What XJ6 do I have?
 

Thanks to Doug Dwyer for this guide to help owners determine exactly which model of "XJ6" that they own.
Jaguar has sold the XJ6 in various forms over a period of decades, with the “XJ6” model name being applied to several significantly different cars. To clarify which basic design platform is being discussed the engineering designation, rather than model name, is often used.

This practice became commonplace in the 80s-90s because Jaguar, for a period of time, was simultaneously building two very different cars and marketing both as “XJ6”. This is further confused by country-to-country differences in model year designations. Of the two, the Series III XJ6 is the older model, the final iteration of the Series I-II-III lineup originally dating back to 1968. Production of the Series III XJ6 continued until April 1987.

(Many Jag enthusiasts don't acknowledge these 1987-built Series III XJ6s, erroneously believing production ended in 1986. Parts vendors often make the same mistake. One table in Jaguar's own JDHT archives also incorrectly states that Series III XJ6 production ended in October 1986.)

The 'new' XJ6 carried an internal engineering designation of “XJ40” ...which became a convenient (but still confusing) way to differentiate between an 'old' XJ6 and a 'new' XJ6.

The XJ40 version of the XJ6 went on sale for most markets in 1986 and is often considered a 1986 or 1987 model year car. It was introduced to the North American market in mid-1987. These North American deliveries will carry a 1988 VIN identifier.

XJ40 production ended in 1994 yet the XJ6 nameplate again continued on within the 'X300' platform. In the North American market these are 1995-96-97 model year cars. A few years later, in the 2000s, the XJ6 nameplate was revived for certain markets. These are 'X350' cars.

If a car falls into the 80s-90s confusion zone there are numerous ways to identify it but a quick method is to look at the last six digits of the VIN.

A Series III XJ6 (built 1979-1987) will have a VIN ranging from 300001 to 477823. (Note that the Series III body style continued on, with the V12 engine only, until 1992 and VIN 486xxx)

The 'XJ40' models had a VIN sequence starting with 500515

The 'X300' models had a VIN sequence starting with 720001

There are many visual differences in the Series III, XJ40, and X300 body types. The tail lights are a very quick identifier..


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...c8c7ddca09.jpg
Series III
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...64f394eca0.jpg
XJ40
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...8047d23d85.jpg
X300

Thank you. This explains everything. I once posted a picture of my '88 Vanden Plas to the XJ6 forum and was told by a member that it was not an XJ6, but an XJ40. When I explained to them that the service manual, VIN, and all else refers to it as an XJ6 they went on a tirade declaring that it was not an XJ6. I hope that member reads your post.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...a9feb92a10.jpg

Great looking XJ6 :)

Cheers
DD

Thank you.

Hi I have just bought a XJ6 3ltr SE 2003 part exchange for my XJ8 3.2 Executive 2001
 

Hi my xjv8 had problems!think I had water ingress in the fuel filler cap! Had blocked drain plugg outlet .

either that or timing tensioner so needed changing!

Welcome to the forums Paul,

Follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-x350-x358-28/ to X350 forum. Members there with the same model will be able to help.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some information about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

Beautiful X300! I will soon have a 1997 X330. It is a gorgeous car and the last of its kind with the "bulletproof" AJ16 engine. Your automobile is a nice example of Coventry's best. I have one that's newer, but with 181,000 miles. It still runs extremely well for its age and should last for a long time to come.

Whoops!
 

Hey this car is not an X300, its an XJ6! :icon_screwy:

Which brings me to ask, "WHICH" XJ6 do I have? Emphasis on the whoosh of the "WH" in WHICH. "What XJ6 do I have" sounds rather American.

I only seek to improve the proper English pronunciation, inflection and grammar as suited to these fine British Automobiles. :icon_angel:

What if I have an XJ12? Which??

The X300 IS the Xj6!
 

When I bought my X330 (XJ6L) there was a bit of confusion about that as well. I finally cleared away the cobwebs and figured it all out. Please do not insult the Americans (a few of us cannot help our lack of proper English). The educated among us have no excuse.

Blessings.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e5d3eb2bd5.jpg

If you look at the engine on the inline 6 the X40 has the Aj6 engine where on the forward right side there is a distributor cap with plug wires

An X300 willl have the aj16 engine where the distubutor cap is replaced with a round cam position sensor with a plastic window in it , no plug wires

A short wheel base will measure 36 inches on the lower glass portion of the rear side window , the chrome trim will measure longer , the long wheel base will measure 42 inches on the lower glass portion

Your door handles are square and the X300 are oval

There are some variances in the headlights and tail lights between X40 and X300 production crossover

I stand corrected.

This is a nice conversation! Some factual points of clarity:

Captain Obvious's door handles are oval shaped.

The X300 is the best XJ6 ever. :icon_wink:

I'm a bit miffed that the "new" XJ8 copied the XJ6 body, for six more years.

Seriously, thanks to Doug and Norri for providing clarity in the first post here. That's all we really need. It is interesting how many ways the XJ series has both carried forward, and also diverged in some big ways mark to mark.

I believe the XJ12 identifiers are similarly obtuse up to its finale with the X305.

Cheers!

From the 1960’s to the 2020’s Jaguar make 8 distinct version of the car know as XJ! Not all were XJ6, there was also XJ8 and XJ12.
Its no wonder there is confusion lol


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...09ea1af4f.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...188560bf2.jpeg

1991 XJ6 4.0 Sovereign
 

Looking at this car. Where does the Sovereign fit in the line up. Are there any thinks to look out for?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e299d0347.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...77e1a607f.jpeg

That is a lovely looking XJ40. They came in various models with the sovereign top of the Jaguar line up.
The X300, which forum section this is, is based on the XJ40.

If you want information about the car, then it’s best to post in the correct section.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj40-xj81-25/

Have fun!

Actually the Sovereign was not top of the XJ40 line. It ranked just above the base model XJ40 , then came the Daimler or Vanden Plas (U.S. version), then the XJR which was top of the line.

I would argue that the XJ40 Majestic was the top of the line :)

It all gets rather thick, what with different marketing and badging depending on country/market.

The VDP cars were badged "Jaguar" in North America but "Daimler" everywhere else. In Canada, some (Series III) models badged as VDP were trimmed to something more like Sovereign level....while later VDP models had the full DD6 treatment but were still badged as "Jaguar".

Volumes could be written on all this. I can't suss out all the minute details and don't have the strength :).

Cheers
DD

Oh can of warms and open to lots of debate lol
I said JAGUAR, the Daimlers are a different kettle of fish all together.
As for the XJR, in XJ40 form, it had no performance advantage, just hard suspension…. So for top of line, I like to think “Which would the Queen Mother choose?” And the answer would have been the Sovereign lol