Old-School British Cool: Why This 20-Year-Old Drives a 1972 V12 Jaguar XJ

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Today on the channel, an epic Jaguar from the 1970s. The fastest four door car in the world when it was made, this is the 140+ MPH Jaguar XJ12.
#Jaguar #XJ12 #V12
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[@JayEmmOnCars]

CarVertical: The History Checking Service Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount! www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?b=1e4c9523&a=JayEmm&voucher=jayemm&chan=jayemm

[@alanbstard4]

problem with the Jag was they always broke down. Electrics especially. Beautiful cars, but....Actually, the claim to the fastest 4 door car was the Ford GTHO Falcon

[@ILikeCarsAndYouShouldToo]

Thanks James for reviewing my car. Looking forward to bringing up others in the future. 🎉

[@omarks]

I'm in California and have good access to cheap parts if you need them . I have a 96 6.0 last gen x305 driver I've been restoring also. I'm on jagforums if needed

[@philhawley1219]

Your car? Well done lad, £9 grand would get your mates a reasonable second hand Fiesta and you decide to have a Jag. I hope you save up your petrol money but on the other hand you probably qualify for classic insurance. Cosmetically the interior needs seeing to, the body looks ok and I reckon you will learn a lot about sorting out problems and gremlins through perseverance. Good luck and drive swiftly and safely.

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

Best get that MOT sorted, we are watching a crime in progress....driving without a valid mot. At least its taxed, lol.

[@johnkeohane2168]

No Mot needed muppet

[@davidfairbairn8]

Class. Used to be one of these sat in my old neighbours garden when I was a boy. Sat in there for years and I remember the story was it didn’t get used anymore cos the dad of the house had pissed himself in it.

[@robinfoster7597]

When I was 23, in 1994, I bought a 79 BMW 635 CSi, for £600. I spent another £900 rebuilding the suspension and boy, what a car! It had the dog leg, close ratio box and lsd which made it a total weapon! That was my daily driver for the next 6 years. Not bad for a lowly clerical assistant in a local authority! That would go as low as 8mpg, but I did thrash it, everywhere, all the time! The day I bought it, I got through £100 in fuel, in a day! The point is, I understand the young man choosing to get something old and upmarket and enjoying it. I bet he loves every journey, which has got to be the point? Great video, thanks.

[@ronjatter]

That's 360 miles at 8MPG. You would have had to be doing an average of 30 mph for 12 hours straight :) I don't disbelieve it, just thinking of how much fun that must have been! Great way to get to know a car.

[@robertiddon]

God that's my dream car

[@rogb3199]

Working at a BMW dealership in 1980, 635CSi was absolutely one of the best to drive. That gearbox... mind you , the auto was great too!

[@thomaswillmann8306]

Thank you very much for the nice video. I live in Germany, have been a Jaguar freak for 30 years and share their enthusiasm and fascination as I drive a Daimler Double Six Series III in regency red (built 1992). The British gentleman's room on wheels offers an unmatched flair, fragrant Conolly leather in Magnolia with cherry red piping and noble woods invite to a long dream journey. Just consider the incomparable harmony of the charismatic lines of the XJ . The aesthetic perfection with which noble woods and valuable leather are processed to an interior of the absolute luxury class is very impressive. The car is like a drug and is totally addictive. You like to take detours, because the journey is the destination and time takes on a secondary meaning. No other vehicle convinces with as much charisma and elegance as the Jaguar models of series I - III. The Double Six is the absolute crowning glory in this context. But what makes traveling in a Jaguar twelve-cylinder an absolute pleasure are its engine and chassis qualities. They convey the feeling of weightlessness that is typical of a Jaguar. Actually, as a German, I should go into raptures for German vehicles, but my heart beats only for the great classics from Jaguar, and that includes the Daimler Double Six. Daimler Double Six forever! Only two events can separate me from my vehicle, total loss or death and I hope that neither one nor the other will occur so quickly. Best regards from Germany!

[@jeffbertucen1839]

I have a 1996 X300 Daimler Double Six in metallic dark crimson and magnolia hide. Like you, I will never be parted from it

[@thomaswillmann8306]

@@jeffbertucen1839 Congratulations, that's a good decision!

[@Konformation07]

I have a Jaguar V12 Vanden Plas in the US. It's a Daimler Double Six but Daimler doesn't exist in North America so they were badged as Jaguars. They have the same trim, seats and features as the Daimler and the production numbers were grouped with Daimler numbers in Jaguar's official records.

[@christopherroth6723]

Every time Jay reviews a Jagggg, it honestly brings to smile to my face as a life long (20 years) Jag fan and owner of one. I've not even begun the video but I'm sure it's absolutely mint 👌

[@forrestrobin2712]

It was ❤

[@craigjaguar]

The original series XJ cars are the best cars in the world, were miles ahead of their time and still to this day have a better ride & handling compromise than any other car - plus also happen to be one of the best looking cars of all time!

[@ozeskiman]

I remember when I first saw an XJ. It was 1967, I was 15 and a part time petrol pump attendant. One pulled into the garage. I was gob smacked. It was so beautiful and cool. It had the new Dunlop tyres on, which were so wide for the time. Today it still looks great. One of the best looking cars of its period.

[@garyestcourt2377]

Sure it was 67 when you saw an XJ 🤔

[@albanana683]

My dad had a series I XJ6 and I do remember a local petrol station where we could stop in between two rows of pumps and fill both tanks at the same time - lots of Green Shield Stamps. The tyres were a special collaboration with Dunlop to produce a 70% wall/width profile performance tyre.

