One of the most beautiful cars in the world, I have owned two, the V12 I struggled to live with on fuel costs, I swapped it for a manual 3.6 and it was possibly one of the best cars I have ever owned !!
Hi Rob - I bought it in the summer of 2015. I think values have gone up a little since then, but not too much - there are still sensibly priced ones around.
Great video and I absolutely love the XJS. They are so different to anything more modern yet they're not too old to be a real pain to run, with carb balancing etc. All their problems are easily sorted & I think they are going to attract a real following. There's just something about an excessively long 2 door low slung coupe that is great.
Many Thanks, bought a 1989 V12 last year from DD Classics in London with just under 18,000 miles on the clock! My favourite car of all time, just sitting in it puts a smile on my face!! Peace From London. 🙏
It is such a beautiful car. Just the fact that they managed to fit a V12 under that low bonnet is proof that cars don't have to be big and fat like the cars of today ;) I have an XKR -98 in my garage, but there's been a few times I've been tempted to get an XJS instead.
Thoroughly enjoyed your words and pictures on this car. Some family were involved in the body engineering on the XJS and it is special. I still think it is 10 years behind the 928 in terms of industrial design, productionisation (that's not a word, it it?) and build quality, but it is still magical and so understated. Built for a world where labels were on the inside.
Brave of you I would be wary of buying a cheao XJ-S. I love the Xj -S would love a 3.6 manual ot a very rare early v12 manual. The fact that others don’t like it just makes it affordable (at the moment) for those that do.
I nearly bought one of these back in the Nineties. A '79 car, solid, but untidy. '12 if you boot it, 15 if you don't', he said. £800 to me. I should have taken it...😏
Interesting review. These are often unloved but then it's not that long ago the sane could be said for the E type. Best of all that means these are an accessible bargain for anyone wanting to experience a classic GT car.
Thanks for the fantastic video. The XJ-S is like no other car, both in terms of design and driving experience. The early press on this car missed the point completely and painted it black from the start. It’s an epic car. It’s sole function is to offer ultra luxurious continent crossing capability in a sleek, elegant and understated package. I recently acquired a 1977 model and for me the early styling is the nicest with its lack of wood and chrome.
I have an '89 XJS V12 that looks very much like your car. It has a knock in the rear rt side of the engine that disappears when pointed up hill. Can someone tell me where to look for this problem. I know it has something to do with the oil. Thanks!
Great Video of a wonderful car! Although I love my XK8 I have to admit: the XJS has always been kind of my "secret love"! And yours is simply gorgeous - I like the wheels, the colour and most of all: the unique original design - before the facelift of the nineties in my opinion ruined the rear part of the car. Greets from Vienna!
Gruß Gott! Thanks Christian - I definitely agree with you about the XJS facelift. I love Vienna, although I haven’t been there for several years, and an XK8 must be an extremely stylish way to travel around amongst all that lovely architecture. Plus that glorious V8 sound. Mmmmm.
the flying buttresses were there because initially it was supposed to be mid engined. due to the bolocks that was the uk car industry at the time they redesigned it to be front engined.
I owned a v12 manual xjs for 10 years and loved it. Had much fun with it as a road car and then a highly modified and very competitive track and race car. Wish I still had it!!!
Ooh, a manual V12 is a rare beast. I imagine that was huge fun. I seem to recall Autocar driving a manual XJ12 series 3 all the way from Land’s End (or perhaps London) to John O’Groats in top gear, such was the torque.
Fair point Dan. They aren’t complicated like, say, a Mercedes R129 but they do have their quirks...plus it’s pretty crowded under the bonnet/hood as there’s 12 of everything. I’m lucky to have a really good local specialist, Mister Matic in Swansea. In fact it’s going there next week for its annual check, so I’ll do a follow up film on that soon.
my boss had a brand new one in 1977 and when i drove it i fell inlove with Jag Today I run and late XK and still love every min the XJX is a true GT car built to drive to Monaco by Directors i the late 1970 s the big draw back was reliability
I’m very late to watching this video, but wanted to comment on how good it is. That drone shot above the car highlights how the bonnet creases align with the flying buttresses - something you would never notice from ground level.
@@GrandThriftAuto I've heard the v12 is scary to work on. The fuel injected 4.2 s6 in the xj6 s3 is the best 'compromise' in performance, thirst and being easy to maintain but the xjs didn't have a smaller engine option for 11 years.
@@charlesmacgilchrist3648 I tend to farm out the difficult jobs on the V12, it is a bit intimidating. It’s not a particularly complicated engine, there’s just an awful lot of it. An S3 XJ6 4.2 is a lovely thing, I had one once.
This is a lot like Harry's garage with production values and good journalism but with a small chance in hell of me owning one of these cars. Looking forward to more uploads
Fantastic video. What a pleasure to listen your knowledgeable commentary. Rare to find a review by someone who actual knows his topic as opposed to lazily regurgitating old stereotypes..
