Introduction to the Jaguar XJ12

A Jaguar XJ12 Parts page by David Manners Ltd, the worlds leading independent Jaguar Parts specialist.

The Jaguar XJ12 is a luxury saloon produced by Jaguar from 1972 and has served as the Jaguar flagship model for most of its production span. The XJ12 "Series II" was launched in 1973. Visually, apart from the longer wheelbase the XJ12 Series II cars are differentiated by a smaller grille. The XJ12 coupé was launched in 1975 and was based on the short wheelbase version of the XJ. All coupes came with a vinyl roof as standard. In late 1979 the XJ12 was face lifted again and was known as the "Series III". The long-wheelbase version of the car incorporated a subtle redesign by Pininfarina. It was the last Jaguar saloon to have had the input of Sir William Lyons, the company's founder. In 1981 the XJ12 received the new Michael May designed 'fireball' high compression cylinder head engines and were badged from this time onwards to 1983 as HE (High efficiency) models. Also in 1981 a top spec Vanden Plas model was introduced for the US market, a model designation still used today for the top-level XJ saloon in the US.