just stopped giving a fuck😂😂 ...and I love it
Yeah, he just went "all new cars suck, I'm done with this, I'm just gonna do what I want"
Back to his pre Top Gear ways, Chris Harris and Jason Cammisa should be 'required watching' to show how to do the job properly, without all the fawning and sucking up to manufacturers and sponsors.
🤣🤣🤣🤣‼️
@@mikedockal8978they do. Best to pick a car you like from 20-30 years ago and drive it while doing a rolling restoration.
If the car and mechanicals are solid it will last for a long long time. Probably until regulation forces us to forgo car ownership
Maybe my favorite Chris Harris video, you can tell how much he loves this project, the trolling powerpoint was top notch!
I have an XK8. My friend has just bought an XJS. We are in our twenties. Jaguar spirit will not die!
I just bought a xk8 at 25, lovely stuff
Well done, Waverly and Raj! It is a brilliant car. And I know a little bit about great cars.
But it's cars will.... jaguar is finished
They will of course die, but there are mechanics and electricians, cable ties and tape.
@@stephen300o6 I think he's just a hater
🤣🤣🤣👌 the “Powerpoint” presentation was fantastic.
He has clearly read the book Presentation Zen!
@9:40 wtf
but yes..
Absolutely hilarious 😂😂 laugh out funny.
I'm watching this project closely as I'm a big fan of Jaaaaags.
I remember being in the back of one of these in the late eighties and the drivers prostitute for the night was sat on my lap, good times.
I lost it at the google search "growler"
Do you think at some point he'll have to go outside to wax the Growler?
I've just watched a 35 ish year old car with a National Trust membership badge on the grill skid around Llandow. That put a smile on my face!
We are very lucky to have Chris Harris
It's also completely FREE!
Thank you Chris
I'm having quite a hard time lately with my father's health, and this video made me laugh and enjoy what I love, friends, banter and cars. Fantastic stuff Chris, thank you.
The tongue in cheek reference to the new Jag ad with the Project Growler presentation...🤣
The best way to stop that crap is to mock it
"We're all a team and we're gonna do it my way" pretty much sums up Gerry's leadership now 😂
Indeed...
Btw there is a US sub called the growler..
Just thought I'd ads that useless factoid in....
Very grateful for being asked to consult on project growler, looking forward to the new power train, though it does drive magnificently as is!
A couple of years ago I got a pang to tinker on a classic again, and I went out and bought an XJS. The idea was to find one, do some work on it and flip it. I knew nothing about them, except that I'd always loved the shape, and that it had to be a manual.
I overpaid for one on Ebay, rented a car in Scotland, and drove down with a mate, to Nuneaton to pick it up. Needles to say when I saw the thing, I should of walked away. Photos and description were misleading to say the least. I offered the bloke a grand less than the auction price, mainly because we had already handed back the rental. He begrudgingly accepted, I begrudgingly paid him, and we left. But then something happened on the drive back up to Scotland. In anger I started to push it, thinking if this 'turd' was gonna break, it was gonna break on the way home. Nothing happened. I pushed harder. Still nothing happened. We were doing between 100 and 120 by the time we got to Glasgow. Temp never moved. Oil pressure stayed right in the middle of those funky gauges. Alternator was bang on. From Glasgow to Edinburgh, on the M8, I was starting to feel like a BOSS,. Flashing my lights and overtaking the kind of people that flash their lights to overtake! Except this car was a very comfortable 1987 banger, and wasn't supposed to be doing this. By then we'd probably also shed a few kg's in rust, and the power to weight ratio had improved exponentially. After crossing the Forth Road Bridge I decided to take the back roads towards St Andrews, and this is where the XJS really shone. Effortly handling the bends with a comfort I'd never experienced in any other classic. By the time I'd reached Fife I'd decided she was a keeper. The best classic car, to this day, I've ever owned.
Thanks Chris, and friends, for finally doing the xjs justice. Because I've frustratingly watched V12 after V12 after 3.6 auto reviews here on TH-cam, shouting at the screen saying "DRIVE A FK'N MANUAL!". Arguing with people in the comments sections about it not supposed to have been a sports car like the E-type!! It was designed as a grand tourer with sporting underpinnings, a bulletproof factory 24valve 6 cylinder, 5 speed stick shift with an LSD, and I can't wait to see you turn it into the sports car they've been bemoaning all these years, shut the XJS critics up, and lay the whole thing to rest. Amen
Yours Truly
Anthony Baiocchi & Malcolm Sayer
That was an excellent tale well told. Thanks mate! Sounds like a hoot!
