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Hi chaps,

I nipped over to my local scrap yard today to get a part for my Rover but I was amazed to find three V-12 XJ-Ss there.

The first one I found was a 1988 car with an amazing 22k miles on the clock and its complete history folder sitting on the passenger seat. What a terrible waste! It did have a bit of corrosion to the bodywork but I couldn't work out what had taken it there in the first place. Hopefully not the scrappage scheme!

The second was a lovely black A-Reg (1983) one, complete with HE badge on the boot and 88k on the clock. The interior was in super condition, minus the headlining and I've got plans to nip back there on Saturday to take the Lucas driving lamps, the stainless tailpipe finishers and a couple of other bits.

The third was a Zircon Blue 1988 car, complete with TWR bodykit, including the rear spoiler.... There wasn't a whole lot left of that one.

It's almost unheard of to find one XJ-S in these parts, let alone 3 at the same time!

Could be the scrappage scheme, this has been the down fall of many good classics. The good news is as the marginal XJS find their way to the scrapyard it should lift the prices of the good ones left.

Surely XJS prices can not stay so low for much longer? Classic looks, true GT capabilities, fine interiors...

Surely XJS prices can not stay so low for much longer? Classic looks, true GT capabilities, fine interiors...

Sad to say, I think that XJS prices will continue to fall. They are probably at their highest now.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but I find very few people under the age of thirty who think the XJS is anything other than a curiosity whose time has long past. They certainly aren't attracted to them.

My V12 Daimler on the other hand gets much more in the way of approval. Go figure.

The same can be said of many classics. Most people do not have a clue, they could not spot the difference between an XK120 and XK150 however the price of these cars does not appear to be falling.

It always fascinates me how ingrained the so called experts opinions are on all cars and manufacturers. BMW handle well, Alfas fall apart, Mercs are built to last, Volvos boxy but good etc.

The XJS was perceived as a disappointment after the E Type and that has really stuck.

Not that I am complaining as it means I can afford a fast and comfortable great GT car for weekend cruising.

almcl makes a good point.

I have gone and figured, xjs prices may well keep falling but who has bought a XJS in the last how ever many years to make money,I bought my 93 4.0 nearly ten years ago because I liked it not as an investment, I accepted it would loose money and keep on loosing money and I have never regreted buying it and have no intention of selling it,beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.

The same applies to the Daimler v12 I can't believe many under thirty year olds will buy a Daimler v12, saying it is nice and buying are two completely different things.

All Jaguars and Daimlers from this era in the present economic climate are loosing money it is just a fact of life. Just drive the Jaguar or Daimler and enjoy it.

Regards Mark

... The same applies to the Daimler v12 I can't believe many under thirty year olds will buy a Daimler v12..


Haha - I'm just thirty and if I could afford the fuel then I'd buy a V-12 Daimler XJ-40 like a shot!! But I realise that I'm in the minority.

Just an update in case anyone wants any V-12 parts in the Cambridge area - the yard where these cars are is:

Beck Row Auto Dismantlers and Car Spares in Mildenhall.

I nipped over there today and took some choice parts - Lucas driving lamps, a pair of stainless tailpipe finishers, various switches and badges. Sadly the front wings were not up to much but there are two good tailgates and perhaps some doors that would be worth saving.

Prices were pretty good too - £40 for all that stuff.

I did not buy my XJS as an investment either. I bought it for long distance summer touring in total comfort.

I am not convinced that all XJS prices are falling. I think for the good cars prices have stabilized. A similar thing has happened to Porsche 911 (964) prices they have fixed around £15k for good ones and have been there for a couple of years.

Dear SimonR

Sorry to be the bringer of bad news Simon but you are like the most of rest of us now and are over 30 now so no longer qualify a "minority" buyer.

I also would like a Daimler xj40 v12 very tempting at around £2-3k.
as like yourself am in the younger buyer catgory myself being nearer 30 than 70.

Best Regards Mark.

An interesting Blog this one..About 37 years ago (Yes I am old) I ran a 1964 3.4 "S Type" for a short while, I think I paid around £180 for it at the time. My then boss thought very little of this model saying

"They smash them up on The Sweeney every week, that shows how little they are worth"

Of course now the old "S Type" fetches a good few quid, as so many have now been scrapped, as in the 70's they were not seen as one of the desirable Jaguars.

I feel the XJS is probably suffering the S Type's fate at this time and that in due course its value as one of Jaguar's unique grande tourers will rise in proportion to its rarity as only the good ones will survive. In the meantime it's our fortune that such a fabulous machine is such good value.

Just a quick comment on V12 XJ-S values. I believe that a good example XJ-S with a low mileage and strong history will always command a premium. I don't think it is just an over 30-something thing; it is probably more of a case of many under 30's not being able to afford to run a V12 XJ-S!

I am fortunate enough to have a private car parking space outside our office complex. I often get compliments from younger folks passing through when parking-up the XJ-S; just as much attention as the near-by Porsche 911 ('89 Carrera 4) and "baby" Aston Martin V8 (2007).

Same here, I occasionally take the cat to work and it always attracts favourable comments from work colleagues of all ages. The XJS is unique in both design and expectations, a real one-off with classic looks.

I for one am quite pleased that they do not command a high value as it keeps the car realistic and can be used as an every day car. I worry that in a few years when they start to become scarce the price of parts will soar- I hope not and enough people keep an interest in them as they are an awesome car!

What upsets me is the fact that these scrapped XJS's are more than likely in a better condition than mine was when I bought it
It would really upset me to see what I class as a restorable XJS in a breakers yard, and it really annoys me when I think that some people just get rid of their old cars to breakers, at least if they are put on auction sites like ebay a restorer could get it back to life.

What upsets me is the fact that these scrapped XJS's are more than likely in a better condition than mine was when I bought it

or mine now

hi guys, sorry to be a bit negative, but we should be grateful these three jags were still actually there in the scrapyard! they don't generate much business for scrappies unless the yard specialises and advertises as such. They also take up valuable room which could be used for a 'modern' POS which generate more money quicker. they also weigh a lot and are generally just chucked straight in the crusher for weight value. so please keep that scrappy happy and keep being a good customer!
i run a scrapyard and have only kept the two xjs in my yard solely because i run one myself. i get so few calls for bits they would be a waste of space to just keep coz theyre pretty.
also there are people out there with no idea what gems they get when they inherit uncle herberts 'classic car',which is maybe why these three are there. i know it is odd but not everyone knows the joys of an xjs, some people prefer (shock horror) vauxhalls or french rubbish. so they won't bother with the cost and effort of an attempted ebay sale when mr scrapyard offers them quick cash so they can buy their new eurobox.
sorry to be so negative but i get to see the 'other' side of society as a scrapyard chick.
cheers Tara