Picture the Scene.

You have just Won the Lottery and are literally 'rolling in it!' with a couple of Million, stashed away in the Bank.

Except there is one thing money can't buy (or maybe it can?) and that would be a 'Brand New XJS!'

So lets say you decide on a Budget of $100,000 or UK equivalent.

How would you build 'The Ultimate XJS'

You don't have to do All/Any work yourself (unless of course you want to) and can employ the Services of anyone you want.

And Customise it anyway you choose, as long as the final cost does not exceed $100,000 (feel free to break that rule if you want to)

This would be about the equivalent of a Top of the range 'e' type, which no doubt you have already bought, as a daily driver, with some of the rest of your Cash.

Nothing to say you cannot own a Stable full of Classics but its the XJS we are talking of here.

Also nothing to stop you from using the ideas of others for Inspiration.

As my Mechanical knowledge, is fairly limited, compared to that of some of you Guys out there, I will have to go the way I feel.

In any event I don't really want to go over the top and then end up with a Trailer Queen, that might attract the Haters.

So my first port of call would be 'Ronbros' to ask him to build me an Engine just like his V12 (without the fuel cell) an absolutely breathtaking piece of Kit if ever there was!

If I've got any change left? then I would look for the Best Convertible XJS on the Market, to use as a donar.

For me at least I'm not a very big fan of the face lift Cars, so would go for the earlier version, with the 'Gothic Rear Lights'

And then replace the Interior with the 'Celebration Spec' and then top it off with a standard set of Chromium Lattice Alloy Wheels with a set of the best Tires/Tyres that money could buy.

Then I would experiment with the Single Bar Grill of a very similar design to the 'e' type.

And finally put a 'Leaper' on the bonnet/hood.

'I'm Joking!!!' I hate that 'Leaper!'

As for a choice of Colour, I would probably go for 'Yellow' with Cream hide.

That's my Ultimate XJS what's yours?

 

Take out the back seat and add a supercharger and 5 speed manual gear box.

 

7.0 litre V12 Lister XJS




comes close to the perfect XJS


There you go!

 

Me too! But with $100000 we could build a better one than this

 

To me that is spot on, and I sure a H**L would not ad to much of the modern equiptment, that would take the fun out driving one

 

KWE already do this ,


they take an original XJS , strip it and throw away most parts, then rebuild using new and bespoke parts enhancing the Jag

and it will cost around £100K ( that's UK pounds )

google it


I must say I like a blend of the different aftermarket styles ( Hyper, TWR and Lister )

BB

 

Michelangelo's David cannot be "improved" upon. Neither can the pre-facelift HE V12 XJS coupé. It represents perfection of the XJS. Thus, OB, BB we already have the ultimate XJS:

I rest my case with Exhibit A:



Greg

 

How to improve a marvelous car?

Well, bodywise it would stay the same, though I'd see about either having fully retractable rear windows or at least some which pop out. The front quarterlights would be moveable.

Otherwise outside would stay. Where more would happen would be along the chassis and drivetrain. The rear suspension would be replaced with a modern multilink with 2 speed differential. The tranny updated from 3 to 6 speed automatic. The engine would get quad cams, 12 or 6 throttlebodies. Direct injection would be good. A modernised cooling system to keep that baby cool. The distributor would be ditched for modern COP ignition (like AJ16 engines). And I'd fit some cats. With some tweaks the V12 should then make a steady 600 HP. Oh, and cylinder turn off would be fitted for that bit of economical city driving and long distance cruises

And finally: II'd start producing New LHD and RHD headlights as well as new front foglights

 

with respect ( and I know what you mean )

the XJS was designed and built with the technology of the day , this technology can show ' flaws ' given time, so enhancing the XJS wouldn't necessarily mean changing it appearance, but making its electrical and mechanical components more durable and reliable

this is no good if you want a period correct concourse car , but is essential for a reliable daily runner that stays in good condition that doesn't make your heart skip a beat every time you go further than 100miles from home.......

just my point of view


BB

btw, if it cant be improved upon , why fit later style wheels, lol

 

Is that yours? It sounds as though you could be there already!

 

Come on then, whet our appetites with a few more details.

 

It certainly doesn't look far out but too much of a muscle Car in the looks department for my taste.

 

Yup! KWE can build you the XJS of your dreams.

 

Greg, I have to admit you are probably right (ok you are right!) but I wouldn't say no, to the Celebration Interior, or a Set of Lattice Alloys as the icing on an already delicious Cake.

 

Daim, I'm liking those ideas a lot but as for Economical City Driving, you've still got a couple of million quid, to buy all the Petrol you are ever going to need.

A galvanised body would be nice like on the face lift Cars.

 

Sadly, OB, it is a myth that the facelifts do not rust!

However, for my £100,000 I would not object to a full stripdown of the shell and some hot-dip galvanisation of the core!

And, BB, I do take your and Daim's points about modern systems, but I do not have my heart in my mouth reliability-wise; but of course my Lucas CE ignition is as bombproof as any modern one! And if you read the JEC mag, all the forum letters about the modern ones concern electrical malfunctions.

Great thread OB.

Greg

 

96 6.0 V12 Celebration Coupe. Metallic Grey. 4 turbos. Hood louvers. Job done.....

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. for the XJS...... but as per the scenario I am rolling in it, I would also find a non rotten Series II XJC Coupe. Then find a wrecked 95-97 XJR, then transplant everything from the R into the C. Paint in Grey, Interior in Red, Vinyl Roof in Black. Another job done.

 

In case I forget to mention it, I do have a bit of a 'Galvanising Fetish!' it isn't that expensive so I had all the Garden Furniture done and even had them hot dip galvanise my boat.

Once I'd got the 'Gas Axe' out and cut it in half, as it wouldn't fit in their Tank.

So a fully Galvanised XJS would be a dream come true!

 

I would just buy this one and find a house with many empty acres and build sheds and put in hoists so I could spend the rest on many many cars to work on.

1987 Jaguar XJS Coupe | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Maroochydore Area - Flaxton | 1065064958

Actually, we(I) are eyeing this one off. Still at subtle hint stage with her indoors though.

 

Sure, a couple of million quid by side BUT why use all the fuel on the world? If you can gain more from less, then I'd say it is a bit better. Which is also why I'd fit cats

A 6 cylinder for daily driving or when needed a 12 cylinder is perfect Still runs as smooth as a turbine