[@charleigh195]

My dad had the XJ12 back in 1980 I use to ask him to pick me up from school which was literally 50 yards away I was ten and loved it.Series 2 my uncle borrowed it and raced an Lotus Esprit he said he sucked it up the carbs and blew it out the exhaust pipe didn’t have a clue what that meant but I loved it.

[@pageant1fd]

What a wonderful car to discover where all the fuel stations are in your area ! Thank you sir for sharing.

[@withheld566]

My local fuel station was about ten mins up the road. Given the cold start injectors, if I went put £10 in and came home I was actually no further forward fuel wise

[@pageant1fd]

@@withheld566 heh heh heh ! I did have a Lotus Cortina in the ‘70’s which I tuned (?) and went ever so slightly quicker but drank like a Sperm Whale. I had on one journey managed an epic 8 mpg .

[@itchy108]

My Grandfather had a 1974 XJ12. He would spend hours out in the garage balancing the carburettors trying to get the most out of it.

[@Perdurabo987]

Thanks for bringing back many fond memories of the 1978 Series 2 5.3Ltr. V12 I owned in the early '80s. The fuel guage was akin to a windscreen wiper, but you always had the othe 12 gallon tank to fall back on. Although I would never admit to being in need of a getaway car, I can attest to its robustness should the need arise. I was once sat at lights on red and saw a brand new (and newly released) Ford Sierra approaching rapidly from behind, obviously not having seen the red. I merely stepped on the brakes and placed the back of my head on the head rest. The impact moved my car a few inches forward and scratched my tow bar. It did, however, completely destroy the front of the Ford, writing it off. For the following 35 years I owned a succession of Jaaags, V12s, supercharged straight 6s and then the supercharged V8s. The only one I could not bear was the XJ40, that particular ship sailed without me. My favourite of all these was my last, an X300 Super V8 which you recently enjoyed. The TVs in the headrests kept the grandkids from grassing me up on the speed I was doing. Keep up the good work! P.S. If your insurance is up to it I have a supercharged Rocket 111 you might like to play out on. At 62 I'm still waiting to find out what I want to be when I grow up.

[@philiptidmarsh]

I was told recently that they were the only car to be banned from banger racing on certain circuits back in the day as they were too fast and too strong and therefore wiped everybody out. They had to create a special unlimited class to enable them to race . I find it odd that people conceive that old cars like this are unsafe.If you hit most modern cars in one these you probably would not even notice it !

[@ericrawson2909]

69 and still not grown up. Love my f Pace SVR. Loved my 1998 XJ before that.

[@sherisheri9549]

Shame we didn't meet the 20 year old owner, He is me, some 40 years later, at 20 I was driving a 3,4 s type for the same reasons he gave 😊

[@longbeachcarguy]

Most beautiful 4-door sedan design…ever? Love it!

[@fuelupclassic]

Wonderful! I hope he enjoys it for many years and miles to come, as there's nothing quite like an old Series XJ. I too bought mine (a Series 3 XJ6) with my first year of student loan about 10 years ago now. It so nearly cleared my bank account on many occasions but I absolutely loved it. I subsequently sold it about four years ago and many cars have been and gone since but the Jag was always the one I regretted selling the most. At the end of last year I bought it back and now it's very much a keeper. After watching this, you've encouraged me to use mine this week and put some miles on it. A great video! All the best, Matt.

[@garyestcourt2377]

Always been tempted to get one but sometimes think it might be a case of don't meet your heroes 🤔🤔

[@fuelupclassic]

@@garyestcourt2377 Can highly recommend one. Just make sure you get a good one to start with, which is often the difficult bit.

[@gregharvie3896]

Hi from Sydney , Australia. I'm now 68, however when I was 19, I bought a Left-hand drive 4.2ltr 1965 Jag mk10, I could only afford it due to it being LHD, as in a year or so all cars here in Australia had to be RHD to be allowed on the road, if still LHD rego was cancelled and the car useless. I had tracked down a rusty English private import 1968 420G version of mk10 and with my just retired engineer grandad, in mid-year uni break we did the conversion kind of like a giant meccano set kit for adults !! That Jag served me faithfully for years and saved my life in a terrible multi vehicle accident, being the only non-injured and/or non dead driver/passenger. It was repaired, but I replaced it in 1979 with a rare long wheelbase series 1 XJ6 which had been a total special order and FACTORY equipped with a high compression/output bronze head , plus 3x HD8 SU carbies as on a mk10/420G. Maroon with pale tan leather seats it looked divine & the LWB body series i' look great. After 32 years ownership, I sold it to a mate when I bought a 1967 420G with all documents, one owner and a mere 50025 miles from new. I've owned this for over a decade now & i feel just as happy as when I was a 19 yr old driving the first one near 50 years ago.