Thanks David, that means a lot and is certainly what I’m aiming to do! There’s a lot of rubbish talked about cars, not least the XJ-S, and I am keen to bring a fresh perspective where I can on the cars that interest me - and hopefully you.
The leather came from Argentina.....where barbed wire fences are extremely rare. Both leather and wood were worked at Brown's Lane, the woodworking 'shed' was an awful place to be, dust everywhere and, the leather shop stank so much, one's clothes took on the smell as a reminder hours later. I always enjoyed working with Jaguar R&D, really nice guys and into cars....which sounds a tad odd but when visiting many OEMs, the cars were simply a means to a profit. Many of the Jag engineers were into their motorsports, rallying bring the most popular.
Drove a XJR-S 6.0 black in my 20's and it was black with a body kit and an amazing performance. Six weeks plus later it was written off at Bristol airport and depressing as I collected it on a spec lift. Believe it was 340bhp or more and massive torque.
A sympathetic, funny and affectionate review of a strange dinosaur. Be careful not to describe a buttress as a flying buttress. It seems that car enthusiasts are seldom architects or historians. The Merak has flying buttresses; this car does not. Nonetheless, a very engaging look at a car that is deeply misunderstood by many. In truth, it was a lardy whale on a time of salmon, but was not without charm. Chapeau!
I owned a H reg 3.6 XJS a few years ago and honestly can’t say it was a great motor leaks in the footwells bad build quality certainly wouldn’t recommend one .
Agreed, they’re my favourite too, although I quite like the later 80s cross spokes as well. People get very excited about the early Kent alloys, but they don’t do it for me.
My mother had the V12, I took out a few times for a spin, I thought I was a pretty good driver for a 17 year old. That was until I spun it in the wet. No damage thank god, I drove it home like a granny and never touched it again.
Ha! To be fair you might well have been a pretty good driver for a 17 year old, it probably wouldn’t have driven home if I’d spun it when I was that age.
It is! I do have a trailer, for transporting non-running cars, but I haven’t towed it with the XJ-S so far - I imagine it’s ideal if you want to get about 2 miles per gallon 😁
What a brilliant way to spend ten minutes...I'm not prone to envy...I prefer to think I'm enjoying and sharing your obvious love for the car. Lovely colour and I to really love the starfish alloys for their simplistic robust style...enjoy for years to come...but if you decide to sell..!.I'd also make use of the tow bar...again brilliant
I had the automatic tranny in my '92 XJS V12 replaced with a Tremec six-speed manual. It was absolutely transformative, making a great auto an order of magnitude better. Sadly, I sold it when I moved to a location where I had no place to do my own maintenance. My favorite auto.
Oh no !. I have fallen down the rabbit hole of your back catalogue ! Some parts of this would show up the BL in house marketing team in it's professionalism. I was especially impressed when you got your drone out & waxed lyrical about the car's qualities. Being an impressionable teenager with raging hormones I used to watch the New Avengers. When I wasn't drooling over Purdey I seem to remember Gambit had a red XJS. Also recall Ian Ogilvy had a white one in The Saint reboot. Guess you must channel your inner "smooth dude" when you get behind the wheel of yours. Only disappointment for me was that you had unhitched the super unleaded fuel bowser from the tow bar that was an essential for owners of the V12. Another immensely enjoyable video. Thank you for your endeavours.
Delighted you’re enjoying the videos! I would probably have to watch these early one from behind my fingers. With you on the New Avengers, especially Purdey.
Remove the first exhaust boxes and replace with straight pipe, the volume will only increase a little in normal driving but it will sound wonderful especially when getting toward the red line! It's an easy diy job to fabricate and fit.
In the day the conversion could be bought as 'silencer substitution pipes' but easy to make with some straight pipe. If you don't like it go back to the silencers, but that won't happen!!
Quite rightly you have positive feedback. No nonesense just accurate information. Controversial when new l personally think the design has matured into a very elegant Grand Toured. I paid the princely sum of £100 for mine in 1995 in Rhodium Silver with lattice wheels. Fabulous car and l completely disagree with your opinion of the road holding. Put an extra 10psi all round and what a transformation ! I took a corner that l would normally top out at 90 at 120 ! (mph) Have to add l'd decided that for £100 if l totalled it then , never mind ! I'm restoring an 'e'type for myself at present but would happily have another XJS. Thankyou.
Thanks John, that’s very interesting - I will definitely try the higher tyre pressures, sounds like a great tip. Mine is just awaiting its MOT and a service at the moment, looking forward to getting it back in a week or so. £100 was a bit of a deal even in 1995!
Snap. Another great video. You must be a brother from another mother. Mine is silver with a lightish blue interior. Same wheels and about 58K miles. The radiator was a bit silted up so I’ve put an alloy one in but that’s about it. Perfect for bombing down the motorway. No rust on the bumpers or underneath but a couple of bubbles starting to appear. Seams a shame to spoil the original paint by fiddling though.
