Series 3 XJ6 and XJ12
In March 1979, the newly designed Series 3 XJ was released. It was a completely new model Jaguar in almost every way.
It's reported that the Series 3 was originally thought to be a limited production car, to bridge the gap into a completely redesigned XJ. But the Series 3 became one of Jaguar's most successful lines and produced the greatest number of cars to that point.
On the exterior, all of the body panels were changed. The roofline was raised, and an optional factory electric sunroof was added. All of the bumpers were changed to add fully rubber covers, with chrome fillers. Flush fitting door handles were also added.
The interior was completely changed as well. Electric seats, hidden seatbelts, deep pile carpeting, revised steering wheel, electric mirrors, central locking and cruise control were all added features.
The Series 3 XJ6 was still powered by the fuel injected 4.2L engine, but had seen major improvements.
Worldwide, the Series 3 was also offered in a 3.4L 6 cylinder and 5.3L V12. The Series 3 XJ12 wouldn't be imported to the US due to "CAFE" standards (Corporate Average Fuel Economy). This was basically a calculation of the fuel economy of all the cars being imported into the US by a particular manufacturer. Since the V12 was being supplied in the US, to meet the CAFE standards the XJ12 was not exported to the US as a production car. There were a few that made it into the US prior to the exclusion (numbers reported as few as 6, and as many as 47). However there are a few Series 3 XJ12 that have since been imported to the US from other markets, known as "grey market" cars.
The Series 3 XJ6 and XJ12 were constantly seeing changes during their production. There is essentially three different models within the Series 3 classification. The 1979 to 1982 1/2, 1982 1/2 to 1985, and 1986 to 1987 cars are very different.
The 1979 to 1982 1/2 cars retained a lot of the earlier Jaguar XJ styling inside. The dash still included a clock, and many of the switches still had a grey aluminum back plate.
In 1982 1/2 the clock was replaced with a trip computer, and the console underwent a major design change.
In 1986 major changes were made to the interior, including new stainless door sill plates, a new radio system, a new Kiekert locking system, and other various chromed fitments.
The Series 3 XJ6 was offered as a Base model, a Vanden Plas, and a Sovereign (as well as other business class models)
The upgraded Vanden Plas models offered different interior fitments, though the rest of the car was the same as the base. The most notable changes where newly designed seats, a walnut trimmed dash with recessed gauges, wood inserts in the door panels, wool carpeting, and rear reading lamps.
Through the years Vanden Plas models saw upgrades and changes to trim colors, trim stitching, and trim styling but remained the best that Jaguar had to offer.
In May 1987, the Last XJ6 Series 3 was produced. With it the 4.2L 6 cylinder that had had been in production since the early 1950s was also discontinued.
The Series 3 XJ12 continued in markets outside the US until November 1991. A special collection of Series 3 were produced in Canada and are known as the V12 Vanden Plas, the last 100.
The total production of the Series 3 XJ6, XJ12 and Daimler cars came to 177,243 cars.
Although the Series 3 XJ line was discontinued over 30 years ago, there is still a good supply of both new and used parts available.
To view my listings, see this link:
Series 3 XJ6 XJ12 New and Used Parts
|
|
|
