- Seller: Geoff K (Contact)
- Location: Ben Lomond, California
- Mileage: 29,989 Shown
- Chassis #: UE2R51163BW
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 5.3-Liter V12
- Transmission: Automatic
On one of my daily walking routes, there’s a ’62 Corvette that’s been sitting inertly in a garage for decades, and about once a month I’ll mention to my wife that I could probably have it running, stopping, and back on the road in a week, assuming it wasn’t parked because of some mechanical catastrophe. But we all know that owners park their classics for a variety of reasons: just wanting to know it’s there, saving money to get it back on the road, having family responsibilities, “I’m going to restore it someday,” just not being as “into it” as I am, etc. Regardless of the “why,” this 1974 Jaguar XJ12L was socked away in the garage in 1989 and only recently saw the light of day; the current owner “bought [it] from a dealer in Monterey, CA who got it as part of a package deal with other vehicles,” and now he’s selling it as a no reserve Barn Finds Auction.
Unfortunately, sitting for 35 years has a harmful effect on mechanical components, and indeed, the current owner doesn’t want to mislead potential buyers: “mechanical and electrical condition [is] unknown.” The engine is Jaguar’s 5.3-liter V12, which, in 1974, had a 7.8:1 compression ratio and 241 horsepower (net). The Jaguar V12 is not known for its simplicity, and considering that this engine may not be in any mood to rotate, I wonder if it’s too blasphemous to suggest that this might be a good candidate for a Chevy swap.
It’s not an unpopular move, and considering that the rest of the car is quite solid and the interior is in decent shape, it might be the quickest way to get the car back on the road (or maybe you have a spare Jaguar V12 waiting for something to do). The transmission is a Borg-Warner Model 12 three-speed, which dispatches the V12’s torque to a 3.31 rear axle and an independent rear suspension with inboard disc brakes.
The “L” in XJ12L indicates its long wheelbase, 112.8 inches compared to 108.8 inches for the standard XJ sedan; it makes a difference in legroom, as you can see by this image. The interior will be absolutely presentable with a good cleaning (and perhaps a new headliner).
The seller of this Jaguar has not been stingy with pictures, which is what a buyer needs when they’re fretting over spending money on a car they haven’t seen in person. The seller says that the body is “straight and rust free,” but the paint is “heavily cracked and peeling on horizontal surfaces.” The undercarriage has surface rust that is commensurate with the amount of time it’s spent sitting in the previous owner’s garage.
This will probably not be the kind of car that you can get back on the road in a week, but it’s a solid example of an uncommon model; only 4,744 XJ12Ls were produced in 1974. Who knows, maybe the gods of internal combustion will have been kind, and you can get that big V12 coughing to life again. Or maybe you can install that Chevy 383 you have sitting under the bench. Either way, this Jag is being sold with no reserve, so bid now if you like saving those long-dormant cars.
Bid On This Auction
Senap bid $600.00 2025-06-07 16:16:11
LaSalle bid $400.00 2025-06-07 09:23:28- Senap bid $200.00 2025-06-06 02:34:13
Anders bid $100.00 2025-06-02 10:25:31
A note for California bidders: The car is on Planned Non-Operation (PNO) status with the DMV so no back fees are due. As a 1974 model this car is smog exempt, so there is wide latitude for engine swaps, installing aftermarket fuel injection, or other modifications.
I smell a bundle deal ….this car and the v12 crate motor from a few weeks ago.
I love the way that Jags ride and handle. I like the front end styling, but have never liked the amount of rear end after the back glass. I always thought that it was 12″ too long. The V8 is a good option in case the V12 is an expensive proposition . Also I am not a fan of the extra rear sear room. It makes the car look to long to me. Ok, cut 2 feet out from the rear seat , cut 1 foot off the rear, install a 400 small block and make the price $500, and I will take it. (The body work better be perfect! lol!! )
I love your reply! My neighbour has one of these. It’s white with factory wire rims. It’s a great little car considering it’s a Jaguar! Nice chatting with you Wayne.
Not only, as stated, “sitting for 35 years has a harmful effect on mechanical components”, one could add, being built by Jaguar has had the same effect. I do think they are stunningly beautiful though.
The SBC swap cures a lot of the Jaguar ills. But this one will need deeper work than that.
Maybe someone can do a photoshop version so that I can see it?! Take out he rear seat section up to the small rear door glass. (That section goes right up to the back edge of the driver’s door.) And just somehow shrink the trunk area by about 12″.
Wayne, they made the shorter version you want, XJ Coupe!
https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/carlex-jaguar-xj-coupe-5.jpg
Those XJ coupes are tidy. I’d drive one, although I think I’d prefer a Chev engine under the bonnet.
We had a ’73 XJ6 ; the most silent vehicle I ever drove. Once inside you literally felt like you were in a cocoon………….it blew a head gasket on the 405 in LA……………go figure!
Between the Lucas electronics and the block a swap might be the way to go. But man what a car even with its frailties. GLWTS!
I bought a 1974 Jaguar like this for my father for fathers day 30 years ago from an auction. After I got it home and detailed it, I went to take for a drive to fill it up and the starter went out. I almost suffered a heart attack when I found out they had to pull the engine to replace it plus the cost of parts and the starter.
Not bad, but I am wary bc of 2 words, “Lucas electronics.”
I had this exact model, same color, etc. in roughly 1983. Interior of this car is really sun faded, and the lead photo appears to show a different paint shade for the rear doors and back half of the car? Borg Warner auto tranny. My car dropped a valve seat on the right bank on one cold start, apparently this is common for this vintage V-12. I shut it down quickly and escaped with “only” a new (used) cylinder head. Once I got the car sorted it proved to be pretty reliable, had it painted BRG, and eventually sold it for more than I paid for it. Not including my labor!
When I was barely wearing long pants, we had a family friend who owned one of the Mark sedans from the 1950’s. I went for a ride in it and was hooked for life. The leather, the wood, the strangeness of a “foreign” car as well as the fact it had a stick shift in a luxury car had me reeling. Cadillac and Imperial are luxury cars and they always have an automatic, so I was confused. Even the engine was wrong as there were “only” six cylinders. This obviously does my five year old brain a service by adding more power. In theory. I would venture to project that these could be sold new today if they had reliable power trains and electronics. How many can you build before you need to show federal compliance?
I had an acquaintance in Virginia who routinely swapped small block Chevys into these and Mazda RX7s. He was so good at it, you’d swear you were looking at factory installs. These Jags are a great ride with either power plant. I’d love to have this, but my back says no.
David Michael Herr, thanks, yes I know. I have seen a couple, but the rear deck is still too long. (In my opinion) Also, I don’t like the style of the back glass area. It looks tacked on from another vehicle. After I complete all my current projects, maybe I will attack one of these.
Not one mention of the paint mis-match shown in the lead photo. Seems glaring to me. Either the hood, fender and front door were repainted a lighter shade, or the rear and roof were refinished in a darker shade. That would annoy the hell out of me every time I looked at it in my driveway.
I hadn’t noticed the paint mismatch until I polished and waxed the car and took the photos. The car needs a full repaint anyway so this would then be a non-issue. :-)
I agree with most, these XJ’s look best in the regular size. The only benefit might be the slightly better ride a longer wheelbase gives. BMW would do the same with their earlier 740’s later, when they made the 740iL, a lengthier version of the 740i. And 740s too look better without the added length.
The longer wheelbase was made standard fitment on all XJs in 1974 apart from the XJC coupe version which kept the short wheelbase. All later Series 2 four doors like this car and all Series 3s were LWB. Which meant they had usable rear legroom, unlike the SWB which had coupe legroom.