Series 1 (1968–1973)

XJ Series I
Jaguar XJ Series I Jaguar badged
Also called XJ6, XJ12
Daimler Sovereign
Production 1968–1973
82,126 produced
Assembly

Coventry England

Cape Town, South Africa

Nelson, New Zealand

 

Engine 2.8 L XK
4.2 L XK
5.3 L V12
Wheelbase 108.75 in (2762 mm)
Length 189.5 in (4813 mm)
Width 69.75 in (1772 mm)
Height 52.75 in (1340 mm)
Fuel capacity

91 L (24.0 US gal; 20.0 imp gal)

 

The XJ6, using 2.8 L (2790 cc/170 in³) and 4.2 L (4235 cc/258 in³) straight six versions of Jaguar's renowned XK engine, replaced most of Jaguar's saloons – which, in the 1960s, had expanded to four separate ranges. Apart from the engines, the other main component carried over from previous models was the widest version of Jaguars IRS unit from the Mark X.

An upmarket version was marketed under the Daimler brand and called the Daimler Sovereign, continuing the name from theDaimler version of the Jaguar 420.

The "XJ" designation was from the car's code name during development, standing for Experimental Jaguar.

The car was introduced in September 1968. Power assisted steering and leather upholstery were standard on the 2.8 L 'De Luxe' and 4.2 L models and air conditioning was offered as an optional extra on the 4.2 L. Daimler versions were launched in October 1969, in a series of television advertisements featuring Sir William. In these spots, he referred to the car as "the finest Jaguar ever". An unusual feature, inherited from the Jaguar Mark X, was the provision of twin fuel tanks, positioned on each side of the boot / trunk, and filled using two separately lockable filler caps: one on the top of each wing above the rear wheel arches.

In March 1970 it was announced that the Borg-Warner Model 8 automatic transmission which the XJ6 had featured since 1968 would be replaced on the 4.2 litre engined XJ6 with a Borg-Warner Model 12 unit. The new transmission now had three different forward positions accessed via the selector lever, which effectively enabled performance oriented drivers to hold lower ratios at higher revs in order to achieve better acceleration. "Greatly improved shift quality" was also claimed for the new system.

In 1972 the egghead option of a long wheel base version, providing a modest increase in leg room for passengers in the back, became available.

The XJ12 version, featuring simplified grille treatment, and powered by a 5.3 L V12 engine (coupled to a Borg Warner Model 12), was announced in July 1972: the car was presented at that time as the world's only 12-cylinder four door car. 3,235 of these first generation XJ12s were built. Again, an upmarket version, this time called the Daimler Double-Six, was available, reviving the Daimler model name of 1926-1938.

 

 

Total production figures for the Series 1
ModelProduction
Jaguar XJ6 2.8 swb 19,322
Jaguar XJ6 4.2 swb 59,077
Jaguar XJ6 4.2 lwb 874
Jaguar XJ12 swb 2,474
Jaguar XJ12 lwb 754
Daimler Sovereign 2.8 3,233
Daimler Sovereign 4.2 swb 11,522
Daimler Sovereign 4.2 lwb 386
Daimler Double Six swb 534
Daimler Double Six Vanden Plas 351
Total Production for Series 1 98,527