1978 Jaguar XJ-C Coupe Sleeper
This Jaguar XJ-C has had extensive modifications under the shell designed to leave modern cars wondering what the hell just happened.
The Jaguar XJ-C was never meant to be a performance car. However, it’s a rear-wheel drive, V12-powered coupe and in the right hands, it can become a potent sleeper. Harry Metcalfe of Harry’s Garage knows a thing or two about these cars, and he knows what the right hands can do with them. He took his XJ-C to XJ Restorations in the UK to have the work done and now he’s released this video to show us the end result.
The only outward appearance that Metcalfe’s XJ-C has been modified is a slight drop in the suspension. New shocks all-round have fixed the problem of the soft suspension bottoming out when the car is driven enthusiastically. It’s also helped the overall handling, an area ’70s Jags tend to be lacking in. The kit they have installed includes adjustable gas-charged dampers and stiffer steering rack bushings.
Unlocking power from the V12 didn’t take as much work as you may think. It has a new exhaust, but the real key change is a new differential that changes the gearing dramatically. With the shorter gearing matched with a rare manual gearbox, the new exhaust positively sings.
Metcalfe tells us the car still has its problems, most of which he expects on a classic luxury car he bought for just four grand. The chassis upgrades help and you can tell from his joy in driving it that the car now has a real spirit that invites him to get fully involved.
Ultimately though, the V12 now shines through and sounds fantastic. That on its own would have been a job well done.