What a small world!!! It’s very interesting to compare the XJ-S and the Lotus Elite, which might have been on the same buyer’s shortlist when new although they’re very different cars. We’re very lucky to have both!
@@GrandThriftAuto I think the XJS is the better of the two though. Take any part of the car and compare them like for like and they are from another world. When I discovered the plywood in the inner wings of the 503 I though someone had done a bodged job. The same with the windscreen washers … which appear to be a piece of brake pipe that’s been nipped over with a pair of pliers. Not to mention the door handles (!?). Still, I guess that’s not the point though. The 503 would feel much better if it smelled of leather. Looking forward to your next video … Best, Al
You’re going to hate this channel Bart. It gets much worse than chairs - I’ve been known to use them as tables, toolboxes, trashcans and ashtrays. But thanks for watching and commenting 😊
Oops! You’re right, of course. In my defence, the 600SL wasn’t introduced until 1992, by which time I’d slightly stopped paying attention to *new* cars 😬
Thanks, that’s very kind! My watch is an Anomaly-01 by Code41, a young Swiss company I’m a fan of. Grand Thrift Watches, so to speak. They have a few left (and other models too): code41watches.com/collections/anomaly-01/
@@GrandThriftAuto The watch very much suits your brand. They look very collectable. I'm always amused by Harry Metcalfe working on his farm wearing a Patek.
You should be ok I think - I'm a fraction under 6' and I have ample headroom (now that I've replaced the sagging headlining that came when I bought it). There's loads of leg room (in the front) and decent width. They were designed with the US market in mind, which helps. Give it a try! They're really special cars.
Thanks! I'm working on the presentation style and editing, hopefully that's gradually improving with practice as I make more videos - this was my first attempt :)
@@GrandThriftAuto You're doing more than I've ever done in the public arena, mate. It's good to see a new car review channel entering the fray with an original angle on the genre.
I didn't get 'payd' for any of it. It was the first video I ever made, and happily I ignore trolls who've never made a single video. Otherwise I'd have stopped as soon as I began, instead of practising hard to learn the craft and getting a million views and 75,000 hours of watch time. But thanks for watching.
Love this presentation of the S type. That goes for your other videos aswell. Beeing a fan of EV convertions I would say the S type would make a great chassis for a Tesla drive unit
Mmm, I hadn't thought about it before, but I reckon you're right. There's plenty of room for battery packs under the long bonnet. I guess you'd put the motor in the front and use the existing driveshaft, because of the inboard rear brakes. Glad you're enjoying the videos!
@@GrandThriftAuto The Tesla drivetrain would go in the rear. Most likely including the suspention set up. Then you could use the unde bonnet space for batteries. ua-cam.com/video/m4eQ7nN_Lwo/v-deo.html
Personally I much prefer the oval fishtank lamps, but each to their own. It used to be a reasonably common thing here to convert to the US set up of four round lamps, although mostly I think because they were a lot cheaper.
@@GrandThriftAuto personally I think the quad headlight conversions on UK spec cars are a bit of a comedy pub landlord stereotype modification. I too much prefer the original oval headlamps which are characterful, distinctive and coherent with the rest of the design.
Great vid and aren’t the v12 jags sublime - I had use of one in my early 20s and couldn’t get over how it felt like a jet and gathered speed like you were being pushed in some giant velvet glove! My ser3 which I bought of the friend who lent it to me had the starfish alloys and in an age of 50p/litre I found I could run it as a daily car ok. The main memory of it was the trick of clicking it back in 2nd about 60mph and rocketing away from most things on the road. Fab, sadly rusted to the point I gave it away to a friend who took the powertrain out for a racing xjs. Still I bought another and this is lurking in the garden in the “to be sorted” queue shamefully!
I have a rusty one of these sitting on my driveway. It's a 1977 car and was given to me. Essentially, I saved it from the scrappers. Really not sure what to do with it. It will probably take the thick-end of £15k to sort it. Maybe even £20k.
The early pre-HE ones like yours have become really quite sought-after. Not sure whether you’d get all of that £15-20k back and I’m certainly not one to give investment advice, but it’s something to think about.
@@GrandThriftAuto Thanks. Well cars always cost money and it only owes me £100 for the transportation costs and a car cover. Problem is, I already have a rusty E39 M5 and a rusty Triumph Stag ! People (including me) get all stary-eyed about old cars but forget how much they rust and how much they cost to repair. This is why so many Mk1 & 2 Escorts etc. when to the scrappers.
@@GrandThriftAuto Thanks ! I've also got an '87 Granada Scorpio and a 6-speed manual 530i E60. These are my daily drivers. The M5 is going in for restoration soon. Luckily, the value increase easily justifies the £2500+ spend. I only paid £5700 for it 9 years ago.
