My Jaguar XJC V12 visits the dyno & the result is more power & it sounds even better!

My Jaguar XJC V12 Coupe now has a new £12,000 fuel injection & ignition system, which was developed and fitted at Tom Lenthall Ltd and is now running better than ever. It sounds even better too, thanks to a new exhaust system, which is better suited to the tuned V12 engine.
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[@The_Foulmouthed_Cypriot]

Possibly my favourite of all Mr M's cars. Looks and sounds exquisite.

[@LarsAgerbk]

this or the Espada. Probably this one :)

[@johnsmith1474]

It's not about you.

[@MyMarsham]

@@johnsmith1474 But, you’re coming on a thread to say this very thing, apparently everything is about you?

[@andyrbush]

Was just about to say the same thing.

[@rogerhudson9732]

I would have invested in a hundred kilos of sound deadening ( equal to a passenger) to improve the internal sound , 71 dB is horrible.

[@jasondurden2803]

That sound is biblical. Always loved the XJC V12. This has only confirmed my view. This proves that tasteful and restomod can exist in the same sentence. Amazing car.

[@user-gl5kj1fm5x]

toss up series 3 e

[@ryan_henderson]

This could be peak Harry’s Garage, the length of time this has taken to get sorted, the journey, the amazing sound and Harry’s love, passion and enthusiasm is fantastic to see. What a finish! 🎉

[@muzman777]

All changed for me when he chose that paint with the Aston Martin guys.

[@frankchan5547]

​@@muzman777 for good or bad?

[@frankchan5547]

Countach says keep holding my beer 😅

[@Faithinthedock]

The sound from the rear of the car is genuinely astonishing. It has a near Ferrari-esque howl. A very well executed project. That 5.3 strikes me as an engine with an excellent basic design that was never fully brought to its best by Jaguar. Great work by the tuners here.

[@ChristopherRowlands]

Sounding as good as it looks now.

[@Rasscasse]

Yes!! a simple phrase but so true in this case 👌

[@infinityplus1489]

The sound is amazing and I’ve only heard 5 seconds of it

[@davideslava3526]

Those pull-away clips are some of the most exquisite car content I've seen in a while. Simply perfect, and knowing the amount of effort and passion that went into this car makes it that much more special.

[@ufx808]

Out of all of the wonderful cars in your garage, Harry, this one is for me. And the noise, sublime with a bass undertone, so melodic! Well done to all who have created this masterpiece and to you, Harry, for taking us along. Thank you.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

Me Too! I love it!

[@mythos5809]

I couldn't agree more...

[@levelcrossing150]

Maybe it's a car that more of us can relate to, a car we used to see about or lived close by.

[@silentracer911]

It sounds so beautiful on that launch across the road, enjoy that lovely sound

[@daboy12s]

I work for JLR Classic so get to see lots of really nice Jags, but I have to say this is a master piece!!

[@willum223]

This is the sort of restomodding that works best, for me. Turning the car into what it should always have been. Marvellous.

[@Raphael-zl5jb]

The smile on Harry’s face says it all. Who cares what anyone else thinks - the fact you love it (and that V12 noise) is all that matters!

[@edwardlewandowski]

Of all of your cars Harry, this is far and away my favorite. Never let it go.

[@martinmcdonald4207]

I think this will be number one on the family garage heirloom list! What a Labour of love and only achieved because of passion, knowledge and that other old chestnut......money. This was the Jaguar Coupe V12 that got saved and Godspeed to Harry for that ability to be able to share this dream with all of us born in 1962! Cheers.

[@kipsome45]

I love the way that V12 sounds…deep chested, and yet with a buzzsaw edge. Wonderful.

[@scalewarmachines]

It’s easy to flinch when you think of the expense to get there, but this compared to the modern cars you review is just so cool, visceral and characterful - while the sound is just heavenly to any petrol head. Worth every single penny to own something so fantastic. I agree with others, by far the best car in the entire collection and one I’d love to own. A painful journey, but so worth it in the end.

[@judih.8754]

You only live once and you certainly can't take the money with you!

[@dancarter482]

Can't BELIEVE "they" thought it'd be the best powerplant for the Scorpion tank!

[@justbreakingballs]

Moneys a relative concept.

