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My XJ6C is S/N UH2J52900BW, which by S/N makes it a late 76. The CA Title said it's a 77, so I listed it as a 77 on my Wisconsin Title. American models begin production late in the year. When did the new model year begin for Jaguar back then ?
late 1976 is probably the BUILD date, not the MODEL/YEAR.
My 1984 XJ-6 was BUILT in June 1983 to be sold as a 1984 MODEL. Back then Jaguar built cars a year ahead of their model / year.
not Jaguar alone, even currently cars are build year ahead, mostly assembly starts in June for the next year's auto sales market. Example, 2023 cars have already started production and assembly will start from June and sales for 2023 will begin from last quarter in 2022 for 2023 year models
not Jaguar alone, even currently cars are build year ahead, mostly assembly starts in June for the next year's auto sales market. Example, 2023 cars have already started production and assembly will start from June and sales for 2023 will begin from last quarter in 2022 for 2023 year models
ok, so I was correct, 1976 is probably the BUILD DATE.
Some decades ago, I bought a 1965 Mustang fast back. But, it had 1966 emision equipment. PIA at the time. I got a good deal as it did not run very well. Ba;ve train issue. Fixed it and went further with a rebuild. Took it back to 65 specs.
My first car out of the service was a 66 Mustang Fastback, 289, Dark Ivy Green, Parchment Pony Interior. I don't think there was such a thing as "Emissions" in 66. There certainly wasn't a thing on mine sold in Pennsylvania.
SO ! Back to my original question ! What determines "Model" year !
Heh heh, whatever the manufacturer decides in order to comply with applicable law....or even just product marketing.
For USA market cars (and surely some others) a model year must be assigned. So, somebody at Jaguar decided that XXX-cars made in 1976 and destined for the USA market will be designated as "1977 Model Year". Cars built the same day but destined elsewhere might be designated "1976 Model year" or perhaps not given an official "model year" designation at all......leaving it up to the destination country to call it whatever they want.
This can create some confusion. Example: My XJS was built in Feb 1987 but was designated by Jaguar as "1988 Model year" and carried a 1988 identifier in the VIN. Most Jaguar tech literature considered it to be "1987" or "1987.5" model year. USA-specific Jaguar literature recognizes it as a "1988".
My first car out of the service was a 66 Mustang Fastback, 289, Dark Ivy Green, Parchment Pony Interior. I don't think there was such a thing as "Emissions" in 66. There certainly wasn't a thing on mine sold in Pennsylvania.
1966 is when Ford introduced the "Thermactor" air injection system for cars going to xxx-states, including California. Closed crankcase ventilation began phasing-in a year or two prior.
CA cars were different early on/ Included Jaguar, I think. Federaal and non FEd meant different emsission equipment or none at all. jaguar seak was federal as to eexport cars. Mostly USA!!
It was the parasitic air oump that got dumped in my pony car It was white with a black interior. . I was saving up for a paint job in a "better" color. but, two guys got into a biding war over it. it got to much to pass up., SOLD!!!
Build year and model yer are different a lot f times.
As I understand it, the term model year originally related to annual revisions by manufacturers. Especially in the US and Canada, it became part of the regulatory requirements for emissions and safety. If a car was manufactured to satisfy 1978 regulations, it would be 1978 model year though it could well have come off the production line a year earlier (or any time that 1978 regulations were known to the manufacturer). It could be sold and registered as a 'new car' up to the last date that 1978 regulations remained applicable.
As I understand it, the term model year originally related to annual revisions by manufacturers.
For a long time, at least thru the 70s, it was a big deal when the 'new' models hit showroom floors, usually around September.
Especially in the US and Canada, it became part of the regulatory requirements for emissions and safety. If a car was manufactured to satisfy 1978 regulations, it would be 1978 model year though it could well have come off the production line a year earlier (or any time that 1978 regulations were known to the manufacturer).
And meeting requirements for xxx-model year sometimes meant some odd manipulations of production schedules and MY designations
It could be sold and registered as a 'new car' up to the last date that 1978 regulations remained applicable.
Well, in the USA, it can be sold as "new" so long as it had never been sold or titled to anyone. I remember from my dealership days we'd occasionally get some weird build configurations that languished on the sales lot long after the annual model year change. They were sold...eventually... as new cars even though they had been in inventory 15-18-20 months.
Doug, I guess you couldn't sell or register a car as new when it no longer satisfied current regulations for emissions/safety? Otherwise, somebody might get smart and start making 1963 model year cars now. Come to think of it, it might be good. I suppose that in a sense that's what 'continuation' cars are, except most of them can't strictly be registered for road use.
Doug, I guess you couldn't sell or register a car as new when it no longer satisfied current regulations for emissions/safety?
You're confusing different issues, I think. Or I'm misunderstanding you.
Manufacturer (Jaguar, let's say!) builds a car meeting all 1978 requirements. Car is sent to a dealership to be sold. Car remains unsold for two years. When it finally does sell, it still meets 1978 requirements and, because it has never been sold before, is still considered a new car for legal and title purposes
If you look at the production placards found on every car (US models, at least) it have wording such as "Meets all federal requirements at time of manufacture". When the requirements change there's nothing prohibiting that car from being sold as a "new" car.
You're confusing different issues, I think. Or I'm misunderstanding you.
Manufacturer (Jaguar, let's say!) builds a car meeting all 1978 requirements. Car is sent to a dealership to be sold. Car remains unsold for two years. When it finally does sell, it still meets 1978 requirements and, because it has never been sold before, is still considered a new car for legal and title purposes
If you look at the production placards found on every car (US models, at least) it have wording such as "Meets all federal requirements at time of manufacture". When the requirements change there's nothing prohibiting that car from being sold as a "new" car.
Cheers
DD
No, you understood me exactly. It just seemed that it left the manufacturer with the possibility of some get outs, like a choice of model year regs to satisfy. "Meeting all federal requirements at time of manufacture" certainly blocks that. On the other hand, it also makes all the model year stuff a bit redundant. I guess it's all buried in and dealt with in the various government regulations.
OK ! All very interesting but this is a JAGUAR Forum. At this age I am very aware of the practices of all manufacturers regarding Production Year vs Model Year,. This is really all the evidence I need for my car & the only area of rust.
Last edited by Excalibur2012; Apr 8, 2022 at 08:47 AM.
What year is my Jag ?
