By the mid-1960s, Jaguar was displaying several sedans in its showrooms. It had the 420, the Mark I/II series, the Mark X, and the S. Meanwhile, employers’ relationships with workers in Britain were deteriorating by the day, creating a challenging environment for product development. Complicating matters further, British Motor Company was reforming itself into British Leyland – destined for nationalization just a few years later. In 1968, Sir William Lyons decided to slenderize Jaguar’s offerings by consolidating its sedan offerings into one: the XJ6. Though inspired by managerial issues, this decision was one of Lyons’ best. Here on eBay is one of the most desirable forms of XJ6, this 1975 coupe. The seller wants an opening bid of $14,500, though a prospective owner could elect a buy-it-now price of $19,500. The car can be driven away from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
Jaguar’s venerable 4.2-liter six-cylinder lies in the engine bay, good for almost 180 hp and a 125 mph top speed. The mileage is quoted at 114,500. Considerable work has been performed over the two years of the seller’s ownership, including a completely renewed fuel system top to bottom, a transmission rebuild, and ditto for the carburetors. The car has a fresh battery and new tires. The new owner could invest time to improve the cosmetic appearance of the engine bay – that’s part of the joy of new-old car ownership, right? The air conditioning compressor needs repair, too.
XJ6 owners were coddled by leather, wool, and wood in the cabin. This car’s surfaces show wear commensurate with the car’s mileage, but nothing is torn or cracked that we can see. That air vent under the window sits askew, and the seats need conditioning. The trunk wants to meet a vacuum someday; this photo also shows that the rear bumper chrome is fogged. Close examination also reveals that the rear parcel shelf is warped. On the other hand, the headliner is brand new, and replacing that was not an easy job!
The XJ6 was the last car built under Lyons, when the factory was still “manufacturing” by hand. The coupe’s development was delayed in order to troubleshoot wind noise in the two-door configuration. Engineers also discovered that body flex kept cracking the roof paint, so every coupe was delivered with a vinyl roof. Today, flex agents can solve that problem and many an owner has stripped the vinyl off in favor of paint. This car has been repainted, but for some reason, its only indicated rust problem – the trunk floor – was not remedied. To my eye, the passenger’s door sits a bit proud at the bottom edge, too. Values can fluctuate widely, from high mileage projects in the few-thousand-dollar range to this one, completely restored, with an ask of $52,500. This very nice driver sold for $29,700 recently. Despite the low interest in this auction, the opening bid does seem reasonable; what do you think?
Call me crazy but this is a nicer car than the E Type in 2+2 configuration. 2 different cars, ok, but the 6C just looks right for what it is.
Don’t get me wrong, wouldn’t take one if these over an E Type-unless it was the 2+2 which always looked, well, wrong.
A year ago I made a list of all the cars I’ve owned in the past 57 years. 90 something in total.1976 XJ6C was absolutely the worst car of the bunch. No doubt I bought a roach. I could hear it rust at night, always smelled of fuel, never ran right no matter what was done to it. I didn’t in good conscious sell the money pit, but donated it instead.
I had one. That engine is filthy.
The coupe is rare and much better looking than the sedan. When these cars were cheap and going for no money as projects, I alway thought of dropping in a good 350 motor and manual transmission as the drivetrain. It would be nice to drive a bigger Jag with a stick! Of course I never found a coupe! Those days are gone……….
Went on a tour of the factory while I was in England for flight training. Watched ’em make the doors for the coupe. They just took 2 front doors from a 4 door, cut ’em in half and welded the pieces together! I’ve had several XJs over the years, but never a coupe. Always lusted after one, they are beautiful! Just remember Lucas…Prince of Darkness!
Here Kitty, Kitty ;)
I had one, years ago, almost identical. On the West Coast, though. I was a little apprehensive about the rumors concerning dependability, but I had no issues with mine. It flooded easy, but I was wise to that. Another car I shouldn’t have sold.
Should have been Jaguar’s 3.0CSi. If only Jaguar had been managed and marketed by Germans!
Jaguar dug its own grave by skimping on total quality in order to keep costs and price lower than was sustainable. Mercedes never charged less than a car owed, even if the product design and feel was inferior.
So, look at them both now!
And wasn’t it about 1990 when Jaguar was owned by Ford? That sure didn’t help their reputation.
Ford fixed many of the Jag problems that Jag hadn’t fixed themselves before then. turbo-hydro tranny, delco electrics and harrison A/C.
I’ve got a 95 xj6 that has been trouble free. Just wish it had more legroom!