[@nicholasfrawley824]

Amazing story Greg! As a 21 year old Australian car enthusiast, I didn’t know that about LHDs being outlawed like that, fascinating stuff

[@gregharvie3896]

@@nicholasfrawley824 Hi Nick , yep it was a very sad time as many cars were well into their life span, and the complexity of attempting a left to right hand conversion on most was simply totally not economically viable so they went to wreckers yards. Engines, trannys, diffs etc finding new homes from big Ford products like Lincolns and Mercury's into Ford F100's etc, and identical GM swaps from Buicks, Cadillacs etc into GMC and Chevy C10 pickups. Then the cars bodies just sat in the blazing sun being cooked to death over time and rust starting in what was once a proud car. As for most of the European "stuff" it would sit in wreckers for a short period and just get crushed. Jaguar was a standout as ALL the body shells were designed to be either left or right hand drive with patch plates bolted over the holes for pedals, steering columns etc on the opposite side so for Grandad & myself it was like a giant model car kit for adults. On the North Shore in Sydney, generally many owners would keep all their old cars when they bought a new one as they had giant converted stables to put them in, this plated out with the LHD cars too with many keeping their pride and joy and sneakily early or late on a Saturday or Sunday taking it for a joyride in neighboring streets to keep their cars systems alive. In Grosvenor Road, Lindfield just down from the Public school there was a hidden vast battle axe block, were a pair a 1959 & 1960 Pininfarina Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Brougham set of sedans, these numbered globally just 100 examples for both years and when new were state of the art cars, three times the price of a Ferrari or Rolls Royce these are owned by the same family to this day , and further north at Telegraph Road Pymble, is a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado convertible the two sedans little brother all survived. But however in 1980 I'd gone to a USA car wreckers at Bankstown with my mate & girlfriends brother for some "bits" for his '68 RHD Pontiac when I saw the "leftovers" of a 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood 8 passenger sedan, basically the factory limousine but with no central driver divided and glass window, simply finished as a gigantic family sedan in solid Navy enamel NSW rego as PP-075 it lived at Whale Beach in a stylish mid-century modern 1950's superhouse, the car was driven by a mum in her 30's with 4 kids, it always looked like new, however 4 years outside in the blazing sun it had become a lost cause, engine & driveline gone, interior gone, chrome trim gone. The next time Glenn & I went there I asked the guy what happened to it, they had striped and cut off the rear mudguards that fitted a standard car, and all the common parts for standard length 4 & 2 doors, then oxy torched the rest. In 1966 this was a car twice the price of a Rolls Royce or Ferrari, and not by error in pricing, these period Cadillacs were a statement to the world as to what the biggest, wealthiest American carmaker could create no expense spared. I own what is really the absolute last of these Premium Cadillacs, a GM Holden built, at Pagewood , Sydney Holden plant (now Westfield shops) in 1974 as a factory RHD car a Fleetwood Brougham Talisman. This introduced the world to Maxtrac, a joint steering, braking, traction control, self levelling system, Air Cushion restraint System (yep airbags in 1974) pretensioning anti porpoising seatbelts (so you cannot slide out and go under the dash the lower part of the belt around your stomach locks tight immediately it is clasped a G-force sensor in the roof mounted upper half control box & reel will wind you tight back into your seat if it senses massive braking in 1974) it has UV light proof thick glass in every window front screen, doors and back window , and both front & rear screens melt ice & snow, sense rain, and a warming device in the screen washer ensures in cold the washer fluid cannot freeze, Throw in self levelling air suspension and you have a fairly complete package. I bought my black 1974 model 42 years ago from its first owner who had ordered it from Vern Potts Holden dealership in South Head Road, Rose Bay in Sydney in late 1982 the 83 yr old owner had been affected by a stroke and could no longer drive. Equipped with the USA's biggest car engine ever made at that point 8.3 litres or 501cubic inches and near 500hp. Pure effortless reliability, the Americans called this engine the "jumbo" block and for good reason forget "horse" power, this has jumbo power, ultra power waiting with no revving required , just the smallest press on the accelerator pedal. 1974 was the year we went metric this Aussie built car has a kilometres speedo and odometre, when bought as an 8.5yr old car it had 102,700klms recorded, when its oil was last changed the odometre was reading 705,000klms. It replaced my first 1965 Jaguar mk10 that Pa & I RHD swapped when I was at Syd' uni. Never thinking that 42 years later I would still be driving it, but I've treasured it once I found out how rare it was as a fully loaded Talisman. For 42 years its maintenance has been claimed to the taxman instead of driving some modern boring everyone has one car, so it looks and drives like new as it has been serviced to the "n"th degree to keep it like new. At 6metres long, 2 metres wide and weighing in at 3180kg it is no ordinary car particularly in black enamel paint it surely stands out, best of all everything still works just fine. Show me this type of quality in a car today !! regards . GH

[@davidmwood560]

I only ever managed to own one V12 Jaguar XJ, I loved it for three whole weeks! Until a very nice gentleman came up to me at a show and paid me three times the amount I'd bought it for! I've had a few series 1 & 2 XJ6's; they're all lovely cars. A bit pricey now though, so I'm about to buy a P5b Rover - another fast appreciating classic. Great video James, thank you.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Fabulous choice the Rover, another stately car

[@markwalton8644]

Mmm. Would you let Jayemm drive it. I always wondered how these drove?

[@TheHorsebox2]

My absolute favorite car ever. I had '71 Series 1, 2.8 when I was 19. Bought for a hundred Irish pounds in 1984. 11 miles per gallon, she was very occasional weekend use only. But, God, I adored it. Since then, I've had five Series 3s, currently an '88 Daimler Double Six. In fact, I refuse to be without one of these things, silly really. Great review, thanks, man.

[@chriscooks9850]

Bravo to the young lad that runs this Jaaaaaagg. It's well and truly a fingers up protest to the modern world of motoring we enthusiasts are being forced into. Well done sir.

[@lptomtom]

Oh look it's the typical boomer victim complex crying in the comments of a car video *again*

[@rolfmak1400]

On a holiday in the UK with an XJ-S V12 I did over the whole trip of about 1500 miles an average of 18mpg. That was an HE model, but absolutely better as max 10 mpg as suggested. On one long motorway trip it did even 21! Not that bad!

