Jaguar went through some difficult times as part of the British Leyland empire. Becoming independent again in 1984, Jaguar's fortunes began to rise. It was not to last. Cash poor, in order to survive Jaguar needed a strong parent company and Ford purchased Jaguar in 1988.

JAGUAR PRODUCTION CARS 1969 - 1987

1969-1980: The Leyland Years
1969-73 XJ6 Series I: Introduced in 1968, the new XJ6 was a radical departure from the previous Jaguar saloons. It set a new standard of refinement and a car by which others would be judged for many years to come. Compared to the competition of the day, the XJ6 was faster, quieter and even more refined. It also handled significantly better. Using the 4.2L XK engine (245 bhp), it was one of the world's fastest production sedans.
Model by MILESTONE MINIATURES 1/43
1969-73 Daimler Sovereign: Jaguar used the Sovereign name from the 420 when they introduced the Daimler version of the XJ6 in 1969. In Europe, the Sovereign name would be replaced by the Double-Six which was introduced in 1972 with the V12 engine. The XJ range of Jaguar/Daimler sedans set new standards of refinement and a car by which others would be judged for many years. This is a color called Green Sand.
Model by VANGUARDS 1/43
1969-73 XJ6 Series I: The new XJ6 was popular with law enforcement as evidenced by the Dunbartonshire Police liveried example. Most of the police versions used the 2.8L version of the XK six-cylinder engine, as well as Ambla rather than leather interior. Still, it would have been a better unit patroling the Scottish countryside than a Morris! Like the Daimler nameplate, the N. American market did not receive the smaller engine.
Model by VANGUARDS 1/43

1971-74 E-Type V12 2+2: I always thought that these cars would have been a great basis for a GT car to contest Le Mans. Alas, BMC and then British Leyland had no funds to finance such a project and the car would probably have been too heavy to be a serious contender. Although, Group 44 showed what a heavy V12 roadster could do. None the less, these are very refined GT cars, with amazing performance.
Model by AUTOART 1/43
1971-74 E-Type V12 OTS: I know from first hand experience how much fun these cars are to drive, mostly due to the V12 power! Introduced in 1971, the V12 E-Type was in production until 1975. The E-Type gave way to the all-new XJS, but it would be the last convertible from Jaguar until 1991. The spirit of the E-Type was found again with the introduction of the XK8 in 1996 and performance of the V12 with the XKR entry into production in 1998.
Model by Road Signature 1/18
1971-74 E-Type V12 OTS : Along with the coupe, the Series 3 convertible E-Type with its big V12 was the final variation of the iconic Jaguar sports car. Some feel the V12 E-Type had gotten too big and was no longer a proper sports car and the Series 3 was built on the 2+2 floor pan. The larger wheelbase made it a more refined touring car and it seemed to take a lot less drama getting to its top speed of 150 mph.
Model by AUTOART 1/43

1972-73 XJ12 Series I: The XJ12 version of the XJ sedans, featuring simplified grille treatment, and powered by a 5.3 L V12 engine was launched in 1972. Less than 2,500 of these powerful sedans were made in the short wheel base version and less than 800 in the long wheel base version, also introduced in 1972. This makes the Series I LWB a very rare car, as Series II XJ production started in 1973. The paint color on this car is called Lavender Blue.
Model by VANGUARDS 1/43
1974-78 XJ12L Series II: In 1973, Jaguar introduced the Series II XJ. Apart from improved aesthetics, such as a small grille, there was little changed on the mechanical end of the new series of cars. The V12 was agin offered in 5.3L and the sedan was offered on the long wheel base chassis designated by the L. Absorbed into British Leyland, Jaguars of this period suffered build problems due to the quality and labor woes rippling throughout the British auto industry.
Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43
1974-78 XJ12 Series II: It was only a matter of time before the E-Type's V12 appeared in the XJ sedan, which happened in 1973. The XJ sedan was designed with the 5.3L V12 in mind and V12 production in sedans continued up until 1994, long after the E-Type retired. This is a long wheelbase sedan, excellent touring car which rides and drives like a dream, as long as you keep that big engine sorted! The V12 engine lived on in Jaguar sedans up until 1997 when it was dropped in favor of the pending V8.
Model by SOLIDO 1/43
1971-74 Daimler Double-Six Vanden Plas: Jaguar purchased Daimler in 1960 and from that time, the saloons branded with the Daimler badge were always a bit more upscale than the Jaguar counter parts (note the vinyl roof.) The Double-Six was the V12 powered version in the Daimler range, the Sovereign the 6-cyl. version of the XJ. Although the Sovereign name was transferred to Jaguar for the U.S. market, the Double Six name remained with Daimler throughout Series III production, which continued until 1992.
Model by VANGUARDS 1/43