@@GrandThriftAuto I sold the '78 XJ-S. Got £500 for it and it went for spares. :-( The new owner wanted the interior in it for his own XJ-S conv, so some good of it had come. The floors were rotten though. It would have taken a lot of time, effort and minet to fix up. I was still sad to see it go though.
Glad you enjoyed it! Good question: they can rust of course, although not really any worse than other cars of that era; the engines can have cooling problems if they’re badly neglected and are prone to oil leaks, and anything engine related is a bit of a job just because there’s twelve of everything. Servicing the rear brakes is a bit of an operation because you have to drop the subframe. The technology isn’t especially clever or complex but it’s worth finding a decent specialist who knows what they’re doing.
A very very beautiful car !!! ... The car even "won the day" on Top Gear by blowing a radiator top hose at 143 mph and restarting and driving away with no faults !!! ... You are right, as on it's launch in 1975 it threw the "beautiful classic" E-type into the "Batmobile" class and "dated" the car overnight !!! ... (although now the E-type is one of the best looking cars ever) ... If i had the choice between the XJS or the V12 saloon ??? I could not answer !!! ... But just 15 years on a used Bentley Continental GT has no comparison against your XJS !!! ... And the new Jaguars ??? GIVE ME STRENGTH !!!
One of the most beautiful cars in the world, I have owned two, the V12 I struggled to live with on fuel costs, I swapped it for a manual 3.6 and it was possibly one of the best cars I have ever owned !!
I’d love one. A much maligned, and yet beguiling car.
How much that takes for 100km?
Muchos exitos con el canal! un saludo desde Argentina!!!
Car looks pretty good for the price - how long have you had it?
Hi Rob - I bought it in the summer of 2015. I think values have gone up a little since then, but not too much - there are still sensibly priced ones around.
@@GrandThriftAuto I've got a 1989 XJS-V12 in the same colour as yours that I bought back in 2009. Lovely old things, aren't they?
@@robgee8679 They certainly are!
Great video and I absolutely love the XJS. They are so different to anything more modern yet they're not too old to be a real pain to run, with carb balancing etc. All their problems are easily sorted & I think they are going to attract a real following. There's just something about an excessively long 2 door low slung coupe that is great.
I think all XJS's are fuel injected.
Many Thanks, bought a 1989 V12 last year from DD Classics in London with just under 18,000 miles on the clock! My favourite car of all time, just sitting in it puts a smile on my face!! Peace From London. 🙏
Wow. Lucky you! 👍
Some amount of work went into this, tremendous video. Keep it up man.
Thanks 😊 Probably some car fixing content next, not all of the fleet are fit for driving around in. Plus lockdown of course.
It is such a beautiful car. Just the fact that they managed to fit a V12 under that low bonnet is proof that cars don't have to be big and fat like the cars of today ;)
I have an XKR -98 in my garage, but there's been a few times I've been tempted to get an XJS instead.
Thoroughly enjoyed your words and pictures on this car. Some family were involved in the body engineering on the XJS and it is special. I still think it is 10 years behind the 928 in terms of industrial design, productionisation (that's not a word, it it?) and build quality, but it is still magical and so understated. Built for a world where labels were on the inside.
Brave of you I would be wary of buying a cheao XJ-S. I love the Xj -S would love a 3.6 manual ot a very rare early v12 manual. The fact that others don’t like it just makes it affordable (at the moment) for those that do.
Agreed. Early manual V12s are pretty costly now, mind you.
It is indeed a beautiful car.
The E-Type is so overrated. It's like the ugly stepchild of the Citroen DS and the AMC Gremlin.
I nearly bought one of these back in the Nineties. A '79 car, solid, but untidy. '12 if you boot it, 15 if you don't', he said. £800 to me. I should have taken it...😏
I've always liked the look of the XJS, especially the TWR race cars, they looked mean and sounded wonderful.
Interesting review.
These are often unloved but then it's not that long ago the sane could be said for the E type. Best of all that means these are an accessible bargain for anyone wanting to experience a classic GT car.
Totally agree. Wrongly unloved, too...
Very amusing intro. 👍
Really enjoyable video. I'd love to see a future video featuring your Royale Coupe.
Thanks! The Royale Coupe will be featuring soon.
Looking forward to the Royale. My parents owned KEX 460V between 1985 and 1986: a silver 2.8 saloon with burgandy interior.
When this came out I did not like it at all (I did not like the last E-Types with long wheel base and V12, either).
But today... Hmm... Why not?
The E type is seriously overated. The XJS was a more unique look. A masterpiece.
The only thing that’s good about an E-Type is it’s looks. The XJS is just fabulous.
Thanks for the fantastic video. The XJ-S is like no other car, both in terms of design and driving experience. The early press on this car missed the point completely and painted it black from the start. It’s an epic car. It’s sole function is to offer ultra luxurious continent crossing capability in a sleek, elegant and understated package.
I recently acquired a 1977 model and for me the early styling is the nicest with its lack of wood and chrome.