[@nigelbond4056]

I take my hat off to the owner, a magnificent car. I’ve owned a few XJ series 1s, my favourite was a 1973 Daimler Double-Six Vanden Plas. Boy, I regret selling that 😢

[@SirDigbyMinge-or8md]

My Father got pulled over for speeding on the A74 in Sconny Botland in an S2 V12. The cop said " We clocked you at 97 mph. You're not in England now" My Dad replied "I'm Welsh". "Carry on Sir, have a nice day!"

[@raycroal]

us scots always feel ashamed when we presume a welshman an englishman

[@gdfggggg]

@@raycroalwell, I’m an English man and I love my Welsh and Scottish brothers. I was abused by a couple of Scottish guys in a restaurant for being English, and similar by the Welsh. We’ve got bigger problems, than hating your neighbours just around the corner. We need to be brothers…

[@raycroal]

@@gdfggggg you shouldn't be abused for being english alone that is out of order but if you were being a knob i could see how it might come up.

[@garethhanna9173]

I had a late Series III V12, a wonderful thing despite the hilarious fuel consumption. The V12 was hobbled by the antedeluvian 3 speed gearbox. Anyone buying one of these in 1992 was effectively getting a built to order classic car with all the horrific build quality issues firmly in the past.

[@varsas10]

I had a 1989 V12 XJ-S, it drove wonderfully but, like you, I thought the gearbox really held it back. Oddly I didn't feel the same about either of the two S1 XJ6's I had, the XK engine just worked better with it.

[@neilhurt1992]

Crikey! What a lovely looking car. Reminds me of when I was 19 and bought a 1968 Jaguar 2.4 Mk2. Marvellous to waft around in that with various ladies in tow...Cost me £1100 back in the day (a lot of money for a trainee RAF pilot!). Flogged it about 18 months later to one of my flying instructors. Good job I was posted away from that base as I heard a few months later that it had suffered a bit of a mechanical meltdown - oops - caveat emptor and all that. Cheers from a rather chilly, rainy and windy Otford, Kent, UK.

[@gkstanfield]

I’m so proud of this kid… What acumen…and great taste! My first boss in car restoration had a ‘76 XJ12C…he loved it! Pale olive green; black Everflex roof; biscuit leather….clean, well-kept and enjoyed well! Young car enthusiasts with classic tastes fascinate me… I was the same then and now…. Be kind; answer questions at car shows; let people sit in it…and rule the road in your timeless V12!

[@ILikeCarsAndYouShouldToo]

Absolutely agree. Thank you

[@JCW-jx6ld]

Wow like going back in time , a mobile museum that everybody loves .

[@rcclassicgarage]

Happy to see you improving the image of the Jag! I join you on that mission having owned my Etype for 14 years now!

[@longtailgt]

Man, I absolutely love these old Jags! (and have done since I was a child) They just ooze of class, elegance and beauty! Well done to Ethan for bearing the torch! If I was in his place (only 8 years older than him) I would've done the same thing!

[@stephendavies6949]

Another Jaaag. I now have a smiley face, which is unusual for a Wednesday. My sister had a last of the line XJ12 in the 90s, and I borrowed it for a time. It was magnificent in all situations and environments. But, according to the trip computer, it did between 9 & 12 mpg when pottering around my home town of Merthyr Tydfil. Happy memories. Closing shot that showed the white on black number plate was classy way to end the film.

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

There is so many things that can be done with these engines to improve both their economy and performance these days. Mobeck Tekniske is making retrofit injection and ignition kits, more direct steering racks, 5-speed transmission kits, suspension kits... Would love a Series 2 or 3 with some upgrades.

[@mohammadcheema7375]

I’m a fair bit younger than this Jag - but it’s one of my all time favourite cars. A v12 saloon will eventually become unimaginable to future generations. Thank you for this video.

[@Dave-in-France]

This is a lovely video if you are a Jaaaaag fan - which I am. I remember in the early 1970's I was reading a review in the "Motor" magazine and the single comment that sticks in my mind is "The only difference between 100 mph and 120 mph in this XJ12 is a slight increase in hum from the engine compartment" - Lovely understatement.😍

[@anonymous_bot_bot]

I grew up watching the Equalizer. Every time RMcC got in the Jaag it was an epic moment for me. At the tender age of 24 I bought a 4.2i SIII sov. It was incredibly good value for money and a great drive, an event to look at and sit inside. Still think its one of the best looking saloons made. 2 ashtrays, massive centre console and 2 filler pipes, the only downside was the cylinder head gasket went and the garage was unable to split the block (even with a forklift on it), so so was sold and replaced with an integrale. That was a good car too.

[@williestyle35]

I was wondering if anyone would mention the original _'Equalizer'_ tv series! With Edward Woodward as 'McCall" ! Congratulations for remembering this tv show. xD

[@cristianseres1353]

♦️The Equalizer is one reason why Daimler Double Six was my dream car in my youth! Finally I have one.

[@adamscarchannel5578]

Maintain that Jag and Leave it Alone. That's exactly the kind of car you want to find: a good driver and loads of character. Glad to see it where it belongs: on the road.

