1981
Jaguar XJ 12
5.3 L Jaguar V12 engine V12
In late 1979 the XJ was facelifted again, and was known as the
"Series
III" (pronounced Series 3).
Using the long-wheelbase version of the car, the XJ6 incorporated
a subtle redesign by Pininfarina.
Externally, the most obvious changes over the SII were the thicker
and more incorporated rubber bumpers with decorative chrome only
on the top edge, flush door handles for increased safety, a one-piece
front door
glass without a separate 1/4 light, a grille with only vertical
vanes, reverse lights moved from the boot plinth to the larger
rear light clusters and a revised roofline with shallower glass
area.
There were three engine variants including the 5.3L V12, the 4.2L
straight 6 and 3.4L straight 6. The larger 6-cylinder, and V12
models incorporated Bosch fuel injection (made under license by
Lucas) while the smaller
6-cylinder was carbureted. The smaller 3.4L 6-cylinder engine
was not offered in the U.S.
The short wheelbase saloon and coupé had been dropped during
the final years of the Series II XJ. The introduction of the Series
III model also saw the option of a sunroof and cruise control
for the first time on an XJ model.
The 1979 UK model range included the Jaguar XJ6 3.4 & 4.2,
XJ12 5.3, Daimler Sovereign 4.2 & Double-Six 5.3 and Daimler
Vanden Plas 4.2 & Double-Six Vanden Plas 5.3.
In 1981 the 5.3 V12 models received the new Michael May designed
'fireball' high compression cylinder head engines and were badged
from this time onwards to 1983 as HE (High efficiency) models.
Also in 1981 a top spec Vanden Plas model was introduced for the
US market, a model designation still used today for the top-level
XJ saloon in the US.
In 1982 the interior of the XJ underwent a minor update. A trip
computer appeared for the first time and was fitted as standard
on V12 models. A new and much sought-after alloy wheel featuring
numerous distinctive
circular holes was also introduced, commonly known as the "pepperpot"
wheel.
In 1983 the Sovereign name was transferred from Daimler to a new
top spec Jaguar model, the Jaguar Sovereign.
The Vanden Plas name was also dropped at this time in the UK market,
as the designation was used on top-of-the-range Rover-branded
cars in the home UK market. Daimler models became the Daimler
4.2 and Double Six and were the most luxurious XJ Series III models,
being fully optioned with Vanden Plas spec interiors.
The 1984 UK model range included the Jaguar XJ6 3.4 & 4.2,
Sovereign 4.2 & 5.3, Daimler 4.2 & Double Six 5.3.
The last Series III XJ with a six-cylinder engine was produced
in 1987.
Production of the Series III XJ continued until 1992 with the
V12 engine. In 1992, the last 100 cars built were numbered and
sold as part of a special series commemorating the end of production
for Canada. These 100
cars featured the option of having a brass plaque located in the
cabin. It was the original purchaser's option to have this plaque,
which also gave a number to the car (such as No. 5 of 100, etc.),
fitted to the glove box,
to the console woodwork or not fitted at all.
This brass plaque initiative did not come from Jaguar in Coventry.
It was a local effort, by Jaguar Canada staff and the brass plaques
were engraved locally. 132,952 Series III cars were built, 10,500
with the V12 engine.
In total between 1968 and 1992 there were around 318,000 XJ6 and
XJ12 Jaguars produced.
This car has 177.000 km's from new , a very nice body, partly
restored. Blue metallic with bleu leather interior
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Price € -,-
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