Very pertinent that you posted a picture of the XJS engine. I was parked next to a V12 owner at a show recently and it was generally agreed that the engine layout either evolved or the designer was pissed out of his mind. What a complete and utter mess! Two pictures to compare:
I sometimes used to prank rude pisstakers like that by agreeing a deal and then giving them a false address.
As he likes America then Wrigley fields would seem an appropriate address, he might meet the Illinois Nazis or John Candy there…….
And there is definitely a difference between buyers of different things. List motorbike stuff and 99% of people are spot on, list guitars and it’s 50:50, list vintage/ valuable guitars and probably 90% time wasters. Once had a guy offer £1000 for an £8k early 60s Les Paul, then got arsey when I refused. That guitar would probably be £20k now.
It's not been possible to verify the age but the engine layout was the same right up to the end of production in 1996. I would hazard a guess that this photo is of a 1988 to 1994 model.
The V12 E types had 4 Stromberg carbs. I'm pretty sure this is a pre HE engine, I have one of the crankcases in my garden, and a full short engine on my shed.
I think the first XJS v12 were 1975. Claimed to be 153 mph too. Thats a fair effort for the times. Not too sure when the Beemer was made. Considering that between the Wright brothers first flight and Armstrong stepping in the moon was just 63 years, it shows the rate of development! LOL
I don't think the XJS in the photo is as early as 1975 but cannot be sure, most of the ones seen at shows tend to be later, probably mid to late 80's. The Beemer was made in 1990 during the final years of the XJS production but the pertinent point is that even XJS owners that I see at shows are staggered at how neat the Beemer engine bay is compared to the Jaguar.
That would indeed be impressive for 1975 but I am somewhat skeptical. My reason for saying so is that I grew up in SA during the 70's and each year Kyalami race track ran a 100mph club. After signing an insurance waiver absolutely anybody could take their car around the course and be timed down the straight. The fastest car I ever saw (in those days) was the Basil Green racing Capri Perana, clocked at 148mph when most "normal" cars were achieving 90 to 110mph. Basil Green went on to develop the Escort Perana and Cortina Perana but the Capri was always the one to have in its yellow and black livery. One just sold on Car and Classic for £50K. Sorry if this is the wrong thread for going down this road?
Its the design that was completed in '75, and given the relatively low sales and the perilous state of Jaguar I doubt it changed a great deal during the period. I've never driven an XJS v12 though I'd like to -especially flat out on a long straight! Most searches on XJS v12 specs say 150+ so I base my numbers on that. I've also never been to Kyalami and I'd like to do that too.
You’re confusing road speed with the rate at which most customers backed away from the service desk after getting their quote for a set of Plugs and Setting the clearances!
A friend of a friend has mentioned that someone that i know has gone into a Care Home in the Woking area for £8000 per month. I can't help thinking that we're all getting screwed by the machine.!
