I am very curious as to what makes a Vanden Plas a Vanden Plas.
I have one and am wondering what makes my Vanden Plas so much more than a base XJ6.

 

In a nutshell, different wheels and an up-market interior.

I *think* the VDP might have come with a few items that are optional on the base XJ6 such as the premium sound system and heated seats.

Cheers
DD

 

It originally went way back to a company called Vanden Plas that took mainly Daimlers and built "specials", mainly 4 seater sedans. That ceased in about 1978 when the company ceased.

Jaguar continued the badging of cars, again mainly Damlers, with trim variances and special stuff.

To the rest of the world the Daimlers were "top of the line", and the Vanden Plas of old were one up again.

In the USA, you never got Daimlers, as in Jaguar Daimlers, which I believe was to do with the Daimler/Chrysler and Daimler/Benz things ???????. So as a compensation you got Sovereign cars badged as Vanden Plas with near ALL available accessories as standard, with different wood trim etc etc.

Now all this is from memory of what I read many years ago whilst dealer employed.

Someone may chime in with much more specific specs.

 

I'll try to find my sales brochures. That should help narrow down the specifics, if anyone is that interested.

Cheers
DD

 

The Vanden Plas also has a 5 inch longer wheelbase. Compare the length of the rear doors on your car to those on a standard model XJ6. The difference is readily apparent.

 

Yeah....but not on a 1995 car :-). They were all SWB...in the USA at least. Historically Jaguar loves playing a little game with short and long wheelbases.

Cheers
DD

 

As I recall, only the Vanden Plas has the snack tables imbedded in the backs of the front seats. A rather nice touch, I think.

 

You know Doug, you're right. The extended wheelbase was applied to the '96 and '97 model years. I'm getting old and CRS is a problem...

 

LOL, anyone can make such mistakes , don't be harsh on yourself

 

There isn't much of a difference between the VDP and a XJ6; VDP is simply the trim package. It looks as if yours is a '95 which is a short wheelbase VDP. The early production '95 VDP didn't come with a glovebox nor heated seats but it did come with other upgrades such as a premium sound system, memory seats, woodgrain steering, chrome rearview mirrors, upgraded wheels and picnic tables in the rear just to name a few upgraded luxury amenities.

 

The name 'Vanden Plas' is the alternative name for Daimler trimmed cars. Jaguar could not sell Daimler-badged Jaguars in the USA for a number of reasons, so used this name instead.

In the UK, 'Daimlers' had the crinkly cut rad grill and a few other 'Daimler' logoed items

Jaguar no longer use the Daimler name since the X350 cars came out.

 

Does the upgraded sound system have a more reliable radio,or is just better speaker set up?

 

Same unreliable radio plus an external amplifier and different speakers

Cheers
DD

 

I was chuckling reading this thread. I must have a "base" VDP. No premium sound. It did come with a CD changer though. I'll never understand.

 

How does this apply to a 1986 Vanden Plas?

 

does all vanden plas have heated seats ? mine is a 97 vdp , so where is the switch ? anyway, I would like to know. Thanks, Satterfield

 

Good, question. You would think the top of the line would have heated seats standard but it wasn't. It was typically part of a cold weather package and the switches would be with the hazard switch and along there.

So, yes there are VDP's without heated seats. A friend of mine has a 98 VDP from florida with no heated seats.

 

I've had 3 Jags, one is 05 XJ VDP and I think your commenters under-rated the features you get with a VDP:
1. Longer rear seat, by 5-6", is big deal. Much roomier, no hitting knees on front seat backs, even for tall passengers.
2. Premium Alpine sound system: Best I ever heard, clear, crisp, yet deep, smooth. You hear every instrument. This is the ONLY stereo where on The Best of Spruce Springsteen I can understand the words he's
singing. 6 CD changer in trunk.
3. Leather is flawless, higher quality and smells stronger, with brown piping trim.
4. Burled walnut pieces are matched perfectly in color, pattern. Best quality.
5. Heated seats front and back.
6. Electric rollup rear windowshade.
7. Beautiful burl finish fold-down rear seat tray tables.
8.

 

Jaguar has marketed a "VanDen Plas" model in the USA since 1982 or so. The unique features have varied over the years.

Cheers
DD

 

The heated seats seem to be somewhat hit or miss. I've never owned a VDP. While my '91 Sovereign did not have them, my '95 base model does. Go figure!