Good on yer!
I ahve had a 1990 XJRS 6.0 for 20 years and it is a bit lower, a bit stiffer, a bit more power, sharper steering etc and it all comes together. A wonderful british muscle car.
What I have always wanted is a manual box. Now about 5 grand to get a proper conversion. Saving up.
NEVER EVER BUY ANY V12 Jag! The HE are worse than any Yugo!
@@Schlipperschlopper I bought mine in 2003 and it's never let me down apart from once when I had a flat tyre.
Nicely written, please say Hi to Malc from me.
I don't usually comment on videos but I absolutely had to on this one. Absolutely love this format! Nice and simple down to earth, everything you need without the bullshit. Keep it like this Chris
I remember mum getting the V12 XJS sideways on the school run back in the 1980s.
Was it on purpose or by accident?
@@DMSparky Yes.
@@DMSparkyBoth. 😂
My Mum did the same with our Volvo 940 LPT! Halcyon days!
Wasn't Chris's Mum a rally driver in her day? Obviously the driving talent gene got passed on to Chris!
Genuinely good job incorporating Top Gear humor. I felt like I was watching an old episode, before it became a global phenomenon, the period that made it into a global phenomenon. Praise for a car video doesn't get much higher. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the old girl and any other automotive adventures you're kind enough to share.
I was a fan of the XJS since Ian Ogilvy was in Return of The Saint, driving his white V12 (if I remember correctly.)
My late twin brother had a dream of rebuillding an XJS as a project car when he retired. Unfortunately, he died last year before he could realise that dream. So this video about such a classic car meant a lot to me.
Mee to.
Grew up with the saint . Always associated Ian Ogilvy with the white Jaag.
I didn't actually know what kind of car the Saint drove until much older.
..
I do believe the Saint drove a Volvo P1800 before the Jaaaag..
You guys and top dead centre are absolute PEAK ‘tube at the moment.
As someone who has lusted after an XJS since they were eight years old, I'm both happy and sad that the car is getting so much love at the moment as it drives the price of these up. Hope to own one some day.
Just hang on for their next advert. That’s MY plan.
@@colin5577if you can stomach the extra doors, you might as well go for an equivalent XJ sedan/saloon; the driving experience is pretty much the same, but their values rarely seem to go up except for the extreme outliers in conditions and specification.
@@colin5577 That sounds like a brilliantly devious plan!
I think the prices going up has to do more with the price of everything going up and the XJS being old enough to where there´s not many left in at least somewhat reasonable condition.
I’ve lusted after them since young as well, researching them convinced me the chronic headaches couldn’t be justified even with the $2-3kUS prices that were common for so long. A manual would be a longer consideration but still.
Not usually comment on a video but this one is pure joy to watch it.Previous summer bought a 1994 ex California 4.0 convertible manual and brought it back from London to Greece, Thessaloniki,God what a GT it is....puts me a big smile every time i am driving it!!!
1:45-1:48 - The way that bloke on the street watches that Jag go by...
I _felt_ that. Heart-achingly gorgeous, this car.
And, not a very common sight, even on UK roads, I presume.
An actual head turner lmao
I swear I see more of these abandoned in driveways than on the road, or even at a show. Suprising as they're pretty cool cars.
In a city environment, where you can directly compare them to the cars of today, it is a true beauty to behold.
Always loved the XJS.
This is nothing short of comedic genius and is superbly edited.
It’s the best thing ever
I love my xjs had it for over 22 years now, you can see it bombing up the M5 from weston to bristol fairly regularly (if not too wet as it leaks and steams up just like this one lol) makes me smile 🤪
Brilliant hopefully I'll see it one day
Loving the mock-Tudor roof lining.
The fact the bar code is still on it just makes it so much better
Got to keep it up for the growler😂
Is that what it is? I thought it looked interesting.
@@richdurbin6146 I think either Chris or a previous owner has bodged in wooden batons to hold the sagging headliner up!
With added plastic cable channel for authenticity. Marvellous!
I am so happy this channel is back up and running with such brilliant content 👍
Excited to watch this project! Chris and team, you all rock!
I just recently bought an XJS he V12 as well. These cars are just classy as hell. All the v12 is missing is a 5 speed.
The V12 suck they drop valve seats! You cant use any HE V12
That power point presentation was brilliant. Love the project name.