I'd have an XJS V12 when i live in Russia as i can afford the petrol there
I have an '89 XJS V12 that looks very much like your car. It has a knock in the rear rt side of the engine that disappears when pointed up hill. Can someone tell me where to look for this problem. I know it has something to do with the oil. Thanks!
Great Video of a wonderful car! Although I love my XK8 I have to admit: the XJS has always been kind of my "secret love"! And yours is simply gorgeous - I like the wheels, the colour and most of all: the unique original design - before the facelift of the nineties in my opinion ruined the rear part of the car. Greets from Vienna!
Gruß Gott! Thanks Christian - I definitely agree with you about the XJS facelift.
I love Vienna, although I haven’t been there for several years, and an XK8 must be an extremely stylish way to travel around amongst all that lovely architecture. Plus that glorious V8 sound. Mmmmm.
the flying buttresses were there because initially it was supposed to be mid engined. due to the bolocks that was the uk car industry at the time they redesigned it to be front engined.
Really? Hadn’t heard that, interesting.
I owned a v12 manual xjs for 10 years and loved it. Had much fun with it as a road car and then a highly modified and very competitive track and race car. Wish I still had it!!!
Ooh, a manual V12 is a rare beast. I imagine that was huge fun. I seem to recall Autocar driving a manual XJ12 series 3 all the way from Land’s End (or perhaps London) to John O’Groats in top gear, such was the torque.
I've always wanted one but wary of mechanical problems that would be made worse by shops that profess to know them but don't.
Fair point Dan. They aren’t complicated like, say, a Mercedes R129 but they do have their quirks...plus it’s pretty crowded under the bonnet/hood as there’s 12 of everything.
I’m lucky to have a really good local specialist, Mister Matic in Swansea. In fact it’s going there next week for its annual check, so I’ll do a follow up film on that soon.
Great channel. I love my '90 XJ-S
my boss had a brand new one in 1977 and when i drove it i fell inlove with Jag Today I run and late XK and still love every min the XJX is a true GT car built to drive to Monaco by Directors i the late 1970 s the big draw back was reliability
Just bought one myself! 3,200 usd that was in good shape!
Where did u look or what website
At the early part of your driving i thought it sounded like a 2cv engine I love Jaguars coming from Coventry Only few miles from Browns Lane..
One of the best looking Jags of all time. A lovely example as well.
That was the most beatiful car introduction I have ever seen. I love these XJS and am gonna own one, let it destroy me.
I’m very late to watching this video, but wanted to comment on how good it is. That drone shot above the car highlights how the bonnet creases align with the flying buttresses - something you would never notice from ground level.
when you said 94% pure fresh air I knew straight away you meant the air fuel ratio of 14.7 to 1 XD
Tell me you’re an engine guy without telling me you’re an engine guy 😁
@@GrandThriftAuto I've heard the v12 is scary to work on. The fuel injected 4.2 s6 in the xj6 s3 is the best 'compromise' in performance, thirst and being easy to maintain but the xjs didn't have a smaller engine option for 11 years.
@@charlesmacgilchrist3648 I tend to farm out the difficult jobs on the V12, it is a bit intimidating. It’s not a particularly complicated engine, there’s just an awful lot of it. An S3 XJ6 4.2 is a lovely thing, I had one once.
This is a lot like Harry's garage with production values and good journalism but with a small chance in hell of me owning one of these cars. Looking forward to more uploads
Thanks Mr Washingmachine.
That’s my Grand Thrift Auto ethos: like Harry’s Garage, if farmers were as poor as they say they are 😉
Fantastic video. What a pleasure to listen your knowledgeable commentary. Rare to find a review by someone who actual knows his topic as opposed to lazily regurgitating old stereotypes..
Thanks David, that means a lot and is certainly what I’m aiming to do! There’s a lot of rubbish talked about cars, not least the XJ-S, and I am keen to bring a fresh perspective where I can on the cars that interest me - and hopefully you.
The leather came from Argentina.....where barbed wire fences are extremely rare.
Both leather and wood were worked at Brown's Lane, the woodworking 'shed' was an awful place to be, dust everywhere and, the leather shop stank so much, one's clothes took on the smell as a reminder hours later.
I always enjoyed working with Jaguar R&D, really nice guys and into cars....which sounds a tad odd but when visiting many OEMs, the cars were simply a means to a profit.
Many of the Jag engineers were into their motorsports, rallying bring the most popular.
Drove a XJR-S 6.0 black in my 20's and it was black with a body kit and an amazing performance. Six weeks plus later it was written off at Bristol airport and depressing as I collected it on a spec lift. Believe it was 340bhp or more and massive torque.
as I remember Top Gear shott one of these off ov an Air-Craft Carrier untt it ended upp att bottom ov Ocean withe Clarkson Larfing 😁😁😀😀👍👍👍✔
Nice, balanced review and I agree with your sign-off...this is still one of the finest, most eye-catching cars in the world.
Cheers.
