It is my sincere hope that my Shooting Brake project does not induce the feelings that I had looking at this car...


1980 Jaguar XJS Convertible for sale #1736878 | Hemmings Motor News

 

Andy,

This is one of the well-known Paul Banham XJSS models. Paul has made a number of GRP cars over the last 30+ years and has produced a great replica of the XK180, which is now marketed as a model for others to buy. See here:

XK180.com - About Us

He also runs the well-know Myrtle Productions which makes replacement wood veneer kits for many cars, including XJS.

I guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Good luck with the rest of the project. I'm really enjoying seeing the progress in pics.

Paul

 

To my eye, a lot of the shape is ok but there are two big problems;

1. The front opening looks like a happy smile. It looks silly. The shape should be more rounded like typical Jaguar styling.





2. The ride height is far to high. It needs to be lowered and a bit of rake from front to rear.





These two changes would make a dramatic change to its appearance. Once corrected I could live with it.

Mark

 

It may be toothless, but at least it's smiling!

 

Yeah, to my eye, that's pretty hideous.
If I were unfortunate enough to own it, I think I would be forced to join in with everyone else in making fun of the car, and of myself for owning it. I'd paint the front bumper supports white, so they would look like fangs hanging down inside that gaping maw...maybe even extend the ends so they come down to more of a point, paint the tips blood red, and name it "Jagula".

 

JagZilla, that made me LOL. Fugly car.

 

Hey, Hey, easy now. My car is named Jagula

 

No problem, Bc.
I was making fun of the Ja...umm...vehicle in the photos, not the name of your XJS

 

It looks pretty good in the flesh and they still get a lot of very positive interest at shows etc.

The ride height is as per all XJS, because it is an XJS just with some grp panels. Although that particular example does look "over-wheeled" and "under-tyred" with those aftermarkets on it.

Each to their own..

Paul

 

yes lowered more in the front(like raked),and/or larger wheel/tire combo, would make it more acceptable!
but the socalled purists still would not like it, but at a car show many of the younger crowd would take interest, (i know been there done that)!
but also i have been to shows, where the young,future potentials, have walked on past the line of ordinary XJS, and stopped to talk and look at my custom XJS,and would hang around untill i finally started it up,5" diameter single exhaust,12 cylinders.
sometimes its all about the showoff stuff!

 

Paul,

You're absolutely right. Neither I, nor, anyone else is in any position to proclaim judgement on someone's creative vision and the manifestation of their self expression. I'll be the first to say that my rather questionable taste should be taken with a grain of salt. For example, I've always kinda liked what is officially America's ugliest production car, the AMC Pacer. I've always thought I could do something with it that was creatively "out of the box", and maybe make a few jaws drop in the process.


I know that when I finish my car, there will be a few who like it, and others who will say that I ruined a perfectly good XJS. But, such opinions really don't matter to those who are brave enough, and driven enough to step out there, and turn imagination into reality.

 

the prices on the AMC Pacer ,has skyrocketed, especially a clean one!

more than XJS, as said beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

 

I like some of the mods one that XJS. I just can't get pasted the STUPID SMILING grill.

I can see that with the Pacer. I love the AMC Gremlin and would love one tubed to the limit.

 

Funny you should mention the grill. I was looking at the oblique view of the car (the first photo in this post), and I thought that the nose kinda resembles a Bull Shark. That's a compliment, because it implies speed, power, and aggression. The only deterrent being that the grill does look like a smile. I think that simply turning grill upside down, would complete that aggressive look. See Photoshopped image below.

 

The car looks like a stretch Miata, and for some reason the steering wheel has the finger "grips" on the wrong side.

 

I just noticed it has an XJ Series III, gauge pack on it.

 

Regardless of whether or not the styling appeals to ones personal tastes, it is obvious that a great deal of planning, craftsmanship and attention to detail went into this car. My hat is off to whoever built it. I can only hope that my own efforts will exhibit half the level of quality workmanship that I see in this car.

 

I thought that the Edsel was the most ugly production car? Ever!

 

Well, I just don't know. I could live very nicely with it in my garage. My 83 would be grossly mispleased, though!!!


It brings two memories from the past. Each striking in it's own, but vastly different way. 1. The early post WWII "bullet nose" Studebaker. 2. The famed C4 Cunningham Lemans racer.


And I guess it is the exaggerated "over bite" that is aestheticaly disturbing. And, the odd head light placing. One larger 7" per side would look better, I think.


but, kudos to the guys/gals that designed and built it.


Gremlins and Pacers were desperate measures on a short budget by AMC to make a difference.


Carl

 

I like Edsels. I always thought that some aspects of them were ahead of their time...like changing gears via pushbuttons on the steering wheel. Edsel did it 45-50 years before paddle shifters made their debut.
I'd love to find a 57 or 58 station wagon (estate), and drop in a new Ford Coyote motor, and 2015 Mustang running gear I'd probably never buy a new car again if I had a setup like that.

Here's a couple photos I shot of Edsels back in '94.