A closer look at the rise, fall, and lasting charm of the Jaguar XJ-S.
A few days ago, I had an appointment at Motorworld Cologne. There, I saw a Jaguar XJ-S. A sad sight: the left front tire was flat, and the once-proud big cat seemed forgotten. Yet behind its current state of decay lies the fascinating story of a unique sports car.
Forgotten Jaguar XJ-S?
The Jaguar XJ-S was launched in 1975 as the successor to the legendary E-Type. It was controversial from the start, as its design, with the distinctive C-pillars and long wheelbase, deviated significantly from the curvy style of its predecessor. While the E-Type was a classic sports car, the XJ-S was positioned as a luxurious grand tourer with powerful engines, emphasizing comfort and long-distance capability.
The Jaguar XJ-S war a racecar as well!
Legendary: The XJ-S in the European Touring Car Championship Nevertheless, the Jaguar XJ-S also proved successful on the racetrack, particularly making waves in the European Touring Car Championship. Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) fielded the XJ-S from 1982 onwards. In 1984, team principal Tom Walkinshaw, still behind the wheel himself, won the driver's title in the European Touring Car Championship. No wonder his son Fergus later used the XJ-S as the basis for his Supercat project.
Initially, the long hood housed only the mighty 5.3-liter V12 engine, previously used in the E-Type and the Jaguar XJ12 sedan. Designed by Walter Hassan and Harry Mundy, this engine delivered impressive performance. Starting in 1981, Jaguar also offered a 3.6-liter inline-six. In October 1983, Jaguar overcame its "fear" of open-top cars and introduced the XJ-SC, a cabriolet with a roll bar.
Poor quality and loyal fans
Its loyal fans loved the Jaguar XJ-S! At the time, the XJ-S, with its leather interior and wood veneer dashboard, was the epitome of British elegance. However, Jaguar's quality in the late 1970s and early 1980s was poor. It only improved after the company was allowed to separate from the state-owned Austin Rover Group. Additionally, Jaguar vehicles from the 1970s were prone to rust issues. Together, these factors led to image problems for the XJ-S.
Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) raced the Jaguar XJ-S
Despite this, the XJ-S built a loyal following, especially in the 1980s. Despite its issues, it proved extremely durable, with Jaguar producing the grand tourer for an impressive 20 years and 7 months. The production run is divided into three series:
- Series 1: 1975–1981
- Series 2: 1981–1991
- Series 3: 1991–1996
While the first two series were visually quite similar, the third series received a significant facelift. In 1991, Jaguar modernized its classic by replacing the previously common dual headlamps with a single headlight unit. The sad XJ-S I photographed in the Cologne parking lot likely belongs to the second series. Yet, despite its current state, the British classic still exudes a certain elegance.
Picture credits: Tom Schwede