Simon Cars - Jaguar XJS

In 1966 Malcolm Sayer produced a prototype for Project XJ21 which was heavily based on the existing E-type. But this along with other proposals were pushed aside by a new Project XJ27/28 which Malcolm Sayer should be based on the XJ4 platform (the as yet unlaunched Jaguar XJ6 saloon). At the same time it was decided to give this car the V12 engine which had yet to used in a production vehicle although the E-type would soon receive it. The 'Flying Buttresses' were given to the XJ27 at this point, for aerodynamic and strength purposes. Launched as the XJ-S in September 1975, the XJ-S struggled against a world recession but hung on, gaining the 'fireball head' modifield V12 HE engine in 1981. In 1983 Jaguar introduced the AJ6 3.6 six cylinder engine and this soon became available in the XJ-S. The first Jaguar 'convertible' version appeared in 1983 as the XJ-SC, but this retained the side windows and frames. For 1991 the XJ-S was restyled by Geoff Lawson who decided to keep the buttresses, and the car became 'XJS'. Underneath the car was re-engineered, and the AJ6 engine enlarged to 4-litre, and V12 enlarged to 6-litres in 1993. A true convertible was also introduced, and in 1996 the XJS gave way to the XK8.

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Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE. In 1981 a new High Efficiency 295bhp V12 engine was made available for the XJS.	Jaguar XJ-S 1990. In 1989 the AJ6 engine was upgraded to 3980cc 24valve DOHC 235bhp and fitted into the Jaguar XJ-S	Jaguar XJS 1995 Convertible. In 1991 the XJ-S officially became the "XJS" and was restyled. For the first time the convertible could be ordered with the AJ6 engine.	Jaguar XJ-SC. The XJ-SC was launched in 1983 as the first official open top version of the XJ-S. Only a 2-seater with fixed windows, the XJ-SC also had the new AJ6 3.6-litre 6cylinder engine. The 5.3-litre V12 was optional in the XJ-SC.	Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE. Malcolm Sayer penned the XJ-S but died before production started. Many were disappointed that this ungainly car should suceed the sensual E-type. Jaguar XJS cars were first and second at the 1982 Silverstone Tourist Trophy races.	Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE. The 'flying buttresses' are plain in this view and these were hated when the car was launched but attempts to remove them met opposition.
Jaguar XJ-S 1988 V12 Convertible. The first 'convertible' Jaguar XJ-S was 1983 XJ-SC cabriolet which had fixed side windows. In 1988 the true convertible took the place of the XJ-SC.	Jaguar XJ-S 1988 V12 Convertible. Although there had been a Hess & Eisenhardt convertible in America from 1986, the first Jaguar convertible did not reach the marketplace until 1988.	Jaguar XJ-S V12 Convertible. In 1988 the XJ-SC Cabriolet was replaced by this full convertible model.	Jaguar XJ-S 1990. In 1983 the more economic Jaguar AJ6 engine was optional on the XJ-S, but the V12 continued to sell.	Jaguar XJ-S 1990. The 'flying buttresses' are plain in this view and these were hated when the car was launched but attempts to remove them met opposition. The buttresses helped give the XJ-S good aerodynamics.	Jaguar XJS 1995 Convertible. In 1991 the XJ-S was rejigged so that body was easier to build and had less panels in order that quality might be improved. Thus was born the restyled MkIII now named "XJS" instead of "XJ-S"
Jaguar XJS 1995 Convertible. In 1991 the MkIII XJS convertible could now be purchased with the 6cylinder engine.	Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE. Jaguar XJ-S had single unit oval headlamps, except for some export markets where quad lamps were fitted. Many cars were fitted with quad lamps as an after market conversion.	Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE. Tail light	Jaguar XJ-S 1988 V12 Convertible - Tail light	Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE. Jaguar XJ-S had single unit oval headlamps, except for some export markets where quad lamps were fitted.	Jaguar XJS 1994. The MkIII restyle gave new rear side windows but attempts to remove the flying buttresses were resisted.
Jaguar XJS 1995 Convertible. In 1991 the MkIII XJS was launched with restyled bodywork that was also easier to build.	Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE. Rear window set between the flying buttresses.	Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE. Officially this car was called the "XJ-S", as the badge indicates, only becoming "XJS" with the 1991 facelift	Jaguar XJS 1995 Convertible. The MkIII XJS was launched in 1991 and restyled with these wraparound rear lamps.	Jaguar XJ-S 1981 V12 HE - front wheel	Jaguar XJ-S 1990 - front wheel
Jaguar XJS 1995 Convertible - rear wheel	Jaguar E-type	Jaguar XJ 1968-92	Jaguar XJ220	Jaguar XJC	Designer: Malcolm Sayer