[@billturner6564]

That's a beautiful British car driven by a British gentleman in beautiful British countryside making a very melodious noise thanks Harry

[@niclebowski9214]

I love how Harry prepares his cars, so elegantly, letting the car shine without getting into the "disrespectful" territory.

[@RickCT2000]

You may never drive your Italian jobs again! The Jaguar is ACE.

[@danmayberry1185]

That torque just dissolves the weight. A masterpiece of a car!

[@SupraTompan]

That exhaust note is something else, wow.

[@adyg6ad73]

I had a 1983 Jaguar XJ12 HE. I wish I had kept it watching this now.

[@Jimbo_LB]

Amazed at how much money can be spent on a car trying to get it right that probably never left the factory right to begin with.

[@glennpowell3444]

I kind of agree but coil technology in itself was very as it was.Coil packs were yet to happen.If you look now at how much HT can be achieved by modern stick coils per cylinder.The old V12 had one coil to somehow energise 12 plugs every revolution of the crank using one dizzy and one condenser.(actually every two revolutions?)You goto 4000 rpm thats alot to expect.Those old cylinder oil filled coils got very hot under high load and hated the damp aswell.As for fuel injection Triumphs system on their 2000 engines were an electrical nightmare as were the injectors that just stuck at will.

[@shane6115]

They were a shit engine from day one..

[@eurograv6988]

The coil from a Fiat 1000 does a great job as a replacement

[@johnsmith1474]

Still isn't "right." It's a quirk-mobile for an elderly Englishman.

[@AB-pl1ko]

@@johnsmith1474 - why are you here watching then?

[@bulletmagnetLG]

This video was an absolute joy to watch, the culmination of all that hard work…and wow! What a beast that car is! The noise is incredible but still sophisticated, it looks so stealthy and classy, but it goes like a scalded cat. You look like a posh bank robber Harry! Thanks for sharing this journey with us all😊👊

[@mopsnuf]

A true British hot rod. Deserves its place in the garage! The sound always shocks me.

[@cepheus7850]

Now it's a proper getaway Jag 😎 Well done Harry and Tom! 👍

[@davesmith60]

Our driver only ever used the four door saloon.

[@joemeatball1080]

That is a proper Jag. You built the kind of Jag that I would. Can’t find anything to say “I’d do this instead of that.” Having owned and built fast cars that are street driven… the Horsepower and Torque levels are in that sweet spot. Anymore, it becomes a liability and things wear out and break that much faster. Superb choices and excellent execution. Well done Harry and everyone involved!!

[@mickwrinkles2318]

Dear lord, what a transformation. Perfect engine sound. Well deserved after all the problems.

[@L5GUK]

Genuinely this has got to me my most favourite car in your collection. It's transformation from a pretty scabby car that existed 'because why not' to this absolutely beautiful and tastefully exquisite machine is amazing. The choice of colour is so amazing. A real perfect example of a colour that most would shy away from, but seeing it on the car its perfect. You chose the team of people so brilliantly to restore this car to better than it left the factory. All so incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic towards your specific niche. And it shows. It cost far more than the car is worth. But was it worth it? Certainly. Fantastic to see running and enjoyed.

[@RogerNewsham]

I cannot place the V12 sound with Jaguar - put a smile on my face to watch the car squirrel around those corners with the wail of the V12 and the upshifts, phenomenal.

[@habsom1406]

The colour looks stunning in the sunlight, the lines, the haunches, the curves, all scream scolded feline! What beauty and now with the blistering speed and sophistication that was Harry's vision. Top marks to the cameraman for the videography and editing, really managed to show off the Jaguar in all its magnificent splendor.

[@neilpearce7032]

Harry you never fail to entertain with your content enthusiasm and passion. The sound of the V12 is infectious and I’m looking forward to seeing it in the future.

[@DarrylKirby]

I could quite understand wanting to get the original system sorted, but oh my what a difference Tom's conversion has made - what a beast of a Jag!

[@andoletube]

Tom just blamed his inability to get the original system sorted on the system rather than himself. Of course this video is going to be nothing but singing the praises of the new system - it's all he was able to do. But funny how some mechanics manage to sort out the old system and make is reliable. I understand that Harry has his happy ending - and that's nice. But this conversion and video series has promoted a myth that the original system cannot function reliably. I've met mechanics who are experts in the original system and they know what to do with it. So, sorry, I can't get excited about old Tommy-boy. He's basically throwing together kit-injection that mostly sorts itself out. There are a million mechanics at his level.

