I was thrilled by this on the Speed Channel recently.
Alain de Cadenet roars around in all the fabled Jaguar race cars,
stops along the road and pops the bonnet for a quick look,
and all the while telling the history of Jaguar. Unfortunately,
the XJ-S gets only a mention.
Don’t know when they will do a re-run, but if you have the opportunity
it’s well worth the hour. Or, you can order the DVD at
In reply to a message from Ed Sowell sent Thu 2 Dec 2004:
On this similar subject I caught a speed channel program a few
weeks ago of the re-run of the meeting of historic races at
Goodwood this year I think. It was on at 9.30 pm. One race included
D types, mark 7’s etc including one driven by no other than Rowen
Atkinson (Mr Bean to the Americans) What a spectacle and they were
really being driven.
Winner of that race incidentally was a little old Austin A35 of
which fame includes Graham Hills first model that he raced in, long
before being formula 1 WC in the 60’s.
Perhaps the most memorable thing at this meeting was a driver who
was 93 (not in that race) driving a car he has owned and raced for
60 years I believe.
Keith–
The original message included these comments:
But I will get the DVD… maybe drop some hints here and there
and hop it shows up in the Christmas stocking!
I have the DVD and it is terrific AND examines more cars!
In reply to a message from Ed Sowell sent Wed 1 Dec 2004:
I’ve seen that episode a few times. While I love the gorgeous Jags
they show and drive, I was rather put off by the comment the host
made about the XJ-S being a dissappointment, and non sporty.
In reply to a message from JagZilla sent Thu 2 Dec 2004:
As I’ve said before, the XJS critics keep trying to compare it to
the E-Type it replaced. Yes, compared to the classic lines of the
E-Type, I’m sure the XJS is considered a dissappointment. No one
is willing to judge it on it’s own merits except us owners.
To be fair, I feel the same way about the XK-8. I think it is a
let down from the XJS. I always thought it looked like a flattened
Dodge Avenger (please no offense if any of you are XK-8 owners,
just my opinion). I don’t find it horribly distinctive though.
Even on rollout, the folks in Coventry seemed a little ashamed of
the XJS. I read and saw a picture of the prototype with an XK-F
badge, but they renamed it because it was not worthy of having a
follow on label to the E-Type. I also wonder if that also has
something to do with it being the only passenger sports model (that
I know of) that is an ‘‘XJ’’ not an ‘‘XK.’’
I don’t care. I own one, I love it, and it sure turns enough heads
as is. If someone wants to belittle it, well, we’re all entitled
to our opinion.
Now I’m stuck with a mental image of Mr Bean (yes, I’m a Yank)
racing a Jag.–
Tom, 89 XJS Coupe
Reynoldsburg Ohio, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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In reply to a message from Mr442nt sent Thu 2 Dec 2004:
Being in the perhaps unique or semi unique or quatro unique
position of owning and driving a '54 XK-120M roadster (don’t like
OTS), two E-types a '62 Coupe and '67 Drophead, and my XJS, I will
say for the record I like the XJS better in some ways, and as much
in others, than the E-type. Yes it’s different, bigger, roomier
and more comfortable. At the same time it performs in a similar
manner with a/c too.
None of the Jags I’ve owned or driven were at their best on tight
twisty narrow roads. They are high speed freeway cars. The 54
comes on the (Isky) cam(s) at 80-85 MPH (2-3000 rpm), the E-types
come off the Newport freeway westbound onto the Riverside, (hint
for those of you in S. Calif/Orange Co.), at 120+ (in the early AM)
just like they’re on rails.
But on tight twisty roads, like those here in NY or in the canyons
in Calif. you never get out of second and it’s murder on the
brakes. But get a straight and you’re back in heaven.
I think a stock street XJS could stay with any stock, street E-
Type. But both drivers would have to be nuts to push to the limits.
That’s my opinion at 56, at 20 it was different.
As looks go I like them all, and in my opinion they’re all very
similar, but of course all were designed by the same man pretty
much. The E-type’s lines only became ‘‘classic’’ fairly recently and
iconic even more recently. I bought mine for 2000 and 3500. in the
early 70’s. Give the XJS’s the time they’ll be clasic too.
Plus I just thought, I though XJS stood for XJ-Sport, ie based on
the XJ platform, not that it didn’t or couldn’t follow the E-Type,
not to mention that Jaguar didn’t call the E-Type XKE, that was an
Americanism. I don’t remember Jaguar ever saying in print that the
XJS was replacing the E-Type…that was the problem as I remember,
everybody was expecting a replacement and none came, just the
XJS…a different…if similar cat.
Just my 2 cents.
Lee Murray '95 4.0 Convertible–
The original message included these comments:
As I’ve said before, the XJS critics keep trying to compare it to
the E-Type it replaced. Yes, compared to the classic lines of the
E-Type, I’m sure the XJS is considered a dissappointment. No one
is willing to judge it on it’s own merits except us owners.
Even on rollout, the folks in Coventry seemed a little ashamed of
the XJS. I read and saw a picture of the prototype with an XK-F
badge, but they renamed it because it was not worthy of having a
follow on label to the E-Type. I also wonder if that also has
something to do with it being the only passenger sports model (that
I know of) that is an ‘‘XJ’’ not an ‘‘XK.’’
In reply to a message from LeRoy Murray sent Fri 3 Dec 2004:
As I was reading this another thought came. Who that matters
considers the XJS a disappointment? I wanted one, and did annual
test drives, from the first time I saw one. And considering the
comments and thumbs up I get driving a 10 yr old car, I ask again
who was disappointed? Only the people who couldn’t/can’t afford
one.
Lee Murray '95 4.0 Convertible–
The original message included these comments:
E-Type, I’m sure the XJS is considered a dissappointment. No one
is willing to judge it on it’s own merits except us owners.