There is an oft used saying “never go back”, used mostly in connection with former girlfriends, holiday destinations and restaurants - but cars? This question was particularly pertinent, because when asked “what is your favourite car from your personal back catalogue?” – my most frequent reply is the XJ12C. I purchased mine in 1986, its first mission was to collect my newborn daughter from hospital, then it was pressed into service as my ‘daily driver’ until its retirement intervened in mid-2000 – Ican’t recall exactly why.
Ownership highlights included a 1988 trip to LeMans to witness Jaguar’s sixth victory, a wedding car for CJ contributor Lindsay Ross and towing vehicle for my 3.8 S-type racecar. Anyone who is married to me will tell you that I am very adept at buying cars and far less successful at selling them. Hence, XYC3S has been in my possession ever since, having undergone one restoration in the ‘90s – it now awaits another. My current ‘dailies’ are an X260 XF Sportbrake 3.0S and a S1 Lotus Elise. As I stare mortality in the face, I have been given to wonder, is there still a place in my life for a somewhat uneconomic V12 and was it really as good as I remember?
SETTING THE SCENE
Since it’s retirement, the coupe has stayed with me through two house moves and as a result of enjoying multiple trailer rides, it’s mileage of 55.5k has not increased by any more than a few yards. It has long been playing on my mind whether the car still has a purpose and if a relatively expensive and time consuming restoration would lead to ultimate disappointment. How could I decide?
In the spirit of ‘a plan coming together’ – afortuitous call from our very own Letitia Mace set the Kent alloy wheels in motion. Arch Jaguar enthusiast