The XJ Coupes

1975-77 XJC: Although introduced in 1973, it was not until 1975 that Jaguar introduced this beautiful coupe built on the small wheelbase XJ6 Series II. Powered by either a 4.2L six, or 5.3L 12-cylinder engine, the XJC was the last Jaguar model to have the direct design influence of Sir William Lyons, Jaguar's founder.
Model by NEO 1/18
Our 1976 XJC: This is an original example which is driven regularly. Here it is shown one of the times we brought it to the Vancouver, BC All-British Field Meet, a round trip of over 900 miles. It made its last appearance there in 2018.
1975-77 XJ6C: Except for the RHD and European bumpers, this is almost an exact replica of the XJ6C in our garage. Only 6,487 XJ6C's were made and 1,855 XJ12C's, with numbers from 500-1,000 known to still exist. These are great touring cars and the XJC is the only car I have owned twice. Regretting having sold it the first time, I bought it back at the first chance!
Model by SMTS (factory build) 1/43
1975-77 XJC 5.3: Without the vinyl roof, the XJC has a cleaner line and it is no wonder that some owners had them removed. 1977 was the last of the three years the XJC was produced. Today they are a very rare car.
Model by MINICHAMPS

1975-77 XJC: Stunning in this color combination, It is not a correct color for the XJC. In any case, in my biased opinion the XJC is one of the best looking production coupes ever made.
Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43
1975-77 XJC 5.3: Dinky produced this version in a scale similar to the Corgi Models and with similar plastic wheels, popular at the time with the kids. Its in a racing type livery and has the look of the coupes racing at that time. Dinky made a prototype of Steed's XJC from the Avengers that used this models molds, but they never put it into production.
Model by DINKY 1/35

1975-77 XJC: Even the police wanted one! I have a Coast Guard version in a box somewhere as well!
Model by CORGI 1/36

1976 XJC 5.3 Broadspeed: The New Avengers TV series aired originally in 1976-1977 and the Broadspeed XJC was chosen to replace John Steed's aging Bentley. A road interior was installed, along with a new BRG paint job and gold striping, but it remained basically as raced. It even retained the race car's wheels and tires!
Model by ACE 1/43


1976 XJC 5.3: This model is a replica of the 5.3L car created for the TV series The New Avengers and is character John Steed's car. Made by Broadspeed who built and raced the XJC, with its flared fenders, and V12, it is quite the potent machine! You can see Steed happily at the wheel, motoring along on his way to solve another crime.
Model by SMTS 1/43

1975-77 XJC: This is the same color combination of BRG with black vinyl roof and biscuit interior that of our 1976 XJC
Model by IXO 1/43 1/36
1975-77 XJC
Model by IXO
Our 1975 XJC
1975-77 XJC: Jaguar did not produce a Series 2 XJ in this lovely shade of green, but if they had, it would have been smashing!
Model by REPLICARS 1/43 1/36