[@krisztianvajda2849]

Hi Jay, I live in Canada and my brother-in-law used to have a 1992 XJ6. Back in 2006 while his was at the local specialist shop, he got a loner car for about a month. It was a 1988 Vander Plas V12. She was beautiful! Black with a gold coach line and a cream interior. The car was in immaculate condition. At the time I had a 2.0 mk3 golf and my brother-in-law was going on a round trip 1,350km journey. So we had swapped cars for a week. I absolutely enjoyed driving the old jag (other then the fuel economy). The V12 was so smooth and I loved the lightness of the steering wheel. I was also getting lots of looks while driving, especially from older gentlemen. At the time I was only 18 years old and probably looked out of place in such a classy vehicle.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

I had a lawyer friend who chose a Jag V12 while I settled on the tried and true Mercedes SEL. Up to 100 mph or so , the Merc felt like a truck, a very expensive truck:) BUT going across Nevada one time in a hurry, I was tooling along at about 120 or so and the thought hit me, "so THAT's why these things are so expensive." .i.e. 120mph felt about 65 or 70:) My buddy with the Jag, was MUCH happier with his ride, plush and kind of 'Viscous", HOWEVER, I can't tell you how many times he had to borrow my Merc to ferry his clients around as his Jag seemed to be LIVING in the shop LOL. When it ran though, it was truly an elegant ride. Once he borrowed the Merc so he could carry 5 in the car, and loaned me his Jag (Black with White leather upholstery) as I was just going to a rodeo with a GF who was in that busiiness. As we pulled into the contestant parking lot, everyone stopped and watched us park and get out, Gazing at the Jag, one rider flicked his head towards the Jag and exclaimed, , : "Nice Truck" :) Whatever floats your boat :)

[@polopowered]

Cool Story Bro.

[@albanana683]

I had an old XJ6, while my friend had a new Mercedes. We were driving from Germany to Italy. The autobahn stuff was easy, but he couldn't keep up in the mountains. I guess he did have the benefit of a nice plastic interior that was easy to keep clean.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

@@albanana683 on the other hand, you didn't have the epitome of British electrical engineering found in the V12 :) Ask a BMW exec how long it took to try to re-engineer that circuitry- Ford couldn't do it at all LOL.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

@@albanana683 Oh, while we're at it, let me tell you about the business drive I once took with our German affiliate from Munich to Vienna in which the fellow drove his big Mercedes Sedan, the whole way at something over 100 mph with the five of us in the car, AND IN THE RAIN! Two of the guys with me tried to get out of the car when we stopped momentarily for petrol LOL. Funny thing was he spent most of the time apologizing for the Merc, wishing there had been fewer of us so he could have driven us down in his BMW and shown us what a 'REAL' German auto could do:) If my memory serves, the whole trip took a hair less than 3 hours.:)

[@albanana683]

@@seeratlasdtyria4584 I'm not sure why you are bringing BMW into this discussion, it has nothing to do with them. The re-engineering that Ford did was all about better bodyshop and electrical practices. I'm not sure what you think Ford couldn't do. The wiring loom on a post-Ford Jaguar is night and day compared to what went before. I've made a number of modifications myself over the years, it's not rocket science.

[@blastingweevil2968]

70's jag's were AWSOME my Granfather had 2 Daimlers soverign a chocolate metallic brown one and a white one he loved them, soo much i have many many good memories in them !! rigning in them was like floating on air.

[@leviddesign4537]

Classic car lovers never get old.

[@albanana683]

They just buy a new hat. Good to see a shot of one on the back seat of the Jaag. But never seen JayEmm wear one, no mater how many Rovers he drives.

[@PeteYeado]

My father in the 1970's had a XJ-S V12 manual. Also a XJ6 Coupe. In 1970 we drove to Spain on his MK2 Jag. If only we could go back. Thanks for promoting these cars not just what Arthur Daly had😂. He had a Jensen Interceptor MK2 plus a Lotus Elite 503 and a Esprit. Very funny story why he brought that! Then I wonder why I like old cars😂. Great video and knowledge. Love your humour😂😂 .

[@ArthurFeinberg]

You forgot to mention the beautiful Coupe version. In 1977, I bought a Regency Red '75 XJ12C and kept it for over twenty years. I've never loved or missed another car so much (except maybe for a XK120M, I also once owned). Driving was a challenge during the fuel crisis of the mid 1970, when I was averaging 7mpg on average. The most range I ever achieved was 175 miles on both tanks. I finally disconnected the kick-down switch and used the shift lever to make downshifts when purposely needed. In fact, I bought it in for service one time and the mechanic called me and asked if I knew it was only running on 11 cylinders. A nub had broke off the distributor shaft, disabling that cylinder. Because of the engine's torque, you would barely feel the difference.

[@PeteMcK500]

Nice. A friend's uncle had an XJ6 when I was little in the 1970s, I promised myself one day I'd have a Jag for myself. On my third now and no regrets!

[@TheEarlofK]

My father bought an XJ6 4.2 when it came out in 1968. After previously having a 3.8, an S-Type and an E-Type, the XJ6 was like something from another world in terms of design and he was very proud of it. Unfortunately, we toured Europe that Summer and literally just after leaving Calais we were hit by an errant 2CV on the wrong side of the road, crumpling the nearside wing where I was sitting in the front passenger seat, the only road accident I've been in; to say my father was annoyed would be a severe understatement. Jaguars have always had an unslakeable thirst, I remember the original S-Type had twin fuel tanks and you could literally watch one drain and switch to another on the dashboard whilst poodling along; of course, the oil crisis of 1973 killed the sales of the dipsomaniac XJ6 V12.

[@john1703]

The 4 carbs on the V12 engine (also E Type) were because Lucas had not yet mastered the dynamic range required for the injectors (tickover to full beans). BTW the rear discs are inboard, as on all IRS Jags of the period.