[@DarrylKirby]

@@andoletube Yeah I thought that too, but I have no experience with the ownership of the older systems. The conversation did touch a little on the immaturity of those early injections systems, I can only imagine the frustration that would cause on such a vehicle. Have you seen any good evidence that it can be reliably run for the extended periods one might expect? Cheers.

[@bradwooten4272]

This is now my favorite car in your collection.

[@dougie9071]

Given the choice (!) I'd have this Jag XJC over almost any modern 'performance' saloon. The most apt word that springs to mind is 'style', this car has bags of it.

[@eltonkingsley5617]

Harry, it’s been well worth the heartache to listen to the V12 singing through the exhaust. Very happy you saved the vehicle and look forward to a few south of France tours as it has plenty of extra luggage space.

[@paulcruse]

Those gains on normally aspirated with stock internals are really impressive. I always felt that this engine was very conservatively set up from factory. It looks and sounds amazing and the spacing on the first three gears seems just about perfect for the engine. Beautiful and addictive 😀

[@jase6370]

A lot down to tight regulation in the 70s

[@paulcruse]

@@jase6370 in the US yeah, but I wasn’t aware of too much of that in the UK back then

[@KiwiStag74]

Now THAT is an XJC that sounds and drives the way I believe an XJC should do - and always should have. It's beautiful to behold, beautiful to listen to and wonderful to watch / ride along in - even if only vicariously. Sure, the changes sound like they were massive, but they actually weren't and were only along the lines of allowing that 5.3 litre to breathe properly and more efficiently. No silicon chip to modify to get extra horses, no huge valves, no skimmed heads, no wild camshaft or non-standard pistons to increase compression - just the pure unadulterated essence and potential of the Jaguar V12......and I love it. Harry, mate, you have the best of both worlds in that car. She can be driven spiritedly and give you that gorgeous exhaust note to coax you into breaking the speed limit with effortless ease or she can be a laid back and wafty cruiser that just quietly eats up the miles in comfort as only a Jaguar can. Man, do I envy you....but in saying that, I couldn't be happier that she's exactly what the doctor ordered. I look forward to seeing you out and about in it as often as possible!

[@Eyeball1975]

There are not many cars in the world that I would choose over this one. Absolute stunner.

[@timofthomas]

Love it - the sound of a proper engine in a real British gem. Good on you for restoring this beauty as it deserved. We miss this from British manufacturers today.

[@solsol1624]

Fantastic sound! Point not mentioned was that the original injection and ecu was designed for very different petrol to what we have now. No wonder great results can be achieved with the correct modern upgrades and the right skills to set them up correctly.

[@MGBOWNER]

If a magic Genie appeared and said I could have anything I wanted I would be coming for your Jag! Absolutely epic, I love everything about it and if I had the money I’d be duplicating it. Love everything, truly wonderful.

[@duncanbleak3819]

Now that's how a video is done. Informative and fun, with a magnificent exhaust note!

[@es95950]

Thanks for taking us along on this journey! Love to see the car finally sorted-your smile says it all!!

[@jimpawson]

Just a beautiful sound with that magical delay for the gear change ….. just as it should be. Wonderful !!! Great work Harry.

[@MrRandomcommentguy]

That setup in XJ-S would be my ultimate car

[@duncanajpv8]

Cornering shot @18:45 is just pure automotive joy 👌

[@colinwilliams3004]

It’s so great people have the passion and dedication to keep these old cars alive for future generations to enjoy as well. Well done Harry.

[@garysimpson3900]

As a person of a certain age I remember John Steed driving a green XJC in the "Avengers" & instantly adoring the car. Hard to believe it had such poor performance figures in "standard form". This is a stunning car & fortunately Harry you have been able to to give it the attention & resources it deserves for future generations to admire as we go electric.

[@bigwerve]

He had a broadspeed replica

[@petergreen3877]

What a beautiful car , How a car should look , bring them back , better than these plastic cars. Pleasure to appreciate and admire. Thank you Harry

[@shandorhallett7686]

It really makes me smile seeing you smile so much as you finally have the car you wanted. What a gorgeous sound.

