Finally got around to joining to forum about 10 months after keeping my childhood promise in May of 2017 and I hope I’m not being an @$$ by starting a thread primarily to crow. As a “cold war kid” growing up in the Southern California of Reagan’s America I used to see these on the road and every time I did, I swore I was going to own one no matter what it took. 30 years later, I kept my promise when I found this nearly perfect low mileage one family owned original Vanden Plas in the Denver area.

1987 model year – last year the XK engined Series 3 was sold in USA.
Manufacture date 10/86. Paint CEK (“Bordeaux Red”) trim AEK (“Magnolia”).
Sold new @ Auto Trends in North Hollywood, CA on 12/19/1986.
Given to the owner’s daughter as a wedding present years later, the car came to Colorado some time in the mid 1990’s where it was kept by the original family until I bought it, making me the second owner.
46,360 miles on the clock!
It has been garage kept since the day it was new and never driven in bad weather. With the exception of a few expected parking lot marks, an area of worn leather on the left side of the driver’s seat bolster and a few requisite cracks in the dashboard varnish, it is in perfect original condition. No corrosion, never wrecked, never repaired. I put about $1500 into it immediately to fix a few things that had been neglected and it now needs virtually nothing. My only concern is the air conditioning, which does not blow cold, but has never been converted from freon and since I’m not sure I want to disturb the near total originality I’m still undecided how to proceed with fixing that.

Other than the tires, spark plus, air filter and battery the car is as it left the dealership, right down to the deep pyle "lambskin" floormats. In my opinion this is “the last real Jaguar”- no offense intended to later model owners – and remains one of the most beautiful 4-door cars ever made.

One of the coolest days of my life was being able to call my dad and tell him I finally got my Jag. Hitting the Colorado "English Motoring Conclave" for the 1st time as a participant rather than just a spectator was pretty cool too!

I wonder how many other "Gen X-ers" on this board lusted after an XJ6 or XJS as a kid when they were new and finally got one when they finally had the means?

 

I love the "GB" sticker!

 

No offense or even close. A very nice tale. A big part of this forum. Far more than tech. I worked in SOCAL at about that time. My office was mid Wilshire. One of the VP's splurged for a Jaguar. It was stolen from the basement garage!!! As he was a bit of a "stuffed shirt", he got no sympathy. To this day, I think he left the keys in it, although he vehemently denied it.


They are extremely "interesting" cars !!! I have to visit the DMV today. A step towards passing the @@##$##32 SMOG thing.


Carl


Carl

 

Nice choice!!

I love the red and Magnolia.

That body shape is timeless art.

Good luck,

Rob

 

Congrats a beautiful looking XJ

 

Congratulations!
Nice Car!
And welcome to our little corner of the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Pretty car. I too am a GEN-X that finally has one.

Rusty

 

Itsa beauty !


Cheers
DD

 

Very nice.......especially colour combo.

 

Very nice! Welcome!

 

I think you will find a lot of us here are gen-X.
In the early 80's (15-18 y/o apprentice years) all I wanted was an XJS because I got to drive my bosses one(lots). But well before that and after I was 20 having a series 1 was always the dream.....

Apparently I'm now living the dream, minus the mansion and millions to go with it.

 

Nice Ride! Welcome.

 

Me to! I just didn't think Id get this dirty dreaming!

Rusty

 

nice, you cant rush these things :-)

 

Great story, and we don't blame you one BIT for crowing. While I drive an X350 (2nd one) and have had an X308, my brother has an 86 Series III, with a bit more mileage than your example -64k miles, and its lovely as well.. While it and your beautiful car doesn't have the modern bones, power and packaging of the aluminum X350, it doesn't NEED any of that and is pure XJ, with the Pininfarina design, Fuel Injected 4.2 L XK16 Engine, has all the "modernization" required. While a Series I XJ is esthetically fantastic, it takes a great deal of care and money to get and keep, while a Series III is the sweet spot in terms of "Classic" XJ ownership. I came VERY close to grabbing an 85 Series III in Black with Bisquit interior in the early 90s, then I chickened out; like so many people do, letting fear of Lucas -a psychological condition that is treatable with exposure to reality, and letting mostly undeserved urban legends about Jaguar. Fast forward to 2005 when common sense prevailed. The 3 XJ models I have been able to enjoy are the most reliable cars I have with ever owned. Actually "owned" is not accurate. We actually enjoy stewardship of these fine, special cars. Not the same as ownership but a great pleasure and honor of the XJ Experience.

50 years of XJ's and Jaguar has "All Electric" XJ on the horizon. Instead of Elon Musk paying tribute to Jaguar with the lines of the Tesla Model S, it looks like Jaguar following Musks formula, with more luxury and pedigree, but possibly less efficiency by the nature of the process; re-engineering vs design from inception to be electric. If its quiet, fast and has insane acceleration - then it's a matter of range and acceptance of the concept. NONE of which will replace or diminish, the original, the real thing. The Jaguar XJ.

All the best!