[@jdtseventyfour]

You've got to love an old Jag. I was lucky enough to be an engineer at jaguar for a while over the last 20 or so years. I loved the older cars they just had something about them and the XJ with a V12 is a beauty. I also love that a 20 year old gets it (I'm nearly as old as his XJ) so it shows the passion for great cars is still there in the younger generation. When my 21 year old son was told that this young chap had spent his student loan on it he replied you'd kill me then thought no. You would be impressed but mum would kill me lol. As always thanks for sharing your thoughts on a glorious old Jag.

[@alexholt4148]

The owner sounds like a legend, student loan haha brilliant 👏

[@gavinsmith28]

My dad had the XJSC V12, and I loved it- so smooth! But gearbox and fuel consumption let it down - we zoomed past econoboxes twice, as we had to refuel!

[@andrewstones2921]

I owned a 1974 Daimler Double Sovereign V12 when I was 20 years old back In 1984 , it was a money pit and I could barely afford to run it, it corroded underneath while still looking fabulous outside and inside so I traded it for a XJ6 4.2, which despite having a thirst for every fluid in car and needing levels checked and topped for steering, transmission, engine and coolant every time I put fuel In, it never actually broke down or left me stranded. Now I’d love one again.

[@Jalreal]

This young man has excellent taste. Very cool car! Who doesn't love a Jaaag?

[@TheBTG88]

Harry Metcalf spent a pretty penny on his 12 cylinder coupe to get it running right.

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

And added a manual transmission... The way it should have always been available from the factory.

[@mej6519]

@@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13 the manual swap was already done by the previous owner.

[@TJSTR]

I just wish he’d left it in squadron blue!

[@garyestcourt2377]

And it wud have been cheaper, God knows what that special Aston Martin colour cost 🥴​@@TJSTR

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

@@mej6519 Was it?... Well the point remains, they should've sold them like that from the factory. That over square V12 was born for a well sorted manual to heel and toe. Arguably the best sounding car in Harry's collection.

[@ChrisEggleton-s7f]

Thank you for giving the old V12 Jaguar a sympathetic hearing, they are, as you noted, a cracking good car. I have a Daimler VDP Double Six variant which is quite rare, and having spent the larger part of its life in Australia is completely rust free. It is my daily drive, and whilst thirsty around town gets a reasonable 13 mpg on an interstate run. I drove the Daimler last year from Adelaide to Newcastle, which is 1,528km in two days at around 80 - 90 mph on largely two way blacktop, with a decent highway when you get to Victoria. Great trip in a comfortable, powerful car, done effortlessly. Cheers Chris

[@michaelgilbert2018]

Nice to see an honest fuel consumption report! People claim marvellous figures. A Mk2 new was 15mpg, mine is 12mpg and anyone getting more than 10mpg in a v8/12 anything of the era is an optimist!

[@KipKippax]

In 1979 as a 23yr old I bought a 1969 Series One XK6 4'2 manual in Maroon for I think around £300 . It started my love affair with Jaaags...Loved watching your video on the V12 .

[@cristianseres1353]

Daimler Double Six was my dream car when I was a child. Now I have one from 1990, driven about 100k kms. Such a beatiful car and engine. I always admire the amount of heat it creates. I can imagine pre H.E. models were very hot.

[@andrewausterfield6710]

I agree, this thing just oozes cool. Like you say, if it won't run, you could take pleasure just looking at it.

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Pipe and slippers brigade. Great description. I've always been a fan of the way the XJS-12 just on looks alone.

[@AaronChapman-s3t]

Glad these cars are being appreciated again. My British relatives would sneer at these old Jags and they were wrong!

[@oldclassiccarUK]

Very nice, ran a midnight blue S1 XJ12L in my early 20s too (albeit in the mid 1990s), it was a wonderful old motor to waft around in. Looked great parked outside the job centre every week, usually running on fumes.

[@bigboost2641]

Many decades ago I owned a Daimler Sovereign 4.2 series 3, I lived with my parents in a council house and worked in a warehouse but felt like a boss! 🤣

[@albanana683]

I used to drive a 3.5 V8 Rover SD1 to the unemployment office to collect my dole money. Teenagers huh!

[@DavidWhite-ci2tc]

Great video, in 1973/4 I had three cars in my garage: a Daimler Double 6, a Ford 302V8 GTHO, and a Triumph GT6 all fantastic cars, in early 80s I bought an XJ6 and 280 Merc in late 80s a 320 Merc and early 90s a BMW e32 728i, in 1998 I bought an E38 740iL which I still own - it’s done 300,000 clicks - all were fabulous cars. To me it’s hard to say what has been the best but the DD6 and E38 take some beating for their eras, even today after 26 yrs the E38 still performs like it’s new and gives some modern ones a run for their money 😂

[@DavidWhite-ci2tc]

Oh my second car as OAP is a Honda Jazz which James recently reviewed and I can confirm with it’s vtec engine it’s a great runabout 😂😂

[@rodhunt5199]

I’m now 66 but when I was a student I earned good money on building sites (you could just walk on one in those days and get signed up as a labourer) I bought an old Daimler 4.2 and ran it for a year before university when I sold it…what a blast, still miss it all these years later

[@andyohara1393]

My father had a brand new Series 2 XJ 12 5.3 litre in 1977. It was white with a black vinyl roof. It replaced a Series 1 XJ 6 4.2 litre car. I remember he had an account with a petrol garage in Southgate, North London, for him and his two business partners, one of the partners had a Series 3 E Type V12 Coupe and the other had a Rolls Royce. I bet the owner of that petrol garage in Southgate used to rub his hands together every month when submitting his invoice for payment 😄

[@withheld566]

I had XJ12 he when I was 21. Black with doeskin leather it was great...if a touch crusty in places. I loved it and it always got attention wherever we went anywhere in it

[@leejam5268]

S1 XJ12's were quite rare over here in Australia, my dad had a very early 1968 S1 XJ6 manual overdrive. The car was crazy fast, with 5 gears it wold cruise at 90mph at 3000rpm. He said it was the best car he'd ever driven. Good to see this one still on the road (pity about the chrome strip and leaper on the bonnet though)

[@EleanorPeterson]

14:00 - Pub landlord? Yes. I can definitely see Al Murray's character driving an XJ-6. "Like my Jaaaaag? Byoodiful Briddish car..."😁

[@albanana683]

And they were all in the strange purple colour reserved for Arthur Daley type characters. Must have been some kind of tax concession.

