Market Watch: Jaguar XJ Series I-III
Jaguar’s E Type ranks as its most visually compelling model, but the XJ6 Series I was without doubt the brand’s most important
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The XJ Series radically influenced prestige-vehicle design and left it in Jaguar’s keeping for more than a decade. The XJ6 blended traditional leather trim and walnut veneers with immense strength and the most sophisticated suspension available at that time beneath a mass-production saloon.
Jaguar’s Sir William Lyons was personally responsible for the XJ’s engaging shape. Nowhere upon the Series 1 exterior did the word ‘Jaguar’ appear, simply because the people who built them knew that their new car could not be mistaken for anything else.
Lyons’ influence waned during the 1970s and quality during the horror period of British Leyland ownership caused serious problems for Jaguar and its reputation.
The models that suffered most were Series 2 and early Series 3 cars, however diligent owners with deep pockets have helped survivors overcome many of the issues that caused during the 1970s.
Still, it is worth when buying any XJ Jaguar to be wary of electrical issues, oil leaks and rust.
The 5.3-litre V12 engine began in 1972 and remained until the end of the Series 3. With a team of mechanics on hand it’s brilliant, but well beyond the scope of most amateurs.
Cost and unreliability are why V12-engined XJs remain marginally more expensive than six-cylinder cars of similar age and quality.
The best buys are well-kept and authentic Series 1s with the 4.2-litre engine or a rare short-wheelbase Series 2. These with a manual transmission are like gold to Jaguar collectors and rarely come on to the market.
Even in auto form, Series 1 XJs have become rare, due in equal measure to rampant rust and people ruining them by installing V8 engines without modifying the suspension to suit.
Excellent S1 cars typically cost $25-30,000, while Series 2 and 3 versions in similar condition are $10,000 less. If you’re looking for luxury that’s more reliable, don’t walk past a mid-1980s' Series 3 Sovereign either. Often advertised at $20,000+ and can be slow to sell, so make an offer and see if the vendor accepts.
How the prices moved:
| MODEL | YEARS | COND 3 | COND 2 | COND 1 |
| 2010 | ||||
| XJ6 Series 1 4.2 | 1969-73 | $2000 | $6000 | $11,000 |
| XJ6 Series 2 4.2 | 1974-78 | $1200 | $4500 | $8500 |
| XJ6 Series 3 4.2 | 1979-86 | $1400 | $4500 | $8500 |
| XJ12 Series 1 | 1972-73 | $2700 | $8500 | $13,500 |
| XJ12 Series 2 | 1974-79 | $2000 | $6500 | $9500 |
| Sovereign 4.2 | 1982-86 | $1600 | $5300 | $10,000 |
| Sovereign S3 V12 | 1982-86 | $2400 | $8000 | $14,500 |
| 2015 | ||||
| XJ6 Series 1 4.2 | 1969-73 | $2700 | $8000 | $14,000 |
| XJ6 Series 2 4.2 | 1974-78 | $1800 | $5500 | $11,500 |
| XJ6 Series 3 4.2 | 1979-86 | $1600 | $5500 | $9500 |
| XJ12 Series 1 | 1972-73 | $2700 | $9500 | $15,500 |
| XJ12 Series 2 | 1974-79 | $2000 | $6500 | $11,000 |
| Sovereign 4.2 | 1982-86 | $1600 | $5500 | $9500 |
| Sovereign S3 V12 | 1982-86 | $2400 | $8000 | $14,500 |
| 2021 | ||||
| XJ6 Series 1 4.2 | 1969-73 | $4500 | $15,000 | $27,000 |
| XJ6 Series 2-3 4.2 | 1974-86 | $3800 | $9000 | $17,500 |
| XJ6 S3 Sovereign 4.2 | 1979-86 | $5500 | $11,500 | $21,500 |
| XJ12 Series 1-3 | 1972-89 | $5500 | $15,500 | $26,500 |
| 2023 | ||||
| XJ6 Series 1 4.2 | 1969-73 | $7500 | $17,000 | $27,500 |
| XJ6 Series 2-3 4.2 | 1974-86 | $4000 | $11,000 | $20,000 |
| XJ6 S3 Sovereign 4.2 | 1979-86 | $7000 | $15,000 | $24,500 |
| XJ12 Series 1-3 | 1972-82 | $6000 | $13,000 | $22,500 |
| XJ12 S3 Sovereign | 1982-86 | $8000 | $17,500 | $28,000 |
From Unique Cars #482, August 2023
Unique Cars magazine Value Guides
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