VIN NUMBERS:
My 1987 XJ6 has vin number SAJV1346HC464335 in which the tenth
character, H, rightly follows the convention for model year
identification as 1987; I just looked at a non-North American Jaguar
Soverign (7" outer lamps & European size rear license surround) with vin
number SAJJCALP4CC414353 in which the tenth character, C, would indicate
model year 1982, but the last six numbers place it in 1985.
Do non-North American vin numbers follow a different convention to
identify model year? and does anyone have a complete description posted
of the meaning of each character of the Jaguar vin?
DOOR STRIPS:
Harold Rabbie, Saratoga, CA, wrote “Along each side of my 1986 SIII
XJ6 are black plastic trim strips that protect the doors against
dings…is there a source of replacement plastic strips?” and someone
responded that he must have some tacky after-market add-on because door
strips were never supplied.
Well, Harold, I believe your door strips are factory items because my
87 XJ6 has them and the 85 Soverign mentioned above has exactly the same
door strips except the soft part is color matched to the burgandy paint
(mine are black as is my paint).
Also, Nigel Thorley on page 85 of his ‘Complete Conpanion’ writes
that in 1980 “…all V12 Daimlers came with the Vanden Plas style
chromium-plated body side moulding as standard. It was available as an
extra-cost option on other models”. Now I didn’t see a single photo in
the book that showed this molding, but it may not have been a common
British option choice and may have been more useful on export models
bound for the mall parking lot demolition derby.
You might try, dare I say it, a dealer for replacement rubber strips
for this factory or at least dealer option. I think they look good too.
WIRE WHEELS:
My 87 XJ6 has bolt-on Dayton, chrome plated, wire wheels which were
on her when the second owner bought her in 95 (I’m the third owner). I
suspect they were purchased on the car originally and are what
Christopher D. Moore was describing with the three bar “appearance”
spinners held on with a small bolt from the inside.
I too saw Nigel Thorley’s mention of the 1983 warning to dealers
about wire wheels, “…particularly aiming their comments at a type
known as Zenith which had specifically caused problems.” , AND… I saw
the S I mock-up on page 11 with, what else?, WIRE WHEELS.
I really like the look and don’t plan on racing my SIII, but for
piece of mind does anyone know about the strength of Dayton bolt-on’s
(Dayton 2185A-L) or if Dayton has any factory rebuild or re-plate
programs?
Thanks to all for the info I’ve gleaned thus far from the XJ digest.
VIN NUMBERS:
My 1987 XJ6 has vin number SAJV1346HC464335 in which the tenth
character, H, rightly follows the convention for model year
identification as 1987; I just looked at a non-North American Jaguar
Soverign (7" outer lamps & European size rear license surround) with vin
number SAJJCALP4CC414353 in which the tenth character, C, would indicate
model year 1982, but the last six numbers place it in 1985.
Do non-North American vin numbers follow a different convention to
identify model year? and does anyone have a complete description posted
of the meaning of each character of the Jaguar vin?
You can find the vin codes and ‘structure’ in the front of the factory part
manual. According to that information, cars that don’t use the ‘US type
letter for year system’ an A, B, or C is used to designate SI, SII, and
SIII. Thus, the vin you described is simply a SIII. Non-US markets use a
different month/year code on their vin plate. It’s the two letter code
following the paint and trim codes.
DOOR STRIPS:
The rubber insert strips that have been discussed lately are all
aftermarket. The chrome finishers on the sides of the V12s were not meant
to be protection, just trim. They have not been on US cars since the SII
XJ12, those being the last V12 sedans in the US. Note; In 1988, the chrome
finishers did return on the XJ40 VDPs.
WIRE WHEELS:
My 87 XJ6 has bolt-on Dayton, chrome plated, wire wheels which were
on her when the second owner bought her in 95 (I’m the third owner). I
suspect they were purchased on the car originally and are what
Christopher D. Moore was describing with the three bar “appearance”
spinners held on with a small bolt from the inside.
The Dayton wires were often put on the cars as a ‘dealer add on’, but they
were never original equipment from the factory. The Daytons are very
strong wheels, but they are also extremely heavy and very difficult to keep
balanced.
I think the “JJ” is the key. The SIIIs I own have serial numbers beginning
SAJAV and SAJAY. But the number stamped above the fire wall, where the
fender braces meet have the same serial nos. except the "J"s are doubled
i.e. SAJJAY…, SAJJAV… Why? It’s a Jaguar…who knows. Try the
11th no. in the sequence on the non-NA Jag. JW
DTG-PWARNER wrote:> VIN NUMBERS:
My 1987 XJ6 has vin number SAJV1346HC464335 in which the tenth
character, H, rightly follows the convention for model year
identification as 1987; I just looked at a non-North American Jaguar
Soverign (7" outer lamps & European size rear license surround) with vin
number SAJJCALP4CC414353 in which the tenth character, C, would indicate
model year 1982, but the last six numbers place it in 1985.
Do non-North American vin numbers follow a different convention to
identify model year? and does anyone have a complete description posted
of the meaning of each character of the Jaguar vin?
Phil,
I believe the door trim strips were dealer installed accessories. Every
SIII I have seen in my part of the country, without exception, has this
parking lot armor installed. And they are all identical, not a mismatch of
local auto supply store add-ons. I believe there is a vast difference
between factory specification and what was really available to the
car-buying public. I intend to keep mine on the car to guard against the
few remaining Yugos and 4 wheel pick-ups that move under their own power.
Gary
86 SIII
65 MGB
“DOOR STRIPS:
Harold Rabbie, Saratoga, CA, wrote “Along each side of my 1986 SIII
XJ6 are black plastic trim strips that protect the doors against
dings…is there a source of replacement plastic strips?” and someone
responded that he must have some tacky after-market add-on because door
strips were never supplied.
Well, Harold, I believe your door strips are factory items because my
87 XJ6 has them and the 85 Soverign mentioned above has exactly the same
door strips except the soft part is color matched to the burgandy paint
(mine are black as is my paint).”
Here is a breakdown of 10th letter=year documentation right from the
Jaguar manual inside sheets borrowed right from the dealer.
The following letters are not used: I, O, Q, U.
1980 A
1981 B
1982 C
1983 D
1984 E
1985 F
1986 G
1987 H
1988 J
1989 K
1990 L
1991 M
1992 N
1993 P
1994 R
1995 S
1996 T
1997 V
1998 W
1999 X
Anyone wanting actual photocopies of these 3 sheets, please send a self
addressed legal size envelop with 32 cents postage to:
Steve Kennedy
5196 Youngfield Court
Arvada, Colorado
USA 80002-1827
I put my complete address in as I know this goes international. Speaking
of which, if there is a difference for other countries, please post it
and give me your address as I want a photocopy of your info as well.