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  • Jaguar XJ Series 2 (1973–1979)

Jaguar XJ Series 2

1973 to 1979
Jaguar XJ Series 2 history
Overview
Also called Jaguar XJ6 & XJ12 Jaguar XJ 3.4, XJ 4.2 & XJ 5.3  Daimler Sovereign Daimler Double-Six
Production 1973–1979 (1981) 91,227 produced
Assembly Coventry, England Cape Town, South Africa Nelson, New Zealand
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine 2.8 L XK I6 3.4 L XK I6 4.2 L XK I6 5.3 L Jaguar V12 engine
Dimensions
Wheelbase 108.75 in (2,762 mm) (swb: only sold until 1974) 112.75 in (2,864 mm) (lwb until 1974: thereafter all sedans)
Length 194.75 in (4,947 mm) (lwb until 1974: thereafter all sedans)
Width 69.75 in (1,772 mm)
Height 54 in (1,372 mm)
Kerb weight 3,841 lb (1,742 kg)

 

Commonly referred to as the "Series II", the XJ line was facelifted in Autumn 1973 for the 1974 model year. The 4.2 L I-6 XJ6 (most popular in the United Kingdom) and the 5.3 L V12 XJ12 were continued with an addition of a 3.4 L (3,442 cc or 210.0 cu in) version of the XK engine available from 1975.

The Series II models were known for their poor build quality, which was attributed to Jaguar being part of the British Leyland group along with massive labour union relations problems that plagued most of industrial England in the same time period, and to problems inherent in the design of certain Lucas-sourced components.

Initially the Series II was offered with two wheelbases, but at the 1974 London Motor Show Jaguar announced the withdrawal of the 'standard wheelbase' version: subsequent saloons/sedans all featured the extra 4 inches (10 cm) of passenger cabin length hitherto featured only on the 'long-wheelbase' model.By this time the first customer deliveries of the two-door coupe, which retained the shorter 'standard' wheelbase (and which had already been formally 'launched' more than a year earlier) were only months away.

Jaguar XJ Series 2 xj6 side

Visually, Series II cars are differentiated from their predecessors by raised front bumpers to meet US crash safety regulations, which necessitated a smaller grille, complemented by a discrete additional inlet directly below the bumper. The interior received a substantial update, including simplified heating and a/c systems to address criticisms of the complex and not very effective Series I system.

In April 1975, the North American Series II got a slightly revised set of front bumpers which had rubber overriders covering the full length of the bumper with embedded turn signals at each end. In 1976, the North American cars also got the addition of electronic fuel injection in the place of Zenith-Stromberg carburettors.

In May 1977, it was announced that automatic transmission version of the twelve-cylinder cars would be fitted with a General Motors three-speed THM 400 transmission in place of the British built Borg-Warner units used hitherto.

The 1978 UK model range included the Jaguar XJ 3.4, XJ 4.2, XJ 5.3, Daimler Sovereign 4.2, Double-Six 5.3, Daimler Vanden Plas 4.2, Double-Six Vanden Plas 5.3.

Jaguar XJ Series 2 xj12 x ray view

In New Zealand, knock-down kits of the Series II were assembled locally by the New Zealand Motor Corporation (NZMC) at their Nelson plant. In the last year of production in New Zealand (1978), a special 'SuperJag' (XJ6-SLE) model was produced which featured half leather, half dralon wide pleat seats, vinyl roof, chrome steel wheels and air conditioning as standard. New Zealand produced models featured speedometers in km/h, and the black vinyl mats sewn onto the carpets in the front footwells featured the British Leyland 'L' logo.

Though worldwide production of the Series II ended in 1979, a number were produced in Cape Town, South Africa until 1981.

A total of 91,227 Series II models were produced, 14,226 of them with the V12 engine.

 Jaguar XJ Series 2 xj 6 rear view

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Categories
Jaguar
British Automotive 1970s | Vehicles launched in 1973 | Zenith carburettor | Luxury Cars

Technical

  • Engines

    Years Type Capacity Horsepower
    1973–1975 DOHC I-6 2,792 (171 cu. in.) 140
    1975–1979 DOHC I-6 3,442 (210 cu. in.) 161
    1973–1979 DOHC I-6 4,235 (258 cu. in.) 245/162-186 See Note
    1973–1979 SOHC V12 5,343 (326 cu. in.) 265/244 See Note

    Note: HP varies depending on emission standards imposed on particular vehicles

    Production count

    Year XJ6 XJ12
    1973 1488 168
    1974 13526 4744
    1975 11990 2239
    1976 12157 3283
    1977 9043 1913
    1978 12138 3284
    1979 1099 429
    Total 61,441 16,060

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