[@risingtoneofthemojo]

Harry as someone who's watched the story of this car the whole way through I've got to say I can't be more thrilled for you. That car is a real treasure well done on seeing it through and getting it running at its best

[@gordonsimpson3235]

Oh Harry, this car restoration has been epic. What you and the team have done for this 'Gentleman's Express' is outstanding. Such a usable classic, looks and sounds amazing, it must be an intense pleasure to drive. As I have said before, this journey has been the most awesome of your entire collection. I salute you sir!

[@sharkeedetox8579]

I wish people in America loved jags as much as people in the UK do, I am dying to restore a jaguar xjs v12 (preferably the 6L) as soon as I can afford it.

[@ZeGermanHam]

That exhaust note is one for the ages.

[@gysbertvanderwesthuizen8011]

Well done Harry, I just love your commitment to your projects!

[@harveydolden8572]

Got to be my favourite Harry's Garage video yet! Love this sort of approach to classic cars keeping the looks of the original but inhanced with some tuning and modern technology just shows what can be done to an old engine design 😀 very impressive figures and all on 9.1 compression this is great!

[@judih.8754]

Fast but comfortable to drive. Great combo.

[@philbaldasera4742]

Fantastic rebuild! My friends dad used to run these, Geoff Uren (!), and I believe raced a Leyland XJC at Le Mans this definately took me back. Thanks Harry's garage...

[@oldclassiccarUK]

*Always a treat to hear a manual V12 with not-too-much silencing, esp a Jaguar, a wonderful bit of kit*

[@christopherprose3881]

A huge improvement in the aesthetics of the engine bay! The previous induction unit looked like a messy bowl of metal spaghetti, whereas this new system looks both period-correct and good enough to show off. Well done! Your XJC is a real gem and has improved in every way since you started this process. The color is both beautiful and speaks volumes for the heritage of the brand. It looks like a true British GT coupe, like a genuine Jag, from every angle... and now it has the performance to match the great design.

[@idesignyou...9257]

Fantastic episode! The sound of that V12 through my headphones was sensational! So happy for you Harry and truly one of your nicest cars in the garage!

[@russcattell955i]

Harry, you should seriously consider this XJC for next European road trip. Autobahns to alpine passes, the big cat would excel.

[@andythorpe1884]

What an amazing result, and what a wonderful sonorous sound.

[@ericpisch2732]

That’s the healthiest v12 jag of that era I have ever heard 🎉

[@thefridgeman]

2:12 Harry - "Hallelujah ma man, your work is done here...I am taking over".

[@jean-marcandjoshua-petsjournal]

Awesome! She is proper Jaguar. Now she purrs and she goes fast with elegant poise and class. I was born in the sane year as the Jag and as a 46 year old, it feel’s satisfying to see heritage revived.

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Jeez Harry, those numbers are proper impressive for a 1977 car! 😳 And it's a stunning-looking motor. 😍 Love it! 👍🏻

[@milesgreen9705]

As many others have said. Fabulous to watch the Jag's story and restoration. The engine sounds incredible and your passion for the car is infectious. Hope to see it at Goodwood inn the car park pehaps. Wonderful machine, beautiful colour. The craftmanship of the guys who fixed it, as with the Fulvia is brilliant and fascinating. Thanks.

[@uliwehner]

the exhaust note is perfect. this could be an only car for me here in georgia, no salt on the roads. comfortable, fast enough, sounds great, and looks awesome.

[@luke_3_113]

It's so great to see the enthusiasm - Harry putting the money in following his passion, but then getting that big smile at the result.

[@alancobbin]

Wow that’s a great achievement,More power, more reliability, no more misfires, win-win ,nice one Harry 👍😉💪

[@_gray_]

Am currently travelling around Canada on holiday... had to ensure I got up early to watch this finale of the Jag journey. It didn't disappoint. Fantastic, beautiful machine. Plus her life has been extended... for Charlie, obviously!

[@battyboomfatty]

The perfect gentleman's express! The sound alone is glorious!

[@anthonyrutherford758]

Harry, you are an example of keeping the "boy" inside of us older men alive! Good on you!😊

[@hamishyoung494]

I have loved the Jag build, a fascinating series - enthralling even - and the grin on Harrys face with the finished product tells the story. Sounds epic, looks like it drives even better. Awesome 👍

[@tomtht3355]

The gear change looks incredibly precise !

[@michaellorenson2997]

This has been my favorite car in Harry's garage since he first bought it, and it just could not have turned out any better than this. Spectacular. If Harry said to me, 'Look, you can have any car in here, just pick anything you like', I'd take this Jag.