1975-77 XJC: Another larger scale coupe, this one by Corgi. Production XJC's came in fifteen different colors, some very 70's: British Racing Green; Carriage Brown; Dark Blue; Fern Grey; Greensand; Heather; Juniper Green; Lavender; Moroccan Bronze; Old English White; Opalescent Silver Grey; Regency Red; Sable Brown; Squadron Blue; Turquoise.
Model by CORGI 1/36
1975-77 Daimler Double Six Coupe: Jaguar offered the Daimler in both 4.2L and 5.3L versions of the XJ Coupe alongside the Jaguar models. Other than badging, the cars were almost identical and the Daimler cars suffered from the same wind buffeting of the pillarless side windows as the Jaguar version.
Model by NEO 1/18
1975-77 XJC: While not an acurate color of blue for the XJC and production cars did not come with Jaguar leapers on the hood (points deduction in concours!) this is still a striking example of a 5.2L V12 car.
Model by IXO
1975-77 XJC
Model by IXO

The XJ-S
1975-81 XJ-S Coupe: The XJ-S (XJ-Sport)was introduced in 1975 with the fuel-injected 5.3L V-12 engine of the E-Type and built on the short wheel base XJ platform. Designed by Malcolm Sayer who had designed the E-Type, which ceased production in 1974. The XJ-S replaced the E-Type as a grand touring car to meet changing market demands and to reach new markets. It was also the first time Jaguar did not offer a convertible model of a sports car/GT (a full convertible did not appear until 1987).
Model by MATRIX 1/43
1981-91 XJ-S HE Coupe: The contemporary styling of the XJ-S did not create the same type of sensation as the E-Type and some considered it ugly. Now thirty plus years later, the lines of the car are unmistakable as Jaguar. This car is a 1981 model, with the HE engine modifications introduced that year, which gave better performance and fuel optimization. In its various updates, the first major in 1991, the XJS ended production in 1996, replaced by the XK8 built on the same platform.
Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43
1981 XJ-S HE Lynx Eventer : Lynx was one of the several specialist coach builders to build a Jaguar estate car, but the most noteable one for its version based on the XJ-S. Lynx produced a total of 67 very attractive estate variants of the XJS, called the Eventer. These cars perhaps have the best lines of any XJS variant and when powered by the V12 HE engine producing 300 hp, and a top speed of 150 mph. The world's fastest station wagon? Lynx Eventers are sought after today and are on eof the best looking non-Jaguar estate styling exercises. Jaguar would not introduce an estate until the X-Type in the early 1980's.
Model by PREMIUM X 1/43
1984 XJ-S HE Arden AJ3 Station Car : The German firm Arden built five AJ3 Station Car's on 1984 XJ-S platforms. Visually very similar to the Lynx Eventer, the Arden cars were perhaps slightlt better appointed and had a better overall aerodynamic shape. Why more than five were not built is unknown, but Arden made a very attractive package from the XJ-S and what Jaguar could have done had they the resources and capacity to make a shooting brake from a great touring car.
Model by ALEZAN 1/43

1980-1988: Independent Again!
1982 XJ6 Series III: In late 1979 the XJ was facelifted again, and was known as the "Series III". Using the long-wheelbase version of the car, the XJ6 incorporated a subtle redesign by Pininfarina. Production of the Series III ended in 1987 and it was the last production car to have the 4.2L XK six-cyl. engine. 1982-87 are the most desirable of the XJ sedans. This model is one of the few of these cars made to date and is in a rare gold color.
Model by POLITOYS 1/25
1982 Daimler Double Six SIII: When the XJ sedan series was face lifted again they were introduced as the Series III (or Series 3)version in 1979. The Daimler Double Six remained the up-market 5.3L V12 powered variation of the XJ sedans and remained in production until 1992, alongside the Jaguar XJ12. When Jaguar introduced the XJ40, it did not introduce a V12 variant of that car, so the older body style remained in production.
Model by NEO 1/43
1985 XJ6 Series III: Having owned a SIII car, they are indeed exceptional touring sedans. With the end of production in 1987-88, making way for the XJ40 and the new engine, the venerable XK engine had been in production for 40 years in its various forms. These cars are very affordable classics and will continue to be under-appreciated. When Jaguar introduced the X300 in 1994, it was designed with many of the styling cues from the classic shape of the Series III cars.
Model by NEO 1/43

