It’s fair to say that the Jaguar XJ6 and XJ12 Series I were a resounding success. Jaguar’s plan to rationalise a range of four different model families and nine different models with two different engine families into a single model range meant business for the company could be far easier – and to boot, it avoided unnecessary clashes within the new British Leyland stable. Whether you wanted a basic XJ6 2.8 standard or a Daimler Sovereign 4.2, the majority of the components were the same – meaning they could be bought in bulk, reducing their price and increasing the potential for profit. The new V12 engine of 1972 attracted even more followers for the model, accelerating the car to north of 140mph and making it the fastest true four seater in the world in the process.
And it’s easy to see why. Whether it had a six or a V12 under the bonnet, the XJ was a great car to drive – light steering, sharp handling, and plenty of all round visibility combined with a great driving position and comfortable seats. Even the short wheelbase made for a great car, but the launch of the long wheelbase made it into a limousine the company could be proud of, and one which was able to wrest the title of “Greatest Car in the World” from Rolls-Royce.
But by 1973, legislation in