A sympathetic, funny and affectionate review of a strange dinosaur.
Be careful not to describe a buttress as a flying buttress. It seems that car enthusiasts are seldom architects or historians. The Merak has flying buttresses; this car does not. Nonetheless, a very engaging look at a car that is deeply misunderstood by many. In truth, it was a lardy whale on a time of salmon, but was not without charm.
Chapeau!
I owned a H reg 3.6 XJS a few years ago and honestly can’t say it was a great motor leaks in the footwells bad build quality certainly wouldn’t recommend one .
Great video - A dream car👍
Those are the only rims to have on an XJS.
Agreed, they’re my favourite too, although I quite like the later 80s cross spokes as well.
People get very excited about the early Kent alloys, but they don’t do it for me.
Love that car could easily be a $200k car not $2k ....i do mean pounds of course but don't have it on my keyboard can you believe it
Well us old boys that couldn,t afford a newish E-type back in the day can now buy an XJS , yahoo i did ! ;)
My mother had the V12, I took out a few times for a spin, I thought I was a pretty good driver for a 17 year old. That was until I spun it in the wet. No damage thank god, I drove it home like a granny and never touched it again.
Ha! To be fair you might well have been a pretty good driver for a 17 year old, it probably wouldn’t have driven home if I’d spun it when I was that age.
Nice video, is that a towbar at the back?
It is! I do have a trailer, for transporting non-running cars, but I haven’t towed it with the XJ-S so far - I imagine it’s ideal if you want to get about 2 miles per gallon 😁
What a brilliant way to spend ten minutes...I'm not prone to envy...I prefer to think I'm enjoying and sharing your obvious love for the car. Lovely colour and I to really love the starfish alloys for their simplistic robust style...enjoy for years to come...but if you decide to sell..!.I'd also make use of the tow bar...again brilliant
I think the cabin is too long. Eliminate that black filler piece and the side profile would be much more pleasing.
I love my V12 xjs. Smooth, good looking, good car. I’ve had a few nice cars, modern and old, this is my favourite.
Another great video Martin. Congratulations.
Thanks very much!
I had the automatic tranny in my '92 XJS V12 replaced with a Tremec six-speed manual. It was absolutely transformative, making a great auto an order of magnitude better. Sadly, I sold it when I moved to a location where I had no place to do my own maintenance. My favorite auto.
Wow, I bet it was fantastic with a six speed manual!
@@GrandThriftAuto it gave a number of Porsches a real surprise in the traffic light gran prix.....
Beautiful car, and great video! Thank you.
I've had a few and still love them but a tow bar is a stretch too far for me.
I still rate the XJS as one of the most elegant and beautiful cars ever made.
Great Great video! This is the real Top Gear! What a presenter!
Oh no !. I have fallen down the rabbit hole of your back catalogue !
Some parts of this would show up the BL in house marketing team in it's professionalism. I was especially impressed when you got your drone out & waxed lyrical about the car's qualities.
Being an impressionable teenager with raging hormones I used to watch the New Avengers. When I wasn't drooling over Purdey I seem to remember Gambit had a red XJS. Also recall Ian Ogilvy had a white one in The Saint reboot. Guess you must channel your inner "smooth dude" when you get behind the wheel of yours.
Only disappointment for me was that you had unhitched the super unleaded fuel bowser from the tow bar that was an essential for owners of the V12.
Another immensely enjoyable video. Thank you for your endeavours.
Delighted you’re enjoying the videos! I would probably have to watch these early one from behind my fingers.
With you on the New Avengers, especially Purdey.
I hear that the XJS can corner better than the E type
Love this video, excellent work. Love also my XJ-S V12. I mean, both of them. Cheers
Thank you! I’ve subscribed to your channel too - loving it and learning some useful German technical words 😊
Good channel this - I like it!!!
Remove the first exhaust boxes and replace with straight pipe, the volume will only increase a little in normal driving but it will sound wonderful especially when getting toward the red line! It's an easy diy job to fabricate and fit.
Now there’s an idea! Thanks 👍👍👍
In the day the conversion could be bought as 'silencer substitution pipes' but easy to make with some straight pipe. If you don't like it go back to the silencers, but that won't happen!!
Quite rightly you have positive feedback. No nonesense just accurate information. Controversial when new l personally think the design has matured into a very elegant Grand Toured. I paid the princely sum of £100 for mine in 1995 in Rhodium Silver with lattice wheels. Fabulous car and l completely disagree with your opinion of the road holding. Put an extra 10psi all round and what a transformation ! I took a corner that l would normally top out at 90 at 120 ! (mph) Have to add l'd decided that for £100 if l totalled it then , never mind ! I'm restoring an 'e'type for myself at present but would happily have another XJS. Thankyou.
Thanks John, that’s very interesting - I will definitely try the higher tyre pressures, sounds like a great tip. Mine is just awaiting its MOT and a service at the moment, looking forward to getting it back in a week or so.
