1973 Jaguar XJ6 Series II 4.2
(Featured on 6th December 2013)
Make: Jaguar
Model: XJ6
Year: 1973
Registration: NDD 55M
Mileage: 59,500
Sellers original description:
1973 Jaguar XJ6 4.2 Auto.
Genuine cars with lovely provenance always make me smile. Owned by a brother and sister from new to July 2008 and with just 59,500 miles recorded backed-up with full service history, this time-warp XJ6 presented in virtually unmarked Sable with Cinnamon trim has stolen my heart.
Introduced in September 1968, the XJ6 was described by Sir William Lyons as the “finest Jaguar ever” and continued the historic trend of building luxury saloon cars with performance to match. Available initially as either a 2.8 or 4.2 litre straight-6 engine mated to Borg-Warner automatic transmission, the cars featured full leather interiors, walnut trim and optional air-conditioning. From July 1972, the V12 engine became part of the line-up, branded the XJ12 and offering storming performance and openly marketed as the “fastest full four-seater in the world today”. A year later, the model was face-lifted (Series II) with a smaller grille and revised bumpers to meet US safety regulations as well as a completely revised interior and better air-conditioning system.
Our car is a very early Series II example being first registered in October 1973 to a lady in Monmouth. The original bill of sale from Mann Egerton & Co. of Cheltenham confirms that the car was supplied with “electronically operated windows, a Radiomobile 1095T radio and wing mounted aerial”. Withy delivery and number plates, a total price of £3908.31. Mann Egerton continued to maintain the car thereafter with the original Passport to Service documenting 6 services to July 1978 (13,406 miles). For the next 13 years, the car was serviced by a variety of local garages (a further 5 stamps) during which time the ownership was transferred from our lady keeper to her brother in Ross-On –Wye. From April 1991 onwards, this gentleman used a specialist garage in the same town, Gardner Butcher Garages, who subsequently maintained the car for the next 17 years. The Passport is stamped-up to 1994 but thereafter the paper trial continues on a computerised print-out with no less than 29 visits for service work and maintenance! Significant recent work included new sills in 2005.
The paper-trail stops in March 2008 at 59,069 miles. Just after this (July 2008), the car was sold to its third registered keeper, a gentleman in Ludlow, and shortly thereafter, put away into dry storage. For the next 5 years the car slumbered before seeing the light of day once more just 2 months ago. Since acquiring the car, we have undertaken a full service and MOT as well as some minor detailing. The photographs speak for themselves. Both bodywork and paint-work are quite astonishing with excellent chrome. Inside the original Cinnamon trim has cleaned-up well with excellent original carpets, head-lining and door cards. The only cosmetic job that is still “to do” is the rear parcel shelf where sun damage has caused some deterioration to the shelf lining.
On the road, the car is sublime. Smooth, powerful and exceedingly quiet, the car effortlessly climbs hills like no other car from this era. I was also impressed by the road-holding and handling. It is very easy to forget that you are piloting a 40-year old saloon. It genuinely feels far younger with echoes of a luxury saloon built in Munich rather than the Midlands!
The car comes with comprehensive service history from the original bill of sale in 1973 up to date, a fresh MOT Certificate to April 2014, an original Sales Brochure, an original Handbook and brown wallet, a Sales and Service Booklet, sundry bills from Mann Egerton, a maintenance guide and contemporary road-test report.
A time-warp example with fabulous provenance looking to start a new chapter.
Photos:
