I have googled and come up with nothing, so here is the question. Does anyone know about the SA built Jaguar XJ models. What years were they assembled there, what models, and just how much content was local? Was there any differences to UK build? Were the cars assembled from a welded up shell or was the entire car CKD then welded, assembled and painted in SA?

 

I can't add a lot other than I have '73 Series 1 built in South Africa. I bought it from a South African Doctor who imported it when migrated over many moons ago. He was the original owner (91yo at the time of sale).

My car is trimmed in a high quality Vinyl that I initially thought was a cheap retrim, but then found out that this was an option in SA. The car is badged with a 'British Leyland Sud Afrika' badge. It has HS8 SUs. My car also has Westinghoue Air Conditioning, but I think that was a dealer fit?

 

you will find more info about previous Jaguar models shipped to SA than about the XJ.

the S type and 420 models were shipped in crated kits and assembled there.

 

I've seen a suggestion that Series 1 and 2 XJ6s were "built" at Leyland's Blackheath plant in Cape Town from 1969, possibly up to 1981 - one online post suggests that Series 2 cars were still being assembled locally in 1981. My guess is that "built" always meant "assembled from CKD kits", with very minor modifications for the South African market. My 1982 Series 3 has a plate saying "Imported by Leyland South Africa (Pty) Ltd" and I think that means what it says - imported in built-up form, i.e. local assembly had stopped by then, and the Blackheath plant I think was closed in the early 80s in any case. There were quite a few XJ6s on the road here when I was a teenager (late 70s) and many other BL products.

 

Thanks for the replies so far. My question was prompted by an ad I saw on UK ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XJ...QAAOSw7kxdLe3k Seems like these SA cars are now making their way around the world - UK and Australia!