£100 was a bit of a deal even in 1995!
@@GrandThriftAuto lt was actually better than that but l won't bore you too much !
Snap. Another great video. You must be a brother from another mother. Mine is silver with a lightish blue interior. Same wheels and about 58K miles. The radiator was a bit silted up so I’ve put an alloy one in but that’s about it. Perfect for bombing down the motorway. No rust on the bumpers or underneath but a couple of bubbles starting to appear. Seams a shame to spoil the original paint by fiddling though.
What a small world!!!
It’s very interesting to compare the XJ-S and the Lotus Elite, which might have been on the same buyer’s shortlist when new although they’re very different cars. We’re very lucky to have both!
@@GrandThriftAuto I think the XJS is the better of the two though. Take any part of the car and compare them like for like and they are from another world. When I discovered the plywood in the inner wings of the 503 I though someone had done a bodged job. The same with the windscreen washers … which appear to be a piece of brake pipe that’s been nipped over with a pair of pliers. Not to mention the door handles (!?). Still, I guess that’s not the point though. The 503 would feel much better if it smelled of leather. Looking forward to your next video … Best, Al
Any real car lover does not uses the front fender as a chair
You’re going to hate this channel Bart. It gets much worse than chairs - I’ve been known to use them as tables, toolboxes, trashcans and ashtrays.
But thanks for watching and commenting 😊
@@GrandThriftAuto :( lol. My bad
I have a green 85 HE. Absolutely love it except for the oil leak that's to expensive to fix.
That’s not an oil leak, that’s a continuous anti-corrosion treatment for the floorpan...😉
Gotcha it also keeps me from parking on nice driveways.
Very interesting video, though the R129 SL was indeed available with a V12.
Oops! You’re right, of course. In my defence, the 600SL wasn’t introduced until 1992, by which time I’d slightly stopped paying attention to *new* cars 😬
@@GrandThriftAuto 👍 still a good video 😊
What a great channel name.
Presented and filmed with as much love and care as a brochure. What watch are you wearing?
Thanks, that’s very kind!
My watch is an Anomaly-01 by Code41, a young Swiss company I’m a fan of. Grand Thrift Watches, so to speak. They have a few left (and other models too): code41watches.com/collections/anomaly-01/
@@GrandThriftAuto The watch very much suits your brand. They look very collectable. I'm always amused by Harry Metcalfe working on his farm wearing a Patek.
what a lovely car!
The impact of the environment on cars. Hence the environment to be banned in 2035
Indeed, the climate has definitely been getting its own back on this one.
@@GrandThriftAuto lol
Great car always had a soft spot for the XJS. Will I fit at 6’3’’ and around 200 pounds?
You should be ok I think - I'm a fraction under 6' and I have ample headroom (now that I've replaced the sagging headlining that came when I bought it). There's loads of leg room (in the front) and decent width. They were designed with the US market in mind, which helps.
Give it a try! They're really special cars.
@@GrandThriftAuto thank you for the reply! I will try to test one and see. Cheers!
@@bv2225 Hope that goes well! (And sorry it took me a couple of days to respond 😊)
Lovely car. Very informative and personalised review.
(errs and erms need editing)
Thanks! I'm working on the presentation style and editing, hopefully that's gradually improving with practice as I make more videos - this was my first attempt :)
@@GrandThriftAuto You're doing more than I've ever done in the public arena, mate. It's good to see a new car review channel entering the fray with an original angle on the genre.
You look like Julian Assange! Nice vid! This car is brilliant!
Er, thanks, I think 🙂
Maybe I should rename the channel WikiOilLeaks?
Nice shots of the Betws and the Gower there .
We’re lucky to have great scenery here 😊
Did you get payd for every uhm? Less is more.
I didn't get 'payd' for any of it. It was the first video I ever made, and happily I ignore trolls who've never made a single video. Otherwise I'd have stopped as soon as I began, instead of practising hard to learn the craft and getting a million views and 75,000 hours of watch time. But thanks for watching.
Love this presentation of the S type. That goes for your other videos aswell. Beeing a fan of EV convertions I would say the S type would make a great chassis for a Tesla drive unit
Mmm, I hadn't thought about it before, but I reckon you're right. There's plenty of room for battery packs under the long bonnet. I guess you'd put the motor in the front and use the existing driveshaft, because of the inboard rear brakes. Glad you're enjoying the videos!
@@GrandThriftAuto The Tesla drivetrain would go in the rear. Most likely including the suspention set up. Then you could use the unde bonnet space for batteries. ua-cam.com/video/m4eQ7nN_Lwo/v-deo.html
@UCf7Laa3UNgUQT5L2DjygDMw Yup, could do that. Purists would argue you’ve taken out the best bits then, mind you 😉
@@GrandThriftAuto ua-cam.com/video/38wrIDWsvIE/v-deo.html
Great info.