1982 XJ6 Series III:
Model by LS COLLECTIBLES 1/18
1982 XJ6 Series III:
Model by LS COLLECTIBLES 1/18
1982 XJ6 Series III:
Model by LS COLLECTIBLES 1/18
1982 XJ6 Series III:
Model by LS COLLECTIBLES 1/18



To continue to another section of the collection, select one of the following:

THE SIGNATURE PROJECT & RACING DIORAMAS

RACING SUPPORT VEHICLES, TRANSPORTERS & OTHER TRUCKS

JAGUAR RACING CARS:
1950's
1960 - 1979
1980 - 1989
1990's - Present

JAGUAR AT LE MANS

JAGUAR AUTOMOBILIA

JAGUAR PRODUCTION CARS:
PRE-WAR to 1959
1960 to 1968
1969-1987
1988 - Present

JAGUAR CONCEPT CARS

EACH JAGUAR MODEL FROM 1935 IN PRODUCTION ORDER

FERRARI RACING CARS:
1949 - 1959
1960 - 1969
1970 - 1979
1980 - Current

FERRARI FORMULA ONE

FERRARI PRODUCTION CARS

PORSCHE RACING & PRODUCTION CARS:
PORSCHE RACING 1950's & 60's
PORSCHE RACING 1970's
PORSCHE RACING 1980's
PORSCHE RACING 1990 - Current

PORSCHE PRODUCTION CARS

FORMULA 1, GRAND PRIX, INDY:
1900 - 1959
1960 - 1969
1970 - 1979
1980 - PRESENT

THE TRIPLE CROWN OF ENDURANCE RACES:
THE 24 HOURS of LE MANS 1923-2019
THE 12 Hours of SEBRING WINNERS
THE 24 HOURS of DAYTONA WINNERS

GREAT AUTOMOTIVE MAKES:
ABARTH
ALFA ROMEO
ASTON MARTIN
AUDI
AUSTIN HEALEY & HEALEY
BMW
CHAPARRAL
CHEVROLET POWER
DATSUN/NISSAN
FORD POWER - GT40's, MUSTANGS, MIRAGE & MORE
LANCIA
LOLA SPORTS CARS
LOTUS
McLAREN
MASERATI
MERCEDES BENZ
MG CARS
SHELBY'S COBRAS, DAYTONAS, FORD GT40's & MUSTANGS
TOYOTA
TRIUMPH

RACING, RALLYE, SPORTS, GT & CLASSIC CARS
RACING SPORTS, GT & PROTOTYPE CARS 1945 to 1959
RACING SPORTS, GT & PROTOTYPE CARS 1960 to 1969
RACING SPORTS, GT & PROTOTYPE CARS 1970 to 1979
RACING SPORTS, GT & PROTOTYPE CARS 1980 to Current
LAND SPEED RECORD CARS
SPORTS. GT & TOURING CARS
VETERAN, CLASSIC & SPECIAL INTEREST CARS

DRIVER TRIBUTES:
THE OLD IRISH RACING HALL OF FAME
JUAN MANUEL FANGIO TRIBUTE
STIRLING MOSS TRIBUTE
DAN GURNEY TRIBUTE
JIM CLARK TRIBUTE
WORLD DRIVER & CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONS 1950 - 1985

GREAT RACING TEAMS:
BRUMOS RACING TEAM
CUNNINGHAM RACING TEAM
ECURIE ECOSSE
GROUP 44, Inc.

OLD IRISH AIR FORCE:
HISTORIC AIRCRAFT

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