Time to fill in the blanks: there is literally no information offered about this derelict Jaguar XJ6 Long Wheelbase model beyond the fact that it’s a 1978 model. That’s it. The location on the listing indicates it’s sitting in a forgotten garage near Yoopers in Michigan (is that a town or a bar?) and that’s it. These are not necessarily smart cars to buy in this sort of condition, but especially not for $11,000. I’m guessing this is a case of a seller who was tasked with unloading a forgotten car that he doesn’t know much about; check it out here on craigslist.
$11,000 is a very tall ask. As much as older Jaguars like the E-Type tend to go for strong money even when found in project form, the same rule does not apply for the XJ6. The long wheelbase version is certainly harder to find, but LWB has rarely translated to being a significantly more valuable car. The interior is in better condition than you’d expect for a neglected Jaguar, with leather seats in decent shape (the rear seat is really nice) and door panels in equally sound nick. The wood trim likely looks better in these pictures than in real life, however.
I’m surprised this one hasn’t been swapped to small block Chevy, given it has clearly become a project with no financial upside. However, if this did belong to an owner who was passionate about the Jaguar brand, it’s entirely possible it was a driver until he or she passed away, and it quickly became a paperweight after a few weeks of sitting. Most shops these days won’t even touch a car like this, as the first repair bill would quickly outstrip its value in any modern pricing guide. I will say, it’s refreshing to not see the engine bay half disassembled.
The Jaguar XJ6 is a model that certainly casts a shadow of elegance and luxury wherever it goes. I can imagine not knowing much about cars, pulling open those doors, and seeing this stately sedan sitting there, imagining that it must be a cash cow. Sadly, this XJ6 will be lucky if it’s not stripped down for parts to preserve one of the few remaining actively used examples still on the road. Do you think this Jaguar will ever see the road again?
At least the mice gave you a head start in getting rid of the wiring harness
Too long ago I “restored” a 76 XJ6C. I finally realized that one can never fix what was designed and built as junk. One could hear the thing rust at night. If this thing was free I wouldn’t take it. Absolutely the worst of 80+ cars I ever owned.
I had a bunch of these, back in the 80s from Series 1,2, and 3. I had various 6cyl, V12, models, and one Chev 350 conversion. I kept the 350 for 14 years.
I really likes the look, interior, and handling of a well-sorted XJ. Working on them was frustrating at times, with a bizarre combination of over-engineering, afterthought, redundant components, and goofy(and rust-prone) build quality. They could be made to run relatively well, but took alot of work.
The Series 2 models were credited for their significant contribution to the demise of most of Englands auto industry.
These cars were/are very common. BTW, after 1974, all XJ sedans were built as “long wheel-base models”.
While I did enjoy owning some of these cars, the selling part was always difficult. It was my experience that people that wanted these cars rarely had money to buy them. The market for these is very slim, and decent cars can be found very cheap, if you know where to look.
I regularly see cars like this in the $3,500 price range. Even if you do most of the work yourself, these cars are money pits.
That has to be an extra 0 in the price. This is an $1100 car, and even that, you would need to pay me $3000 to haul it away……
78 was not a kind year for Jaguar. Of course, 79 was even worse. Almost every car could have qualified for a recall of some kind and most for electrical issues. You had relays that ran relays that…well you get the idea.
As an aside, this process didn’t stop then either. Example – on a 95 XJS – the O2 sensor relay, if it goes out the relay for the fuel pump quits (yeah its one of those ‘ask me how I know” things).
Of all the XJ’s, the Series 2 is the worst of the bunch. I had a 74 with continual issues. The introduction of the Series 3 in 79 also had similar issues. I can’t remember which year but it was 80 or 81 that Jaguar didn’t import because of quality issues. But 82 was a “new beginning” of sorts. Quality was way up and issues were way down.
The seller needs to look at other sites as on a competitor’s site a low mileage pristine Series 3 with full docs just sold for $11,000. I would agree on this being an $1,100 car. But that said, I wouldn’t offer more than about $800 for it.
As an OBTW – I pulled parts from an 84 non-Federal XJ6 from a wrecking yard about a year ago. I know the yard manager and he said they gave $400 for it. It was a 56k car had beautiful wood and leather (both of which came home with me) as well as 7″ lights and Pepperpots (also came home with me)
“Yoopers” is a term for residents of the U.P. (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan; looks like craigslist uses that label for their U.P. site. The ad itself lists the location more specifically as Crystal Falls (under the map in the right-hand sidebar).
Later series 3 is better then former. Quality improved as
John Eagan took over as Manager of Jaguar. I had back
in the 90’s 3 of them and except regular oil changes all
worked.
This car is not of interest to import as perfect and trouble
free examples cost here the same.
Series 2 was the only made with long wheel base until
the X300 in 94-97
Run, don’t walk, away from this devil car. Arnie, from “Christine,” would be terrified of this thing.
I have owned a series II V-12 coupe xj for about 28 years. Beautiful car and terrible car. If they paid someone $5000 to take it away, that person would lose money trying to take it up to “just good enough to drive” again. Probably the only comperable financial pits I’ve had were my Peugeot 505 turbo-gas, and my citroen DS21 Pallas. The citron rusts like no other car. THe peugeot well it’s a peugeot. It probably is worth 1100 in parts for a better car, though.