[@DFM-oq7op]

Had a ton of XJ’s for work purposes from the mid 80’s until mid 90’s. 3.4 basic spec to the Daimler Double Six’s. Company had a deal with Stratstones, so they were replaced every couple of months. All were absolutely terrible. The German’s swooped in with BMW & Mercedes. Closely followed by Lexus. All of those were beautifully engineered and extremely reliable. But they weren’t ‘Jaags’. The Jaguars were unrivalled in the velvety smoothness of the ride. Charming interiors and a joy to look at. Even the XJ40 had something about it. Except the 2.9 litre model. It’s a real shame Jaguar stopped making the XJ. I had a demo supercharged Autobiography a few years ago. It was as good as an Audi A8 or 7 series. This old girl is a delight to see. Wonderful to know it’s owned by a youth. I hope he drives it wearing a cravat.

[@Nils_Martin]

Series one XJ is my favorite part from the 75 XJC which is absolutely epic..!!

[@WazzaG076]

A mate with some mechanical skills bought one in the seventies. It was the most glorious car I had ever ridden in. Beautiful to look at. Smooth and effortless to ride in but a nightmare for an amateur mechanic to work on and it soon was passed on

[@JamesPink-j2k]

Fabulous cars... I was in the motor trade through these days and I have owned every model of Jaguar and Damler XJ from 2.8 Series 1 through the 4.2s to the V12 saloons and Coupes. Favourite? A BRG Daimler double six with dark green leather and green sundym glass. Fabulous!

[@mikefaulhaber]

Hats off to you, James. This is a particularly excellent feature on a delightful motor. Harry M.'s playlist on his XJC is a natural drool-fest to follow this.

[@pierrelindenstrand6273]

The first generations of XJ are iconic cars - even with the "regular" IL6engines - the styling combined with very appealing blend of comfort, sport and brittish traditional design/value - the six cylinders are bargains, even super nice ones can be had for reasonable money, and they grow more beautiful for each year that passes!

[@kuseetha.]

fell in love with S1 XJ12, as a schoolboy back in 90s. Still my dream sedans, this and the Maserati S1 QP.

[@davidjames2910]

A great point about how this car brought people together.

[@amphilbey]

Love this video Jay, fantastic car and fair play to the owner, class choice. Always remember seeing a XJ12 being filled up at a petrol station in the 80s and watching the owner fill up both tanks.

[@pauloakes5718]

My uncle had the double six Daimler Jag in 1976 till the mid eighties. Reg was Toy 1. Loved that car and always wondered if it was ever restored. I like to think so. It averaged 12 miles to the imperial gallon.

[@roversteve8772]

Thanks for another Wonderful video, Love to see move cars from this era. Great to see a young guy owning and appreciating it. The old Jags from the past are so Special, I sure you get more attention driving this Beautiful XJ12 than one of the latest models.

[@glennob7663]

A had a series 3 XJ6 a few years ago and it parted traffic on the motorway like nothing else I’ve ever had. Such presence.

[@thenewviceroy]

Here in Australia, the distances are tyrannical, so if you had a carb-fed XJ12, you had money. I knew a nice man who had an early Series 2, with the same mechanical set-up as this car, and he swore that the engine was so much more efficient cruising at 100kmh/62mph in second gear. Seemed to be a sweet-spot for the over-square engine. I never had any way to check that, but Ethan might. Worth a try... Great work keeping a classic on the road.

[@matthewwiddows6319]

22 years ago, my student loan went on a 1995 volvo 850 t5!!

[@JRattheranch]

Oooo! Happy memories of my 1974 V12 Daimler Coupe! And the electric windows were standard! Fantastic car, when it worked 😅😅😅!

[@geoffhann6612]

In 1976 my cousin had a Daimler Sovereign Double-Six, which was a rebadged XJ12. I asked him what the "map" button was. and he joked that the car knew where you were, and when you pressed the button a map appeared showing the area you were in!

[@RalphHancock]

About the comfort of the suspension of the Series 1 XJ: I have driven in Rome in one of these, a 4.2 manual, and in a Rolls Silver Shadow of the same era. The streets of Rome are full of large rough cobbles. The Jaguar lapped these up without the slightest distress and not even much noise from the tyres pattering over the bumps. The Rolls rattled and bounced sadly, it just couldn't cope.

[@slartybartfarst9737]

Ive owned a number of Jags from in the 80s a Bright red / cream leather XJS V12 5.3 to the 90s a British racing green XJR 4.0 Supercharged and a smattering or XJ 40 in between. Both cars went like stink and liked the drink, both had that unique Jag handling / comfort balance that I so miss today, love this road test, the very best of the Jaguar rides was the old series XJ saloons, never got to drive a V12, I bet thats a real weapon and that is style........but the fuel cost...........ouch.....electronic ignition will also improve fuel economy by say 10% Get a road test in the 6 cylinder 4.0 Supercharged XJ that Supercharged 6 makes a noise and goes like nothing else.

