www.jec.org.uk

I have had the pleasure of owning many different Jaguar models. This year following remission from cancer I decided to treat myself to an XJS Celebration 4.0 Auto. The car is wonderful and has given me much pleasure.

This latest (and last) incarnation of the XJS is without doubt the best put together of the marque, however it seems to be disregarded by motoring journalists.

James May recently presented the XJS on Top Gear, never once was the Celebration mentioned or the fact that the many gremlins which plagued the earlier models had been addressed. Further to this, I have just read an article in "Classic Car Mart" which compared the various Jaguar models, however when it came to the XJS only the V12 and the 3.6 were mentioned leaving the reader with the impression they were the only models produced. Even the performance, fuel consumption figures and therefore present and future values were incorrect.

Why is this, as you can probably tell I am quite annoyed regarding this obvious and ignorant jounalistic view.

There you are, I've got it off my chest. Anyone else feel the same ?

Nelson 1952

A slightly belated welcome to the XJS Forum to you from me

I'm with you all the way on this one, here is the text of a letter I wrote a while ago to Andrew English, Motoring Correspondent from The Daily Telegraph following an article he wrote on eighties cars in the motoring section.........

link here
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/274 ... elves.html

Re Brace Yourselves!

Dear Andrew English,

I read your article in last Saturdays paper with interest and amusement, there were some great and some awful cars produced in the eighties, much like every other decade I would guess.

However, I have a question for you.

Why is it, even now, journalists love to knock the Jaguar XJS? Twelve years after production finished, when surely it has proven itself to be a great GT Car of the seventies, eighties and nineties?

OK, it wasn’t an E-Type replacement, but then it was never intended to be, though journalists at the time expected that and panned it accordingly. The earlier models drank fuel like it was going out of fashion, but the XJS ran for nineteen years and was a completely different car above and under the skin at the end from the first carburettor V12’s. Initially sales were poor and Jaguar contemplated ending production, the intervention of Sir William Lyons however resulted in an improved car in many different ways, trim, engines, body detail etc. and sales picked up. Subsequent development by Jaguar and later under Ford ownership produced what I think was one of the greatest 2+2 coupes. The convertible versions are even now well sought after and command high prices.

At the close of production in 95/96 it was the most successful car that Jaguar had ever made, a record only broken relatively recently with the Ford inspired “massed produced“ “S-Type” and “X-Type” models.

I run a 1995 XJS 4.0 Coupe. I use it every day and do approximately 15,000 miles a year in it at an average fuel economy of 25mpg. Current mileage is 166,000 miles but I think it’s just nicely run in!

It is a comfortable, fast, sure footed cat. Smooth, quiet, relaxing, beautiful, reliable and not in any way as shoddy, boring and downright ugly as some of the new cars that are recommended in the motoring press. I struggle to equate it to the image of the XJS which is still pushed by journalists as thirsty, unreliable, impractical, ugly, expensive to maintain, and generally a car that only a snobbish member of the Golf Club would own, and only then because they have no taste.

Perhaps you would like to come and drive my XJS and write an article about it - which in a small way may set the record straight.

You are very welcome to do so.

Yours Sincerely,

Needless to say I never received a reply.

Regards
Tony

I sent a simular comment to Practical Classics regarding an article they did, they did send a reply all credit to them for that.
See copy below of emails

REPLY
Hi Michael,

I fully agree with your points on the XJS.

An early car was originally booked for the photo-shoot, but unfortunately it dropped out at short notice. In the whirlwind of getting the issue to the printer with several staff at home with flu, I completely forgot to update the text.

Fortunately, this is the last archive feature from Keith Adams that we’re planning to use, so normal ‘shoot then write’ service will now resume.

An LPG-converted 4.0 could be a perfect credit-crunch beater, with prices currently at a ridiculous low. Food for thought...

Best wishes,

Sam


--
Sam Glover
Features Writer
Practical Classics Magazine
01733 468392






On 22/12/08 12:17, "Neil Campbell" <Neil.Campbell@practicalclassics.co.uk> wrote:


From: Michael & Tracy Ann Burnside
Sent: 20 December 2008 22:13
To: Practical Classics
Subject: The Gaffers Choice

MY EMAIL TO PRACTICAL CLASSICS

Hi

I have just read with interest your feature The Gaffers Choice in the Jan 2009 issue, on page 28 your title 1978 Jaguar XJS is let down by the picture being of a post 1990 facelift XJS.

Although your engine picture is of a V12 it is a shame you did not mention that the later 4 litre AJ16 powered cars are more than able to return 25mpg + with similar performance to the V12 thus making them a very Practical Classic.

I think your magazine is excellent however you will loose credibility with your readers if you mis- match info to pictures, a picture of a 1978 XJS would have made your article much more credible and a sub note advising of the 4 litre even better.

The above comments I have made are to be taken as constructive criticism and not a complaint.

Merry Christmas

Michael

Like manu things in life you cannot really appreciate it until you have done it yourself. An XJS is not easily described in words - I bought mine because my wife loves them! The kids love the car and just cannot get over the length of the bonnet - I love opening it and looking at that engine - how many cars can provide that expanse of engine - this is another of those many parts that make the car - a straight 6 is expensive to make so not many cars have them - it is definately the dogs b*******s.
My celebration is a manual which is awesome - I just love flooring it in first and by the time I shift to second the car is really moving - I have had a few modern mercedes try and keep up which they can eventually but they don't stand a chance for the first few seconds whilst they wait for their automatic fluid to keep up. Manual BMWs are a good match but the manual 4.0 xjs is truley amazing value - I am pleased not many people know this as I would not have been able to afford it otherewise.

I can go on and on but just one last thing - after a long run I find I arrive very relaxed and smiling. I just cannot get over how quiet and smooth the car is - how many modern sports cars can say this and I have driven a few.
So let us not moan - this is our secret; let them remain in ignorance!

Oh one last thing - I promise! Had the car over 4 years and it just passed recent MOT as it has done the last 3. It now has 133,000 on the clock. The previous owner obviously enjoyed driving it too.