One of the few features of modern vehicles that I truly appreciate is the backup camera. I find my XJ6 difficult to reverse easily in my narrow driveway. Between the long wheelbase (as opposed to shorter cars) and somewhat vague steering, I don't feel confident going in reverse. Does anyone here have a backup camera on any of their classics? Any recommended brands, etc?

 

I installed a back up camera on my 1992 Sovereign. Not the worst job in the world but it is time consuming since you need to take out the back seat, running the wire above the gas tank and into the trunk lid. Youll also need a monitor in the vehicle to receive the image.

I used a chrome camera i found on amazon
I installed a flip out pioneer in the single din space so that i can have the display and carplay, also ordered on amazon-https://shorturl.at/uPqRM

You can see the radio and camera (previously installed camera that i didnt like so i bought the camera linked above) in action here:
I didnt need to drill any holes into the car, just make one of the holes bigger to accommodate the camera mounting screw. I removed one of the 4 screws holding the metal trim under the trunk lid where the latch is to open it and placed it there so as to not affect the ability to revert everything back to how it was originally if i ever wanted to. I included an image below.

It makes a world of a difference when parking in NYC and I am so happy I did it! Good luck!

 

Thank you, ETA, not only for the detailed description, but the photos! Your Sovereign is a masterpiece, now with a minor but practical update! Honestly, as much as I have always loved big sedans, when it comes to actual driving, my preference has always been small and nimble, partly because I hate reversing and parallel parking. I actually punctured a brand new tire reversing out of the garage when it his the edge of a wooden boundary surrounding a side garden. That didn't help my confidence in reversing the car. Thank goodness it wasn't any body damage, and the tire was covered under a replacement plan. If the work is that involved, I may talk with my garage about installation. Again, thanks for taking the time to provide such excellent information.

 

Thanks for the compliment although I cant take all the credit as she came to me in very good condition from the original owner.

Glad to hear no damage aside from the tire happened! But yes, the backup camera certainly makes it easier to avoid those types of situations! Good luck on the installation!

 

Heres a better picture on where I placed it using an existing screw hole.

 

Sorry for the late reply....it may have come to you in excellent condition, but you continue as a caretaker! I almost never see the XJ40 anywhere except in my garage. And so it is YOU who have that registration here In New York State!!! Hah, glad it went to an XJ40 than a Series I, II, or III, or an X300!! But that's always been my bias. I only learned recently that we can have the old Lady Liberty plates on cars of the same vintage. I still have Lady Liberty plates from a previous non-Jaguar I owned, but decided against registering my Jaguar with those. I once told a young lady complementing my Jaguar, "It's the car I wanted since high school." to which she said, "You've owned it since high school?" It'd be fun to have correct vintage plates on it just to have people guessing how long I owned it.

I'll probably talk to my shop about the backup camera as I don't have that capability, and already too many irons in the fire. They've been VERY good to me, and I want to give them the business (literally, but in a positive way!) Again, thanks so much, ETA, for the detailed explanation. Its helpful to me, and to posterity for all those poor people who will try to be caretakers in the future, and have less support and parts to do so.