[@gvamedia]

Thanks James for this one. An early V12 is a rarity on the road. I drive a series one six for almost twenty years now and it is for me the one car that 50 years later still does what the brochure tells: It never fails to impress. With a manual transmission and overdrive the performance is also very good and surprisingly economical on long trips (around 10 Liters/100km). The later models somehow can not replicate that magic quite as the series 1-3 cars do.

[@marcdelaunay1]

Loved these…my old man had one but traded it in for Daimler 4.2 6 cylinder because he preferred it and insisted it was more luxurious than the jag…I always preferred the v12 jag as a kid…

[@Husseyfied]

My second car in 1979 Scotland when I was a mere 19 years old was a XJ6 4.2. looked like the same interior and dash, with what I think was something like 13 toggles. SAV147K. Still miss it.

[@christopherpollard7244]

Dude the Leonardo jab got me rolling 🤣

[@thomasrogers4534]

Had an old V12 XJ as courtesy car (one man back street garage) when my XJS 3.6 manual was undergoing work. My overriding memory was of watching the fuel needle not so slowly move down.

[@janvanrees7055]

I am 191cm long, accelerated with my right foot and braked with my left foot. No way to do it any other way. Years later a friend of mine told me he did exactly the same. My series 1 1969 4.2 was a beauty and loved it.

[@hammer_town]

Harry has showed just what the V12 is capable of.

[@philiptidmarsh]

Fabulous. I absolutely love classic Jags and relate more to slightly scruffy ones as they were what we had back in the 90's when we could not really afford to run them. Put a headliner in it and it would be perfect in my eyes.

[@syntetiskvag4458]

Lovely to see one of your well produced video of a series 1! Thank you James

[@terryhearttea789]

Lovely 'Jaaagg!' Beautiful car, great review. 13:47 "Fastest thing with 4 doors on planet earth!" made me laugh. You awoke my inner anorak! No denying the Jag was an amazing saloon, I would still say in the top 5 fastest at the time. Also it was sold world wide which is the main point. I thought the XY Ford Falcon GT Phase 3 was the fastest saloon. There is a BUT! Long story. (Sorry for my moaning.LOL.) In Australia we love 'Jaaags' too, but considered expensive. We could get big simple cars cheaper, and less comfortable, with big V8s. Here Down Under in the 70s it was drummed into us kids we had the fast production 4 door saloon / sedan, "in the world." We was told it was the 71 Ford Falcon GTHO 351 XY Phase III, 5.8 L V8, 300hp+, 150mph+. (Lots of info online). The truth being they were built for production sedan racing. More race than road. Also the catch being they was only sold in Australia and South Africa. So nobody else could buy a Falcon GT, or knew about it. Also scary was it came with a live rear axle and rear leaf springs. (Coils and disk fronts.) The Jag XJ was way ahead with independent suspension all round, (and rare for here) disk brakes all round. Jags were much more comfortable. (The 72 XA Falcon GT Phase IV was better and even faster than the XY GT but was stopped after 4 was built due to government rules. Production V8 cars got their power limited after that).

[@AndrewMunro-w3t]

This made me dig out the photos of mine, I was 21 in 1987 driving around in S1 xj12 HVG 150L. Bit of a poo brown colour but lovely fawn leather interior. Averaged 14mpg😂 Had a rear blowout at 80mph on the A14, only realised what the noise was when I pulled over, never affected the handling 😮. Gorgeous motor but couldn’t afford to keep it more than 18 months, traded down to a sensible 1976 BMW528😂. Andy. Edit, mine had original 4 electric windows as well.

[@TheSeventhSeal]

I've had two HE v12s, and typically on a run I'd expect to average 18-20mpg. The only time you saw the low teens was in heavy traffic or if you were being a hooligan. I much enjoyed the hooligan element.

[@cheyennedogsoldiers]

I always wanted one of these when I was younger and managed to get myself the Series III Daimler variant back in 2002 and loved it. However it did have a 5 speed conversion which was fantastic behind this engine. It was meant to be a weekend car but ended up my daily driver. In fact I loved driving it so much that in the 4 years I owned it I put almost 50K miles on it. Sadly it was rear ended and written off in 2006.

[@rororp]

Interesting video. From memory the Series 2 cars gained EFI in early 1975. Twin fuel tanks were a feature of all 6 and 12 cyl Series 1-3 cars.

[@SparkyGage]

Bonus points for the Purple Cord shirt from a happy XJS and X300 owner.

[@3ducs]

I was shocked to hear what the lad paid. Though a really nice Series 3 4.2 VDP i looked at several months ago was priced at $25,000 USD. I ended up buying a 2006 XJ8 4.2 VDP LWB for $14,000 USD. It has 81,000 miles, rides on coil-overs and has a new headliner. I haven't done an exact mileage test but I'm pretty sure its close to 20+ mpg, even with our smaller US gallons.

[@peoplehavetherights]

My 2007 XJ8L is fully capable of 75mph at 28-31mog, which is pretty darn reliable as well.

[@danielheathcote5625]

My head teachers husband had a white Series three V12 - boy did it waft! Our school drive was 3 miles long and I got a lift back up it after a cross country injury - he wasn’t shy about hoofing it

[@AngelDlamini-g3k]

The legend lives on

[@daviddunmore7076]

A friend had one back in the '70s ('N' reg series 2 which he took to Germany so he could enjoy it properly on the unrestricted Autobahns.

[@robertharris7027]

That's a nice one. Thanks for the video. I totally understand this boy.