Hey, at 64 and a car perve since about 68 when my truck driving father pointed out an AR GTV & later purchased on my behalf, first car, a Fiat 1100, have always wondered why the XJ-S was not more coveted? Seems like yours and other outrageous efforts will finally show it it’s due. Bravo Mr H. (Still hankering for my first911).
The presentation bit was brilliant. How is it that the BBC is not able to create something similar in spirit and popularity to classic TG? This would be a perfect pilot of such a show. Just quintessentially British men mocking about with some cars. That is all that is needed.
If there is one thing the BBC hates it’s quintessentially British men
This sort of stuff is deemed old gammon TV. That is why the BBC don't do it. If you look at all the comments the bulk of them are all from men of a certain age. This is not the BBCs target audience.
There's no more cars coming out to do that with. All EV nonsense, nothing new and exciting!
@ I am 25😂
But in all seriousness, I have many friends that grew up watching Top Gear, who sorely miss the show. I am sure there would be a young audience.
@ That is very true. Clarkson also mentioned this. A very sad state of affairs. Luckily there's still plenty of the old stuff left to tinker with
The thumbnail is art. No clickbait captions, just the car in motion
Great video Chris! Can't wait to see what you do with the old Jaaaag! Love the color - really suits it and the six is a great engine, especially with the manual 'box - a lot less complicated and more fun than the 12 with auto. Greetings from one of your Caterham drifting students many years ago (I did the 981 exteriors)!
I love that shot of that first powerslide, such a surprise 😂😂
When I was in my 20's I had a 1984 SIII XJ6 4.2. It was waftability at it's finest. Like driving your living room around. Nothing really mattered beyond 30-40mph becuase that's all you ever really had the urge to drive at.
It was the anithesis of road rage as it was so soothing that it even kept a youth from ragging around.
You're right, we don't make cars like this any more, they all need to set lap times around the Nurburgring and have rubber band tyres that bubble at the first pothole you hit.
Chris . Back in the early '90's l bought ......no , stole an early V12 for £100 . It was not a shed and having my local Jaguar specialists give it a health check it was very sound . I had occasion to drive it back from Exeter to Teignmouth . I was having a shit time in my life . There was one corner that few drove above 70mph (my father in fact crashed his XJ6 at 70 mph at this very corner ) l decided that as l was surrounded by a very robust body that stood me at a £100 l was prepared to take that same corner at 120 + , not only did it acheive that mark , l genuinely concluded it could have easily and comfortabiy exceeded that speed .......what a car ! A car l initilally doubted but became to love and respect . ❤
Chris is my favorite of all time. I owned a 1989 XJS V12. And I have to honest…if you see one in the flesh…just take in the body style? It is absolutely stunning! Especially parked among other vehicles. Put some respect on the Jaguar XJS..one of Great Britain 🇬🇧 greats!🙌🏽
My dad had a V12 from new and it’s one of my first memories of being in a car, beautiful machine!
My most favourite Jag of all. The saint drove a white one. Saw it when I was very young. Love this Jag ❤️🌹😼😎
Chris has an absolutely magnificent growler. It may require a bit of tidying, it may smell slightly of neglect- but, once you slip inside it’s a real treat.
Watching this video and remembering back to the many Jaguars I was fortunate enough to ride in or drive through the 80’s & 90’s really show us how far the brand has fallen. XJ6’s were exquisite things here in the states, XJS were stunning and when my friends bought a rare US spec XJS with the 3.8 and a 5 speed, well it was heaven! What Jaguar has lost will likely never be recovered and that’s a shame.
Chris Harris doing what he does best in the city I live in driving on the lovely Somerset roads I enjoy as well
Please keep this up!
Yarp
Had a 89 G reg 3.6 auto in burgundy - absolutely loved it - could kick down at well over 100mph and it would still pin you back in the seat and onto 140 mph ( clock) - great cars - the 3.6 is the best motor of them all imho . Will be watching this with interest.
That PowerPoint presentation was utter genius 😂
It stole the entire episode.
There is a moment in this film Chris, that first lap with the Jag being that unexpected drift puppy 🐶, that is just superb. The genuine reactions from recent films such as this and the one with Francis, that just reasonate so well. Its not a brilliant beautifully scribed article, as I morn for lost car mags, but its the next best thing. Thank you
I've always been a fan of Chris from his TG stint but that film with Francis was a bit of a turning point for me to see his genuine enthusiasm and I've been hooked on his vids since.