[@ringonotts]

Mint. The honest joy on Harry's face when he dropped it into 2nd and screamed round that bend was reminicent of me at 17 in a mini clubman on lanes i know better than the back of my hand. Pure joy. What a motor. Love it!

[@bend1483]

What an absolutely stunning car. I must admit this is my favorite car of Harry's. Just so utterly stylish, and now it has the performance and sound to go with it. How good does it sound!?

[@425i]

That is fantastic ! What an excellent result Harry and Tom

[@graemecollie9233]

You now have arguably one of the best sounding Jag V12's in your possession, the larger TB's, filters and exhaust have been transformative. Looking forward to seeing more of the XJC this year

[@luke_3_113]

2:35 I love that response, "They thought we should have continued chasing through to find the issue" - "They are welcome to"!! :P

[@DestroyerWill]

Wow that noise, well worth the wait! Well done Harry I’m so pleased for you mate

[@andylaws4247]

Great mod, best of both worlds - Pre HE V12 with 6.0 litre fuel injection system. The H.E. (High Efficiency) V12 that you mentioned relates to the development of the V12 with digital fuel injection and the May Cylinder heads. These had a swirl chamber at the exhaust valve with a channel around the intake valve. Fitted to XJ-S and XJ12 models from around 1981.

[@normanrussell5526]

The Engine bay is so much more pleasing to the eye, minus all the pipes etc. Right then Harry, I think you should plan a nice trip through Italy, now that would be a great journey for the Jag. The Italian roads would be perfect to showcase her and show the Italians a true thoroughbred machine. PS if you need a mechanically minded co drive, I'm available.

[@Andre.K.]

Don't let this Man fool you! You are watching him not because of his content, but because of him and his approach to life❤

[@leslienordman8718]

Wonderful! I am glad that you finally got the car you wanted. What a journey it has been. Thank you for taking us along with you. 🙂

[@samharvey6194]

Done an amazing job with it Harry, love the exhaust note as well.

[@majormarshall588]

Gorgeous British Engine.Had the pleasure of experiencing the XJS in late seventies. Silk.

[@mclouj]

Nice to hear about Tom's youtube aspirations, he's been great behind the camera on DriveTribe and Auto Alex too.

[@WestfieldFreshAir]

What a sound, and fantastic power. The favourite car of the garage is truly complete now.

[@riaanbresler2888]

Absolutely astonishing ! It sounds phenomenal Harry ….. well done

[@houseking9211]

Absolute dream-car material, that noise is perfection, you can tell it's an older v12, and it sounds so much better, like a lower reving murcielago

[@DaneRThomas]

When I was a teenager, we had a Series II XJ6L with the 4.2 liter 6 and the slushbox with the U.S. emissions-spec. It was slow indeed! This one is truly an example of potential realized!

[@scottvirgogp]

I came here for the sound and passion, and it has delivered. What a machine!

[@CelticKiwi55]

So delighted to see you finally getting the Jag you wished for. Looks stunning and sounds awesome. A quite brilliant video Harry, thank you.

[@peterroycroft6433]

What a beauty. I had an XJ81 for some years, and I'm on the brink of getting another. It's a love thing which cannot be explained to the uninitiated....😊

[@helmutkrahn9337]

The symphonic sum of a century and a half of engineering and aesthetics refined into individual, unique perfection - by you. The world is a better place.

[@JURASSICDIVERUK]

Absolutely the most stunning jaguar ever.. Well done to all involved in the restoration ❤

[@allanfenwick8249]

Fabulous car Harry - Perfection, really enjoyed watching this series. Getting the Jag V12 to the attention it really deserved. Nice one....I want it🙂

[@stephencurry8552]

When I was a child. The Jaguar dealer was within bicycle distance. I saw a Jag with a V-12. I excitedly told my father that I saw the most complicated engine I have ever seen! I can in fact still see the image in my minds eye. What a glorious machine you have now. This video brings a smile and a sense of contentment to me.

[@iamrichrocker]

White Rolls, and this magic XJC would be ok in my garage..my favorite car in Harry's garage....and great that these craftsmen are available to work their magic..

[@theslimeylimey]

Harry, you and your team absolutely nailed this car. It looks and sounds beautiful. This is classic sports car sound done right.