This is the only Euro car in my opinion that benefited from the US headlamp treatment. It looks loads better.
Personally I much prefer the oval fishtank lamps, but each to their own. It used to be a reasonably common thing here to convert to the US set up of four round lamps, although mostly I think because they were a lot cheaper.
@@GrandThriftAuto personally I think the quad headlight conversions on UK spec cars are a bit of a comedy pub landlord stereotype modification. I too much prefer the original oval headlamps which are characterful, distinctive and coherent with the rest of the design.
Very nice!
Betws mountains 😊👍
Very beautiful car, I have driven one once it was unforgettable 😁
Great vid and aren’t the v12 jags sublime - I had use of one in my early 20s and couldn’t get over how it felt like a jet and gathered speed like you were being pushed in some giant velvet glove! My ser3 which I bought of the friend who lent it to me had the starfish alloys and in an age of 50p/litre I found I could run it as a daily car ok. The main memory of it was the trick of clicking it back in 2nd about 60mph and rocketing away from most things on the road. Fab, sadly rusted to the point I gave it away to a friend who took the powertrain out for a racing xjs. Still I bought another and this is lurking in the garden in the “to be sorted” queue shamefully!
Get it sorted! At least the parts availability is reasonably good 😊
I bought a Soarer instead of this, but this is the one I wanted Hahahaha.
I have a rusty one of these sitting on my driveway.
It's a 1977 car and was given to me. Essentially, I saved it from the scrappers.
Really not sure what to do with it.
It will probably take the thick-end of £15k to sort it. Maybe even £20k.
The early pre-HE ones like yours have become really quite sought-after. Not sure whether you’d get all of that £15-20k back and I’m certainly not one to give investment advice, but it’s something to think about.
@@GrandThriftAuto
Thanks.
Well cars always cost money and it only owes me £100 for the transportation costs and a car cover.
Problem is, I already have a rusty E39 M5 and a rusty Triumph Stag !
People (including me) get all stary-eyed about old cars but forget how much they rust and how much they cost to repair.
This is why so many Mk1 & 2 Escorts etc. when to the scrappers.
@@lewis72 Very, very true. That’s a interesting mix you’ve got there, by the way! E39 M5s are very cool.
@@GrandThriftAuto
Thanks !
I've also got an '87 Granada Scorpio and a 6-speed manual 530i E60. These are my daily drivers.
The M5 is going in for restoration soon. Luckily, the value increase easily justifies the £2500+ spend.
I only paid £5700 for it 9 years ago.
@@GrandThriftAuto
I sold the '78 XJ-S.
Got £500 for it and it went for spares. :-(
The new owner wanted the interior in it for his own XJ-S conv, so some good of it had come.
The floors were rotten though. It would have taken a lot of time, effort and minet to fix up.
I was still sad to see it go though.
Brilliant. Almost welled up at the end!
Thanks Tim!
Maybe it’s best I didn’t include a shot of the bill after filling up the tank, that might have pushed you over the edge 😉
Well said. I have a 1988 XJS V12, a coupe also. Lovely automobile.
Great video, amusing and interesting.
The one car that I regret selling. I'll have another one day
I love mine but I’m wondering whether to find it a new home and put the proceeds into my Lotus instead. Hmm.
@@GrandThriftAuto I'm not buying it unless you take that tow bar off ;)
@@grahaml8838 Ha! But how else would one tow one’s Riva Aquarama down to the Côte d’Azur? ;-)
loved the video and a big fan of the xjs! what would you say the most expensive problem is that runs specific to this car?
Glad you enjoyed it! Good question: they can rust of course, although not really any worse than other cars of that era; the engines can have cooling problems if they’re badly neglected and are prone to oil leaks, and anything engine related is a bit of a job just because there’s twelve of everything. Servicing the rear brakes is a bit of an operation because you have to drop the subframe.
The technology isn’t especially clever or complex but it’s worth finding a decent specialist who knows what they’re doing.
🥝✔️
Cool car ....thanks for sharing
How reliable is 3.6 engines
I haven’t owned one myself but the AJ6 3.6 has a very good reputation for reliability.
@@GrandThriftAuto okay thanks
Well spoken and honest review.
The E Type for me is so ugly.like the modern cars of today.
My X Type is the best looking (old,new car) and I love the XJS.
Respect from Portugal!
Olá! Obrigado!
A very very beautiful car !!!
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The car even "won the day" on Top Gear by blowing a radiator top hose at 143 mph and restarting and driving away with no faults !!!
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You are right, as on it's launch in 1975 it threw the "beautiful classic" E-type into the "Batmobile" class and "dated" the car overnight !!!
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(although now the E-type is one of the best looking cars ever)
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If i had the choice between the XJS or the V12 saloon ???
I could not answer !!!
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But just 15 years on a used Bentley Continental GT has no comparison against your XJS !!!
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And the new Jaguars ???
GIVE ME STRENGTH !!!
Beautiful but pls take the tow bar off