Hi, can anyone give me a definitive period for the black rear panel on the XJ-S Pre HE bootlid? I am restoring car number 3204 and it doesn't have a black boot although the rear lights have black paint where I would expect an early car to have it on the edge next to the boot lid.

Many thanks.

 

Can you clarify what part you mean? I can't think of anything painted black back there. Obviously they had the black bumpers instead of the chrome, but I'm not sure what you are talking about.

 

If the rear lights have black paint infilling the chrome piece, your car almost certainly should have the black boot tail. If there's not evidence of black paint, is there any evidence the lid was swapped?

 

The section where the number plate and badges (XJS and V12) was at first matte black...

I THINK that was dropped around 1977/1978 with a first 'update'.

 

Shaunio666,

The change to a body-coloured infill panel on the bootlid started with build from Feb 1978. UK car 3204 would have been built around April 1977 and therefore would have had the black panel originally.

Hope that helps

Paul

 

Is there a complete list of all XJ-S updates by year anywhere?
I have an early 1976 XJ-S and want to preserve or restore all the early features
like the unleaded fuel plaque and the engine hood (bonnet) without growler.

So far my best source is to look through hundreds of pictures in XJ-S classified ads
to determine which features were dropped and which ones stayed.

 

I hope you revert to the original style black infill. It's just so damn 70's and awesome looking to skip.

 

Andreas,

There are various books and documents which lists of the major spec changes that occurred. AFAIK There were two sets of changes that occurred in 1976 (February and October). When you say you have a 1976 car, do you mean built in 1976 or US Model year 1976?

The best way is to view and photograph an original car or a properly restored car. Jaguar still have an original 1975 car as part of their collection which one can view. And the 1975 UK Brochure Car has just been restored. That original 1975 brochure has some very good pics of the car, the interior and the engine bay which are very useful for restorers.

Cheers

Paul

 

According to the sticker mine was built in 6/1976 and is a U.S. model. (An affordable 1975 was impossible to find.) What changed in February 1976?

 

Andreas,

I believe that the changes included a move away from the Oil Filter Canister, loss of the Chrome trim on the door aperture, a change to the letters on the boot and some minor mechanical items.

In order not to disrupt Seanio666 original thread and keep an appropriate title, perhaps it would be easier for you to start a new thread on the car spec?

Cheers

Paul

 

The best source of information on all the small production changes are detailed in Paul Skilliters book on the XJS. There is a specific appendix showing all this detail.