To be fair it was there on TG too but somehow supressed.
People don’t realise what good handling cars these were when really pressed, the anti dive wheel geometry and balance were very good , they could of course , waft around like a limousine, but they are in a class of their own .
Nearly two decades of following this true petrolhead and I can't begin to tell how long I have waited for sth like this to be produced by Chris. I hate the way we are fed how good these modern active suspension and steering systems are at hiding the vast mass of a new car. Yes they performe outstandingly on medium grip tarmac and when its raining and for fast driving the tires can cope on dry tarmac with a new 2.4 tonne rocketship for up to 20 minutes untill they are shredded no matter how good the michelin s4 tire is. In an Estonian climate where there could be 2 weeks- 2months of ice driving in winter season waiting to be enjoyed on b roads I always pick the non studded tire since in 5-6 month period the climate can warm up within a couple of days and Personally I like to stick with the old cars because of lower weigt an skinnier tires that create much more pressure per square inch for their lack of weight and give superior control in less than perfect conditions. Since all ice and snow has melted I now have an inevitable urge to play forza motorsport 4 and slightly improve handling in a 1977 aston martin v8 vantage since it comes closest to this jag and maintain comfort and tire departure rates pretty much the same without stiffening the car too much but lightening it and giving it slightly higher cam profile. I always feel that with these projects like my non fictional and totally real 1996 4x4 ford mondeo turnier manual the performance of the car can only be elevated if the comfort is still not affected by fitting sophisticated dampers, still soft springs but higher rebound and poor condition driving capabilities left unharmed
It’s incredible just how happy this looks being driven like that. It’s not lurching about, it’s not bouncing or wallowing, visibly at least. What a machine!
Been loving your videos for over 10 years now Chris. You are one of the best car reviewer / story tellers out there. Keep Going !
Another great video, thanks Chris. I owned a v12 xjs back in the late 90's and drove it to the Le Mans 24hr in 1999. So many locals stopped to watch it pass and kids waved as we drove towards the circuit. Happy days. Loved every minute spent driving it... even at a gallon of fuel each way to work... and still hanker after another. Will enjoy watching this Project Growler as it develops.
I bought an identical spec G-reg out of nostalgic curiosity and boredom at modern homogeneous digi-plastic 4-wheeled marketing suites. And the SMILE says it all 😊 Beautiful to drive, look at, be in and smell. Mostly. Big up the growler! And yes, wet roundabouts are scary fun..
Fantastic video. Love the unpolished format, silliness, bants and an old boat sliding around. More please.
The National Trust badge on the grille says it all.
The best Jaguar ad-video i've seen in a while......🥳
Loving the series! The XJS is a lovely beast.
My late father had a concours winning 86 with the V12. When he passed a decade or so ago, sadly, I was in no position to take over custodianship. Eventually, a gentleman in Sweden bought the car, and it was shipped from Canada to Europe.
I think about my father daily and always wonder how his lovely XJS is fairing in Sweden.
Look forward to future episodes.
🇨🇦🇬🇧
I had a Daimler Sovereign with the 3.6 unit, drove absolutely lovely. Just quality.
As the owner of a White 76 V12 XJS I found this highly entertaining :-)
Those drifts - phenomenal 🤣👏!!
I had a (new) XJ40 in 1990. Everybody thought it was just a big old land-yacht, but the handling was absolutely brilliant. I used to amuse myself by handbrake turning it out of the golf-club car park. Once you’d loaded up the suspension in a turn, it was completely controllable using whatever combination of throttle/ steering/ brake you fancied.
When i was a kid in northern Canada, I lived in cul-de-sac and the neighbor 3 houses down had an old car in champagne colour. It wasn't till I was older I realized it was an E-type Jag. But the XJS was the car I first loved from Jag.
My cousin had the 3.6 so he could have a manual gear box. First time I’d ever been over 100mph - awesome.
I just love the knowledge and your chat Chris….you just have a passion which these videos bring out in spades….So much so I have begun the search for an XJR 308.
Chris. You belong on You tube mate! You had my missus and I in stitches. I've got an early mint 4.2 XK but have always loved the old XJS. The straight sixes are probably a whole lot more practical for the average owner so good choice matey. Keep up the good work and looking forward to seeing how this project develops 👍
Chris gave it his all to make sure he doesn’t get an invitation to drive the new Jag when it arrives, and I support it fully. Excited to follow the journey of this project and see it shred some more rubber!✌🏻
More of this !!! Welcome back to you TH-cam Chris. Don't think you ever really left, but this feels like a new chapter anyhow.
