About Me
History...1968... a year usually remembered for the social unrest that shook Europe but for Jaguar enthusiasts, it's the year the XJ6 shook the automotive world. A ground breaking saloon which would enjoy unparalleled success for the following 20 years (almost 25 if you consider that the V12 version remained in production until 1992...). The XJ6 is also significant being the last new Jaguar launched under the leadership of the company's founder, Sir William Lyons.Back in 1968, the all new XJ6 had no competition as it set new standards of luxury, elegance and performance. It was drastically different from Jaguar's other offerings, the big Mark X or the highly successful smaller Mark 2 which where all based on 1950s designs. It was also light years away from the company previous generation saloon, the Mark IX. In contrast, the XJ6 was a monocoque design instead of a body on frame construction and while a certain family resemblance could be found with the Mark X / 420, the slim elegant lines stood out. Although the 420G would continue on for a while in limited numbers, Sir William Lyons vision of the new XJ replacing all of the company's saloon worked and would in fact support the company until the end of the century...Mechanically it was also breaking new grounds for saloons with its rear independent suspension nearly identical to the one found on the E-type. This not only provided superior handling but also reduced noise and vibration thanks to its rubber mounts. The engine was the proven and powerful 4.2 liters XK inline 6 cylinder developing 175hp and 225lb/ft of torque, giving the car a solid performance edge over its competition. As with previous Jaguar models, price was extremely competitive at just over UKP 2000 despite the luxurious appointments of its interior : comfortable leather seats and plenty of wood, just like a Jaguar should be ! The dash and instrumentation was very conservative and similar to what Jaguar drivers were used to in the Mark 2, Mark X and even the E-type : twin large primary instrument ( tach and speedometer), secondary instruments in a center panel immediately above a row of rocker switches.Victim of its own success, early deliveries were slow as Jaguar's attempt to meet the demand and were hampered by delays in body manufacturing; the first cars were actually suffering from quality control problems. Despite these, the XJ6 was so superior to its competition than buyers were willing to wait and could even resell their just delivered XJ6s at a profit should they want to. As result of the sleek lines, interior space (especially in the back) was really the only deficiency of the new XJ6, something that will be addressed by a longer wheelbase model, although not until 1972. In some markets where taxes favored smaller engine, Jaguar offered a 2.8 Litre version of its XK engine at the expense of performance (140hp) but that version was not as successful facing stiff competition from BMW.1972 would be the year Jaguar launched the XJ12, once again setting new standards in motoring by combining the elegant lines and luxury of the XJ6 with the smoothness and power of its new V12 engine, introduced a year before in the E-type. Using the same 4 Strombergs carburettors found in the E-type (fuel injection would not come to the V12 until the XJS in 1975), it developed 255hp and a whopping 300lb/ft of torque... The XJ12 is Sir William Lyons final achievement before his retirement that same year and the numbers speak for themselves: faster production four seater in the world at 140 mph and 0-60 times of under 7.5 seconds. The XJ12 had no match even though Jaguar's competition was starting to catch up, a task made even tougher with the introduction of the Series 2 XJ in 1973.The most obvious change in the Series 2 came at the front where new bumper height requirements forced Jaguar to redesign the grille and move the signals / markers below the bumper, overall an even sleeker and more refined design. The instrument panel was also modernized with the secondary gauges moved in front of the driver around the primary instruments and the rocker switches dropped in favor of column mounted stalks.As the Series 2 was being introduced, Jaguar unveiled what will become one of the rarest car in the company's modern history : the XJ Coupe b(badged XJ6C or XJ12C). Built on a short wheelbase XJ, the two door coupe was built without central pillars for a striking look, particularly with the windows rolled down. Built only between 1974 and 1977, this highly desirable Jaguar is now becoming a true collector especially in V12 form. About 10 000 coupes were built, and fewer than 2500 were V12. While the lack of central pillar somewhat compromised body rigidity, it is a really a more sporty version of the saloon and handles fairly well. All cars were delivered with a vinyl covered roof giving them an unusual look for a Jaguar.The next major revision to the XJ saloon came in 1979 when Jaguar called on Italian design house Pininfarina but again restyling was kept fairly subtle. Alteration to the roofline, now flatter, changes to the rake of the windshield and changes to tail lights, wheels and trim. The new front grille was changed from horizontal to vertical slats.The US model was still powered by the 4.2 litre XK engine, fuel injected since 1978. Again, early deliveries suffered from quality control issues, especially paint, but the updated engine, with fuel injection, larger intake valve and management system was once again setting new standards, developing over 200hp.US market XJ6 were always fully equipped but for those desiring even more luxury, the Vanden Plas (named after the renowned coach builder) provided an upgraded interior.Despite the investment, the new XJ6 was really just a stop gap, final evolution before the arrival of the next generation saloon. This however would take much longer than anticipated, in part due to the financial problems faced by Jaguar and parent company British Leyland in the early 80s keeping the XJ6 in the showrooms for most of the 80s.Finally after years of development and postponements, in 1986 Jaguar unveiled its next generation saloon, still badged XJ6 but also known under its code name XJ40. This was not just a face lift or redesign but truly an all new car. On the outside, styling was radically different with rectangular design which could be called boxy if it wasn't for the still elegant tapered lines. Gone where the trademark twin petrol tanks / fillers and, depending on market and specification, the XJ40 featured attractive rectangular headlights.Under the bonnet, an inline 6 was still powering the car but it was an all new engine: the fuel injected AJ6 launched a couple of years earlier in the XJS. With dual overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder, the 3.6 Litre engine delivered 221 hp; more power, better fuel efficiency and less emission than the venerable XK engine could. The suspension was revised, with conventional outboard brakes in the rear and a new self leveling hydraulic system. The interior was all new, with a completely revised and modern dash featuring what would become a trade mark for Jaguar, the J-Gate shifter. The car’s tapered lines still meant that passenger and luggage space was still lacking.Once again, the base model XJ40 was sold including all options in the US and additional models were offered like the Vanden Plas, Majestic and Sovereign; all mechanically identical with slight trim changes.During the XJ40 development phase, Jaguar designers feared that British Leyland would impose use of the Rover V8 engine in the new saloon and made sure that the car was designed in such a way that a V engine could not be fitted. As a result, there was no way to fit the V12 without extensive modification and with the more traditional looking series 3 XJ still in demand, the series 3 XJ12 would remain in production and offered in parallel to the new XJ40. It would take until 1992 for the XJ40 body shell to be redesigned to accept the V12...After Ford purchase of the company in 1989, a massive investment program was launched to improve quality. While Jaguars were always a step ahead of competition in the styling, performance and comfort department, they were usually behind in reliability... Ford's financial resources and technology meant that improving reliability and engineering was possible and the XJ40 benefited from this. By the final two years of its production, in 1993 and 1994, the XJ40 had become a well built and reliable Jaguar.. At last!
