When it came to relatively affordable British luxury cars from the 1980s, the Jaguar Vanden Plas stood out as one of the best. Not only were they loaded with luxurious leather and wood trim, but they also provided quite impressive performance. This 1984 Vanden Plas looks to be in really nice condition and has been listed for sale with an asking price of $8,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Ikey H for spotting this British classic for us. The Jaguar is located in Oro Valley, Arizona, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist.
The Jaguar is a somewhat deceptive vehicle because they look significantly larger than they actually are. This is achieved by the fact that the car has an incredibly low roof-line, which accentuates the length of the car. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that you will lack for space in a Vanden Plas, because they also manage to have quite generous head-room, and can seat four adults in total comfort. This particular car looks to be in extremely nice condition. The gold paint has a nice shine to it, and all of the external trim seems to be in fantastic condition. For me, the only thing that I find jarring is the wheels. They might appeal to the tastes of some people, but not to me. Thankfully, the owner is including the original alloy wheels with the car. That will leave the choice up to the new owner.
The interior of the Jaguar is typical of the era, with plenty of cows and trees laying down their lives to produce a pretty sumptuous environment. The interior of this one looks to be in wonderful condition, with very few problems or issues to report. Naturally, you get some nice luxury touches to enhance the exclusive feel inside the car. Power windows, air conditioning, remote mirror adjustment, a rear defroster, adjustable lumbar supports on both front seats, and a trip computer were all there to be enjoyed. This car has been fitted with an aftermarket CD player, but I actually don’t mind that.
We get no photos of the engine, and this is a shame, as this is an area of some mystery. What should be under the hood is the 4.2-liter straight-six engine that produces 176hp. However, in the summary panel, the engine is described as having eight cylinders. These Jaguars were often candidates for a small-block Chevrolet transplant, and that is a possibility with this car. I’m not sure that this is the case, as it isn’t mentioned in the ad, and the owner also states that he has every piece of documentation for the car and that it has covered a genuine 47,000 miles. If he goes to the trouble to mention all of that, I’m sure that he would mention an engine change. If everything is original, that engine would be backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission. Performance is impressive for a luxury car of this era, with a Van Den Plas accelerating from 0-60mph in 12 seconds, and on to a top speed of 123mph. Those figures might not sound like much today, but they compare favorably with their competition at the time.
This Jaguar Vanden Plas is a really nice car, and for the person who is seeking a luxurious British classic, this looks like a prime candidate. The condition of the car looks to be superb, and if the car does come with a comprehensive collection of documentation, then that’s even better. It is possible to buy a pretty ratty example for a few thousand dollars, but a really good one with low mileage will generally sell for around the $12,000 mark. With an asking price of $8,000, this one looks like a real bargain buy.
With those miles it’s gotta be the jag motor. If someone put a SBC in it they would have driven it way more. Beautiful car though, and it’s never too late for an LS swap!
This car looks sharp, but if it turns out it had a Chevy engine swap, for me that would right away let all the air out of the balloon….phfffft!
Never heard of that Jaguar model, but she sure is purty and has obviously been well taken care of over the years.
Just 3,000 more miles before it implodes.
this should be a v12 as its having the twin gas tanks…
All XJ6 and XJ12 have two tanks.
XJ6 also have twin tanks. My fuel injected 1986 is as reliable as a Camry. 187000 and rolling.
Two doors to many!!
The model is XJ6 or XJ12 depending on the engine. Vander Plas was a trim level. VP was the top trim level at this time. The asking price maybe a little high, but that is what negotiating is all about.
Nice car but I would prefer the red they had in 86/87. Hate the wheels on this car. Lots of work to keep clean.
Cheers,
Bob
They all had two gas tanks. The crossover valve was a weak point, but the twin chrome gas caps bestowed a certain symmetry to the rear deck area.
The wire wheels were a fairly popular option for these cars as I recall.
I fell under the thrall of one XJ6 parked at a repair facility we supplied parts to. It was Solent Blue with a grey interior. These cars have inboard discs at the rear with IRS. The one I saw had a liberal coating of rust all over that wonderfully complex rearend.
“What’s WD40 for?” I mused.
The shop owner said it ran fine. On starting fluid. I wanted it desperately. The real owner wanted $800. I was prepared to offer $600. I told my wife. She said I was nuts. I tricked her into seeing the car. She threatened divorce.
A friend found another XJ6 at a junkyard that actually ran and drove. I sneaked over to drive it. Like all good British cars it smelled musty inside. The driver’s seat had a crack across it. I think the mold lived inside there. When I got home my wife asked what that smell was. I told her, “I think it’s from the Jag I drove today.”
At that point divorce was looking like the preferable option.
Preferable to murder.
Eventually sanity prevailed and I ended up with the 1995 Corvette. I ran into a guy who was traveling from Indy to Louisville with his wife in a Series III XJ6. He complained strenuously that the thing wouldn’t run right for more than a week. I didn’t share that with my wife.
I still want an XJ6, but maybe a later model. But, man, they are gorgeous.
I purchased a new XJ6 1985 in 1986 it was a gray market car. It ran super well. Not sure where you got the top end speed but I saw 135 mph and was still pulling!! Came through Atlanta with a Mercedes and a Audi lowest we got was 110 usually 125, fastest trip on Interstate 85 I have ever had!! The car would level out at 85/90 it was real happy at those speeds! Yes it had 2 tanks one on each side!!
I myself am not sold on the fact that the car is a VDP. I believe the back of the front seats should have fold down trays. The front grille and trunk finisher should be “fluted”. This car looks like a standard XJ6. I see nothing special on this car
Fluted grill and rear plinth were on Daimler variants
Daimlers were never sold here, and later US-market XJ6s in VDP trim did get the Daimler-style fluted grille and trunklid trim, but perhaps not this early along with the seatback tray tables.
You are thinking of the later XJ40 Vanden Plas, those did have the features you mention, the S3 Daimler was just like this one, although it did have the fluted grille, but I don’t think the US VDP did
I was wondering where the tray’s were too? I thought all the VDP cars had the trays?
Fluted grille was for Daimlers
Not a very inspiring car to drive or own, for that matter. Little niggling things would fail, further detracting from the luxury experience. Not Jaguar’s finest effort.
Is one gas cap a dummy then?
Nope, they’re both fully functional, each feeding a separate tank in each rear fender. There’s a switch on the dash to flip which tank is feeding the engine, tho’ I gather they also can be (and maybe later cars were?) cross-linked to work as if they were a single tank.
Thanks SubGothius, always nice to learn!
I’m still on the lookout for a decent ’87, burgundy/ biscuit leather, please. Just like the one that got away years ago when they were cheap! I’ll even do the rear brakes.
These cars are a recipe for disaster.
I have had several Jags – all Daimler versions – even more upmarket than the Vanden Plas. The ‘1978 XJ6 4.2 litre straight six had 2 gas tanks with a filler cap on either side just like this VP. 23 mpg on a good run.
It was the even more luxurious Daimlers which had the “fluted” front grille and rear handle…the twin tanks were amongst other reasons also bc then it would never be a problem which to tank from( according to Sir Lyons).
Need a huge and comprehensive tool kit to own and run one of these OR bucket loads of spare cash to pay someone else to look after it.
Had a Daimler 6cyl and it spent more time on the back of a tow tilt tray than it did on the road. The Brits are great at style but crap on mechanicals.
UPDATE!!: Yesterday I was ready to pull the trigger on this Jag and open the ad to call the seller and found the price lowered to $4,000 I never see a classic car owner to do this on an ad. Then I do some research in the area and found this:
https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/tucson-1984-jaguar-scam/6843771958.html