I've been eyeing up 996s the past few months, but this video has thrown a total curveball. These cars look so good now and I love seeing them being thrown around a track sideways! Grrrrr
Love the tone of the low key Jaguar marketing take-down. This is a fantastic episode, Chris you are perfectly on track figuratively as well as literally.
This is why i love Chris Harris and his home movies! 9:39
I have never been more happy than to watch Chris killing it with the slide show. Amazing 👏
The plastic capping holding up the roof lining is hilarious. Love the vids !!!!❤
Seeing an XJS having its neck rung is a delight, well played 👏
Love the XJS, you don't understand until you drive one, you'd be happy to drive it all day long. True passion for it from Chris and the team, nice to see 💪🏼
I love it. So very beautiful. My dream cars are a manual Porsche 928, and a manual Jag XJS. Unfortunately we never got manual XJS's here in the US. Thank you.
The results are more than worth waiting for!
Look at that steering rack. My mother had a 79 XJ6 she bought in like 1988/89. That car was a complete headache, but when it was running correctly (rarely) it was fun. I learned how to drive in that car
This style of production is just absolutly fantastic!!!!!
Lovely to see an XJS cruising past West Mall
Chris' sideways ability is nearly on par with his slideshow presentation work, outstanding.
I dig the gritty content. Chris, you could become one of my favorites! Keep trucking!
This was hilarious hopefully I don't get in trouble for watching at work. "What is the definition of a growler?" 😂
“Okay, it’s one the greatest drift cars ever made”, that really made me chuckle. You really have a great way with words and a quick very dry sense of humour.
I love the pub meeting. Lovely mix of leisure and technical discussion
One of the best reviews I’ve ever watched
Hilarious to see an old XJS do this on track great bit of filming. I had a V12 auto the same age and colour as this one could never have imagined getting it to oversteer round the track it never felt capable of such fun antics.
JXR-6 engine swap, keep the Supercharger on it, some Nitron suspension and job done. Your presentation was very inclusive!
We had an old 1970s XJ6 with a floppy headlining… I pinned it up with little silver headed pins in a random pattern.. and when they began to fall out, I put a little bit of superglue on them so they would stay stuck in. It looks fantastic and took about half an hour.
I had the pleasure to drive a XJS 5:3 V12 HE in 1984 for a weekend around Brighton, I have never been in a car since with such a beautiful ride. It drank like Oliver Reed, getting 10.1 mpg around Brighton. A truly majestic experience and car.
Yeah that American 3 speed automatic certainly knows how to waste fuel around town. It'll do about 20mpg on the open road. Really though it needs a better gearbox.
The timing of this old Jag project is perfect. I've always had a passing like of these cars, it's great to hear that they're actually good. I'm straight onto the classifieds.
Great project, looking forward to this one. Cheers Chris. :)
Love this video, can see your passion really shinning through.
Even when your clearly feeling crap!.
TWR Jaguarsport XJR-S 6.0l chassis set up would be perfect for you. We toured and tested the development cars through Europe and North America and throughly loved them, great tools.
Always nice to see Chris on cars
This new series is a gift to everyone. Thank you sir
An 88 XJS V12 was my first car back in highschool circa 2003 and I loved it. Having a V12, even an old one made me something of a legend. If you're updating it for the love of God work on the horrible Lucas electrics wiring. Most of my problems were electric.
Chris you spend an incredible amount of time in WALES 🏴
I have a 1992 V12 coupe with a 5 speed manual conversion and a freer flowing exhaust. I don't have any other engine mods as it has plenty of power and doesn't really need anymore.
I'm running 16 inch lattice rims with Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun 225/55 R16 99W XL which are great.
I also have an upgraded front roll bar and I added a rear roll bar which improved the handling a lot. I am still running the standard shocks and springs but i would like to change them for a set of Gaz at some point.
Simply Performance supplied my upgrade parts.
Your "Chris Harris on cars" video of your personal E28 M5 still holds a near and dear place in my heart, however this might be my new favorite, even more than the Tuthill
Crumbs, that old thing looks like a tonic. Wonderful, thank you.
Oh yes! I’m going to sit down for this:) ALL B-roll material are also very welcome!
Chris Harris discovers the XJ-S is a great car…..better late than never Chris!
This is a real youtube video and i love it!
The Growler is a brilliant project. Power point was on point!