Jaguar XJS

[Esperante]

Just came out of warehouse storage this morning.
We bought it from our uncle about a decade ago-
This is the last year for the V12 first generation models, and, for its age, has had few problems. The biggest of which is the paint-Jaguars poor painting does not hold up well in Wisconsin's volatile climate. The body paint is chipped on top surfaces (not on sides) where the sun baked it. The passenger side door/window trim faded form black to white-the passenger side is the side that got most sun exposure since my uncle owned it. A/C was replaced 7 years ago (twice), and it leaks oil at the rate of about one drop per month. My uncle took out the engine, took it apart and did a rebuild but could not find the source. But considering the car is 21 years old, it's been pretty reliable.
PS-It's a little dirty from being in storage 2 years.

[Esperante]

.....

[henk4]

any plans with the car? Daily driver? comes at a pricey moment given the thirst of the V12, but for a short weekend trip along the borders of Lake Michigan

[Esperante]

Originally Posted by henk4

any plans with the car? Daily driver? comes at a pricey moment given the thirst of the V12, but for a short weekend trip along the borders of Lake Michigan

The fun factor of the car makes up for the price of gas. Not sure what'll be done with it yet, it's been more reliable than our Jeep Grand Cherokee (and with rivaling gas milage) so it might be a daily driver for a short bit.

[baddabang]

OOOOO I have a 74 jx12, that was my grandfathers. Ther is just one problem that its 1500 miles away :P. Nice car, they are very reliable. before my gradfather got his it had 240,000 miles on it.

[LotusLocost]

That is one nice car Esperante!!!!

I just love that car.. so beutiful
Especialy the rear window and the "fins" that go all the way to the back..
Is it auto or manual?
My friend has a bit newer (don`t know what year) XJS cab version..
But the coupe version is so much nicer

[ScionDriver]

I am surprised that you said its been so reliable. I always equate Jags from the 70s-80s as unreliable as the ones from the 60s! But hey its a great looking car and good to know its running well.

[jorismo]

That is one of the best looking cars ever made for sure! You're really lucky. But to be honest: I wouldn't use it a daily transport, the chance is to big to crash it...

[henk4]

on another note, did you ever build the Hasegawa kit version of the car? Tomorrow I'll post a pic of the TWR version.

[Esperante]

Originally Posted by henk4

on another note, did you ever build the Hasegawa kit version of the car? Tomorrow I'll post a pic of the TWR version.

Is it first or second gen? I remember building one years ago of the second gen (the one with two headlights instead of four) but it was some snap together. I would definitely have to find this Hasegawa kit, seeing as the 944 of theirs I built was very good in quality-especially if it was the original first gen.

On another note, nothing is perfect. It's a manual. But this is really one of the few cars where 'false fastbacks (short rear window with fins coming from cab)' actually looks good.


On yet another note-Just took it on a drive downtown, and I have to be completely honest-this is one of the best driving cars ever built-high in build quality, enjoyment, comfort and styling.

[Cotterik]

that should be at home in britain not over there

but seeing as it is, get it a good wash and a wax, new oil and take care of it!

[Vindesh17]

that's a beauty, take good care of it.

[pimento]

Originally Posted by Esperante

On another note, nothing is perfect. It's a manual. But this is really one of the few cars where 'false fastbacks (short rear window with fins coming from cab)' actually looks good.

Funny, I think a lot, if not most of us here would prefer a manual.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Esperante

Is it first or second gen? I remember building one years ago of the second gen (the one with two headlights instead of four) but it was some snap together. I would definitely have to find this Hasegawa kit, seeing as the 944 of theirs I built was very good in quality-especially if it was the original first gen.

It came in the same series as the 944, (and a Ferrari 328) it is very well detailed, comparable to Fujimi enthusiast series

I just added the pics in the kit corner section of the forum

[Esperante]

Originally Posted by pimento

Funny, I think a lot, if not most of us here would prefer a manual.

Did I say manual? I actually meant to say it was an automatic! I prefer manual too.