The XJ6 sedan ended up being the last Jaguar created by team president William Lyons, therefore was actually brilliant that while additional sedans tiny the dust, the automobile would remain in production for more than 2 decades. Brought in late 1968, it matched sophistication, deluxe, 120-mph abilities, and great control.

The trademark 4.2-liter DOHC six-cylinder provided 180 horse power, alongside four-wheel separate suspension system, energy rack-and-pinion direction, electricity disk brakes all round, and a computerized indication. The cars showcased leather chairs, walnut fascia, and sufficient gauges for a little plane. Approximately 254,512 XJ6s were available in 18 ages.

Today, with the BDSM dating sites exception of low-mile originals and limited-production coupes, XJ6 cost linger when you look at the car or truck basement, inside $3000a€“$5000 range. The blend of difficulty, dubious quality-control, and critical corrosion implies that XJ6s become complicated and fairly costly to restore, not to mention it is very tough to encourage potential buyers that they can remain fixed. And since also #1-condition, concours-quality advice bring rates best when you look at the lowest $20,000s, recouping the expense of an entire recovery is normally a pipe fantasy.

Compounding troubles, the show we XJ12 which followed-23,564 are sold from 1973a€“91-used the 5.3-liter V-12 motor found in the Series III E-type. Air cooling was actually common, but no manual gearbox had been granted. Jaguar raised the XJ6 and XJ12 forward bumpers to fulfill U.S. laws during the 1974 show II, and fuel-injection replaced the V-12’s four carburetors, working the engine from 244 horsepower to 285 horsepower in 1975. The XJ6 got fuel-injected from 1978 and both happened to be LWB-only from 1974. A two-door coupe ended up being introduced in 1975, but home seals released, you flexed, plus its rare nowadays (creation amounted to 6487 XJ6s, 1855 XJ12s).

Ray Nierlich is an eternity Jaguar expert, and it has become Dr

The final redesign associated with the initial XJ occurred in 1980 with all the Series III. Pininfarina raised the roofing regarding the backside and smoothed from back fender line. Quality-control at long last enhanced for 1982, as soon as the outstanding they V-12 is released; before which bordered on sabotage. The XJ-40 changed the XJ6 for 1987, whilst the XJ12 soldiered on until 1991.

Enthusiasts gravitate into the six-cylinder automobiles because they are more straightforward to run on-and you will be focusing on them, so anticipate they. The V-12 is much more hard to keep, and overheating problem comprise made worse by catalytic converters raising under-hood temperature to crematorium stages. Rubber fuel tubes in V never stood the possibility.

Nierlich claims the Achilles back of all decades try mind gasket sealing. Fault an extremely challenging cooling system, shady mind gasket materials, and immersing poor mind studs in coolant. The block deck has also been weak with every series. Air cooling can raise cylinder head temps, and S1 A/C never worked well, although S2 and S3 methods are better. Each is R12 and should be transformed into R134, if you don’t need it pricey Freon.

No left-hand-drive four-speed trucks had been purchased in the U.S. (partially because there’s no place to put your clutch foot-the wheel arch intrudes), and automated transmissions are very dismal. Early cars got a hard but leaking unit 12 metal instance Cruise-O-Matic, whilst 1974a€“79 Model 65 was a flimsy metal package from a Ford Maverick. The 1980a€“87 unit 66 try somewhat much better, but all are merely three-speeds. The XJ12 got GM’s remarkable T400 Turbo Hydramatic in 1977.

Electrics illustrate all the Lucas laughs, Nierlich states. Show I automobiles are merely antiquated, but S2 changes routinely break down and digital ignitions fail. Vinyl starter relays self-combust and pressurized energy contours can spray gasoline onto ignition components on start-up. In the event that you hear a a€?pop,a€? never start the hood without a fire extinguisher. The 1975a€“78 XJ6s showcased keeping Stromberg car chokes, which melted catalytic converters. Inertia safety changes stuck people.

At the bottom with the barrel are the early S3 trucks in 1980a€“81. Factors brightened up in 1982, but back in 1984a€“85 Jag forgot to machine the rear primary journal correctly and motor spun the rear main having around 60,000 miles-with no caution.

A machinist who renders special knowledge when needed, he views Jaguars making use of the exasperation of a beloved son or daughter with a sugar addiction

From the 1970s, discouraged holders going fitted Chevrolet V-8s to the worst XJ6 sedans, although they become a poor alternative. The wires use ought to be altered, sending products swapped to create gauges work, and legal smog products built in California. Plus V-8s vibrate even worse than straight-sixes, and no one trusts a mongrel. Besides, if you cannot work with they, who can?

A-glimmer of hope occurs in the example of low-mileage, immaculate examples. One-owner trucks express ideal wager; it doesn’t matter what most kilometers, deferred maintenance must not be a concern. Bring a Trailer arranged a record for an XJ6 deal in March, whenever a seller in Evanston, Illinois, ended up selling a two-owner, 7300-mile 1986 sedan in Regency Red for $21,000.

Every person agrees that the XJ6 was actually a great auto whenever it had been brand-new; the key is to find someone today.