Vehicle Description
The 1972 Jaguar XJ6 Series I sedan is a vintage family saloon with
the heart of a legendary E-Type. Beautifully styled and offering a
spirited driving experience, this powerful sedan is often thought
of as the best of the XK series of cars, retroactively referred to
as the "BMW M5 of the 1970s". This impeccably preserved/restored
example is exactly what you'd expect from England's most accessible
luxury marque, down to the quintessential British Racing Green
livery (a gorgeous, factory-correct respray), opulent interior
(restored wherever needed to an incredibly high standard), and
powerful, numbers-matching 4.2L DOHC Inline 6 drivetrain. Hailing
from a prominent collector's stable of high-end vehicles, this is
one of the finest Series I sedans we've ever seen, let alone
featured.
The long, sinuous lines of the first generation XJ6 have aged
gracefully and they're still cars that look like they should cost
thousands more than they do. The shape should look familiar to
anyone who has been paying attention to cars for the past 50 years
or so, and quite honestly, it still looks state-of-the-art and
absolutely amazing. Modern Jaguars are, well, modern (let's just
leave it at that), but this vintage car has elegance,
sophistication, and unparalleled confidence that the new designs
just can't match. The glossy British Racing Green paint emphasizes
the saloon's formality, and as you'd expect, it's deep and lustrous
in a way that modern finishes just can't quite match. It's obvious
this was an expensive respray - done right by the professionals at
Classic Showcase in California - and I dare say it potentially
looks better today than it did in 1972. Other than some very light
swirls left over from past car washes and microfiber towels rubbing
on the panels (and could you blame the former owner from wanting to
caress this beauty all the time?), we're talking about a finish
that is without any real flaw to speak of - and if any are located
somewhere, I'd wager a buff-and-wax would easily remedy them. The
car has obviously been well-maintained and remained out of the
elements for most of its life, and even though it's more than 50
years old, it shows barely any signs of use. One of the appealing
things about British cars in particular is their use of chrome;
it's not big and heavy like the Americans seem to prefer, but
rather tasteful accents that feel substantial. Touch the door
handles and they somehow feel heavy, the upright grille infers a
quiet gracefulness, and the bright trim around the windows has an
old-fashioned elegance that's frankly missing in today's automotive
world. The quad headlights, ancillary front grilles, and 'Leaper
Jaguar' badges are striking design elements that elevate this car's
curb appeal, as do the fang-like bumper guards, 'scowling'
taillights, and dual exhaust incorporated into the rear valance,
while the unusual features like the dual fuel caps flanking the
decklid remind everyone that Jaguar was building their cars unlike
anyone else in the world.
Interiors are a specialty of the British, and Jaguars in particular
have an immaculate blend of luxury and sport that's been their
appeal from the very beginning. The elegant Suede Green leather
seats were restored when the car was repainted, and the entire
interior remains in excellent condition, practically like a
brand-new car. Matching door panels, plush carpets, and the suede
headliner are all eminently tasteful and give the interior a hushed
feeling that's difficult to articulate yet instantly recognizable
the moment you climb in. All the wood that you see on the dash and
window sills is real wood, not some plastic facsimile, and vast
array of Smiths gauges, switches, and controls are all functioning.
Options include cold A/C that has been upgraded to modern
refrigerant, power windows, a telescoping wheel, and an original
British Leyland AM/FM radio that still sounds great. And as a grand
tourer, this Jag includes a spacious trunk that's outfitted to
stock and includes its original spare tire, jack, and tool kit.
Under the long hood beats the heart of an E-Type, a
numbers-matching 4.2 liter DOHC I6 that makes silky smooth power
rivaled only by an electric motor. The renowned XK series motor is
famous for its achievements both on-and-off the track, and this
particular engine was reportedly removed and rebuilt by a local
Jaguar shop in California during previous ownership, along with the
Borg Warner 3-speed automatic transmission and Stromberg
carburetors. Thanks to a major tune-up that included new engine
mounts, it's running like a top, offering the same legendary power,
reliability, and performance that made these cars so attractive to
the public and even earned it a reputation for being the getaway
car of choice for British criminals. The scintillating soundtrack
from the dual exhaust is a big part of the Jag's appeal, and you
can forget the unfair rumors about British electrical systems, as
this car starts quickly and easily and drives so well that you'll
forget it's 50 years old. It has a nicely detailed look under the
hood that's not over-restored, and the same can be said of the
super-solid undercarriage, and with power steering and power
4-wheel disc brakes it's an absolute treat to drive. The suspension
ideally blends handling and ride comfort in a way no other
automaker has ever really been able to duplicate, and the
short-wheel base body rides atop chrome wheels wrapped in 205/70/15
Michelin radials with plenty of tread.
A stunning-looking car that's every bit as wonderful to drive,
don't miss a great opportunity to experience the last Jag model
designed by Sir William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar. Call
today!
