There is a lot to be said for restoring an XJS. Firstly, it’s a Jaaaaagggg – offering elegance and comfort with speed and grunt to boot. Getting hold of an XJS doesn’t cost the moon either, as its predecessor does, while parts and specialists are commonplace up and down the country. Overall, however, the XJS is a fantastic car, injecting excitement and cool into your lifestyle.
Jaguar XJS
When the XJS was launched in 1975, everybody hated it. After the sleek and world changing E-Type it appeared to be replacing, it was disappointing to say the least. The fact that very early ones, with big vulgar plastic bumpers, were usually finished in the most 1970’s shade of brown probably didn’t help.
Yet, as time has moved on, the shape of the XJS – like wine or cheese – mellowed into our culture very nicely. It pretty much became a staple of the late 20th century, adorning every city by the bucket load and staring in virtually all-major TV shows of the time. It could be seen power sliding with Joanna Lumley in The New Avengers, Simon Templar had one and Frank Sinatra owned a V12 as a personal runaround. Nearly every member of the royal family had one, too.
It became such a symbol of nostalgia as its looks and pedigree won the world over that the XJS production run lasted more than 20 years. Americans lapped up the V12, resulting in 115,000 being manufactured – leaving the XK8 with some pretty big shoes to fill. But why is this an ideal project?
General opinion is that they are thirsty, poorly built and an extreme financial headache. So, what’s the appeal? Well, besides mooning us with its beauty and sounding sexier than Marilyn Monroe with a gnarly throat cold, they are nowhere near as catastrophic to own as claimed.
Pre-HE models are indeed rather thirsty, but what else do you expect from a 1970s V12 design? However, for this price you are rewarded with one of the smoothest and grandest engines in the land.
When it comes to build quality, some variants are questionable, but what else do you expect from a 1970s BL product build during turbulent times? Yet, the ones that are left have been updated or mended to provide quality motoring, as they should always have been.
A restoration financial headache? There is no getting away from the fact some parts prices and specialist jobs are steep, but they are far more DIY-able than you would think. The V12 may be a complex beast but if you source some advice from the interweb forums, you will find nearly any job is doable at home.
Once you have it back on the road you will soon discover that the view over the bonnet is world beating and, as a driving experience, is second to none.
Permitting classic car ownership and enjoyment for less than price of an E-Type subframe, this one here could use some love. Repaying you by genuinely enriching your driving experience and making you the head turner of the street, the only outstanding problem you may have is that an XJS will set the bar so high for your future cars, you will be forever spoiled.