This was the 370th Jaguar XJ6 4.2 litre right-hand-drive car to be manufactured. The colour is Sable, with a Cinnamon interior trim. For the first two years of its life, it was the personal transport of Sir William Lyons, Chairman of Jaguar Cars Limited. By 1976 it had covered approximately 60,000 miles. It then became part of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust collection. Stored until 1994, it was finally restored and put back into running order with sponsorship and assistance from the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club.
During the 1960s, Jaguar’s product policy had become somewhat confusing. By 1967 there were no less than four basic saloon ranges in production spawning a total of nine different models. Behind the scenes, a revision of design policy was leading to a new model slowly coming to fruition. In sum, this policy would lead to the existing, unwieldy ranges being replaced by a single basic design with a choice of engines available in either Jaguar or Daimler form.
The project was initially codenamed ‘XJ4’. However, the production version launched in September 1968 was subsequently named ‘XJ6’, boasting six cylinders and a choice of either a 2.8/4.2 litre XK engine. The body was new in every respect: the pinnacle of elegant Jaguar design that Sir William Lyons had refined over many years. The new car was especially noted too for its suspension which chief engineer Bob Knight had developed to reach new standards of handling and road-holding, coupled with remarkable passenger comfort.
The XJ6 was a typical Jaguar in offering good value for money. At launch the 4.2 litre car cost only £2,258 and offered high performance from its 245 bhp with a top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h). The car was an instant success and for a few years there were lengthy waiting lists. In its original Series 1 form, the XJ range was produced until 1973. Total production of all models amounted to 98,527 cars, including the XJ12 (twelve cylinder) car which was introduced in 1972 and all the Daimler versions.
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Registration: PHP 42G (4/02/1969) Engine: 4,235 cc, 6-cylinder Chassis no. 1L/1370-BW
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Displayed courtesy of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust from Monday 12 November to Sunday 18 November 2018.