HAVE YOUR SAY
Did you spend more on your classic in 2011 than the previous year?
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| Jaguar XJ6 1991-1996 |
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Words: Chris Hope The XJS is definitely one of those machines that got better with age. Throughout its 21-year production life the big Jaguar coupe was the subject of constant tweaks and developments, moving from strength to strength so that by 1991 when the XJS was treated to its first official facelift it proved to be an infinitely superior grand tourer compared to the original machine of the Seventies. That’s why for this issue’s Buyer’s Guide we’ve decided to focus on the best of the breed the late-model XJS as opposed to the hyphenated XJ-S. This era of XJS coupés and convertibles feels better nailed together, include all the cabin finery you’d expect from a Jaguar and the AJ16 powerplant, without doubt the height of XJS six-pot motoring. Keeping any XJS on the road can be an expensive undertaking (and we’re not just talking about fuel here), but with a crowd of specialists to help with the more complex servicing and maintenance tasks, plus unrivalled club support when you feel the urge to tinker yourself, ownership isn’t as complex as some might think. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Bodywork
Starting at the front examine wheelarches, the leading edges of the front wings and valances for corrosion. Naturally, the sills (particularly sill edges) require careful inspection. If you spot any bubbling paintwork where they meet the base of the front wings then it’s inevitably due to water collecting behind the inner closing panel – meaning you’ll need to remove the splash panel to discover the true extent of the damage. Also consider the area surrounding the damper mountings as any corrosion here can be tricky to fix. The majority of panels that make up the XJS’s snout are bolt-on (bonnet, front wings, front lower valances and so on), but the same can’t be said of metal at the tail end of the car. For starters the rear wings, hidden slightly by the bumper, are welded into position and will be difficult to repair if they’ve begun to go crusty The bootlid can rust and inside the boot, the floor is vulnerable to battery acid leaks. Most parts for the XJS are plentiful, with trim parts easier to obtain for these later models.
Values: According to Dan Clarke from Clarkes Jaguar, a good price for a fair to first-rate ’90s XJS coupé would be somewhere between £10,000 and £12,000. Celebration models command a premium, as do the convertibles, which explains why low mileage soft-top Celebrations have been known to sell for over £20,000. Dave adds that if you’re looking for something that’s a bit more affordable then keep an eye out for the post-1993 ‘second facelift’ XJS coupés. They’re distinctive, thanks to those moulded bumpers, but can be had for as little as £6000.
Factfile Clubs Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club. Jaguar Drivers’ Club. 01582 419332, www.jaguardriver.co.uk Specialists ● Clarkes Jaguar, Sussex.
Insurance For a 1995 Jaguar XJS 4.0 Comprehensive cover, 25-year-old in Co. Durham, two years’ no claims, clean licence, 10,000 miles a year, main car, kept on driveway: £1600 (£250 excess) Quotes from Performance Direct (0844 5733504, www.performancedirect.co.uk)
Magazine Jaguar World Monthly, look for our sister title on the shelves of most good newsagents on the second Friday of every month, priced £4.60.
To read the rest of this buyers' guide see the November 2011 issue of Classic Car Mart - available to buy here. |
Fancy an XJS but can’t fund the thirst of the V12? Then you need one of the facelifted six-pot cars.
Although post-1991 shells are zinc-coated, which certainly improves rust resistance, examining an XJS for rot should still rate pretty highly on your inspection checklist. The good news is that over the years the later car’s monocoque shell has proven quite robust. There are though a number of areas that will need to be properly examined if you’re hoping to avoid future surprises.
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