Had a terrible experience recently... having to sell my silver 1977 Jaguar XJ6C !
Long story, short... 6 days later, I got a tip on 76 XJ6C that was a bit rusty underneath, with a 350 Chevy installed.
Incredible. When I went to make the deal on it, it was only the second one that I had ever seen... and it was 41 KM from me, in a shed !
A bit rough, but drives well.
Factory tinted glass, with the stock fabric "sun roof"... which I am learning is inconceivably rare.
Here's a couple photos:


What's confusing me, is the colour. The OLD repaint you see, is definitely maroon. However, the original colour seems to be more of a dark redish metallic "burnt orange". Not really maroon at all.
I intend to restore this car, and would really like to confirm what this original colour actually is.

 

Boy Howdy did you ever make a strike!
Of all the few coupes ever made, I'm thinking most of those still in existence are in this section or have been in the past couple years! This must be the only forum in the world where you guys can find kindred spirits.

About that background landscape, it's the very same as where I grew up just south of the border in Montana! Others who might see it won't wonder why I moved to California.
(';')

 

Have you checked the body & trim codes on the body VIN plate. Armed with codes, use charts in Stickys here to find original colour, but remember that codes are year specific.

Cheers,

Ken

 

Thanks, guys.
Yes, I certainly DID get lucky here !
What's particularly nice for me, is that everything that is different about this one, from the silver one I sold... makes me like it BETTER !
With this, I also got an 87 XJS parts car ( with complete driveline intact ).
I just removed the 2.88 "power lok" rear end / suspension assembly from it.


Now, I'm going to give one more attempt at seeing the paint code on the tag of this old "C".

 

I'd resist the urge to "update" your coupe with parts from the later donor car, as it will affect the originality, & therefore the value, of your uber rare car. Good scores deserve the best!

 

Gary, of course that's valid advice. I guess that has much to do with why I never did it to the silver one I had... despite having very little affection for the 6 cylinder.
In this particular case, the 6 cylinder was replaced at least 25 years ago, with a generic 1980's Chevy "pickup truck" 350, with a TH400 automatic. runs like new, but DULL !
I REALLY don't relish the idea of converting back to a 6 cylinder.
If this was a real XJ12C... you bet... I'd go through the trouble to get a pre HE v12 for it.
So, If I'm going to fix it, I'm going to keep it Jaguar... but make it as good as it can be. That being a warmed up 6 litre V12.


However, at the moment, I'm still puzzled by this colour. I have been all over the car, and cannot find the paint code anywhere.

 

Aubrey, I hesitate to offer where to find the body VIN plate with specific spaces for paint & trim codes. Variances between models and even markets, let alone the relative rarity of your XJ12C, make that hazardous from afar, save the generalization that they were often fixed to the front inner wings or firewall.

Should you luck out, try your Dupont (or similar) auto paint shop to get a '70s "British Reds" colour match book. Next, find a spot on the car's body interior that still has undisturbed original paint (try removing back seat and carpet) and match it visually, preferably under clear bright daylight.

Hope this helps. Best wishes,

Ken

 

Whatever color that is, it is gorgeous, it's genesis would bother me not one whit...


Carl

 

Going from the 1976 color charts and the fact that this color was in use from 1968 until 1979, I would say it is Jaguar "Regency Red", colour code 257 "TDD".

The same name was used in the nineties for color code 734 "CFA"

 

Well, I have been all over this car. Door jamb foes not have the info. No plate under the hood. Glove box has tire info only. Trunk MAY have had something legible at one time... but no longer.
There IS plenty of original paint visible, mostly in the trunk, which is particularly good on the sides. Nice and shiny. As mentioned, it's definitely not the maroon that it looks in the picture.. or even more orange that it looks in the second picture ( roof closed ). It's really QUITE orange, albeit dark, slight metallic... AKA "burnt orange".
Is Regency Red truly more of an orange colour ?


Here is a photo that I took of the door jamb:
Not a perfect exposure... but it gives the idea.

 

These are the original colors from those days, make your pick:

 

Thanks, for that chart !
I REALLY doubt that this car for some reason, was painted a special colour from the factory. I'm inclined to believe that Regency Red would be the original.
I'll have to start dismantling, to dig my way to some original paint.