Re: Introduction (UK and NZ built XJ6s)

[Mike Morrin <mikem@southern.co.nz>]

Jason Jackett wrote:
> 
> Hello Jag Lovers
> 
> What do readers think about the XJ12? I have seen an 83 and 84 advertised
> for about $12,000 ( US$7,500 ). They have most likely been imported from
> the UK. I can't imagine many New Zealanders being able afford these
> vehicles new. If I do find a good import it would be interesting to know
> how much these vehicles are being bought for in the UK ( Can anyone help me
> here? ).

If buying a UK import, look really hard for rust, and also, places where
there was rust, but a DPO in the UK has had really cheap and shoddy
repairs made.  Because cars do not rust as much in New Zealand, many
people don't even know where to look.  I made this mistake when I bought
a 10 year old XJS in the UK, it had no visible rust, but much later I
discovered that there was thin sheet metal pop-riveted over the rusty
bits of the floorpan (and around the radius arm mounts), then coated
liberally with underseal.
> 
> Most of the XJ6's in New Zealand were assembled in the country at the
> British Leyland factory in Nelson. Does anyone have any information on what
> models and how many were made.
> 
I would also like to know more of the history of Jaguar assembly in New
Zealand.  I think that the plant was building Jaguars when the XJ6 was
introduced in 1968.  Cars were assemble from CKD kits for the Australian
and New Zealand markets. The plant stopped Jaguars when the Australians
came to the conclusion that the quality of New Zealand built cars was
even worse than UK built cars.  (perhaps late 70s?).  

I am not sure if there is an easy means of identifying a NZ assembled
car, although to meet local content rules, some small items such as
ignition coil, battery, tires (also probably radiator and upholstery)
were of local manufacture.

I think that only standard spec 2.8 and 4.2 litre XJ6s were assembled at
Nelson, and I was told once that it was the only Jaguar assembly line
outside of Coventry.

Mike Morrin

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References:

• Introduction
• From: "Jason Jackett" <jayjay@ihug.co.nz>

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