Living with a Classic

Reports from readers who use classic cars as everyday vehicles

Phil Driscoll's 1970 Jaguar XJ6

Traditional leather and walnut, whisper quiet engine, electric windows and all mod cons, smooth as silk ride, ample performance and effortless road-holding.

A modern executive saloon? No, its my 1970 Jaguar XJ6. Even today, this car can hold its own amongst the best that present day manufacturers produce. Jaguar sure got it right when they launched this car in 1968. I found this car in a barn near Bridlington. It had been stood for some time, and prior to that had been driven only during summer months. £400 to buy, a couple of Saturday's under the skilful welding torch of Tony Simons, and another £150 for bits has got me the most cost effective car I've ever owned.

Performance

This is the 2.8 litre model, the baby of the family, so it's not quite as brisk as its bigger brothers. That said, it's more than up to the job of dealing with modern motoring conditions, and can cruise all day long as fast as you dare to go. The 2.8 is notorious for putting holes in pistons, apparently caused by deposits building up when the cars are driven gently. The problems never showed up during the initial testing of the model because, of course, the cars were driven hard all day long to see what would give. It wasn't until sedate old gents started buying them for sunday afternoon runs that the problem came to light. My engine seems fine so far but if it does go, I think I'll treat it to the 4.2 engine sitting in my garden.

Reliability

Well no, of course it's not perfect, but apart from one incident with a corroded connection on the coil ballast resistor for the 'easy start' ignition, its always got me to where I want to go. The SU fuel pumps are temperamental, but since there are two pumps, one for each tank, I can usually persuade at least one of them to work.

Working on the car

Access to the oil filter is quite the worst I have ever encountered, indeed getting at any of the bits hidden under the inlet manifold requires a professional contortionist. Accessing the rear (inboard) disc brakes and handbrake, is a pain. On my previous XJ6, someone had kindly cut a trapdoor at the back of the boot to facilitate access. On this one when the need arises, I'll just drop the rear subframe rather than struggle. When I got the car, there was a bit of welding to do on the rear radius arm mounts and on the front crossmember underneath the radiator. The front wings unbolt, so access to the front was easy. All other jobs I've encountered otherwise (on this and previous Jag/Daimlers) have been reasonably straightforward. Actually, I lie - hoisting the engine and gearbox out of the Daimler Limo was an absolute sod, and the explosive energy released when removing the front springs from the limo proved to be a very effective way of bending spring compressors, as well as raising a call for clean overalls all round!

Economy

Its not as expensive to run these cars as some people would have you believe. Fuel economy is around 22 mpg overall, and given that I need a car about this size for work, I couldn't expect more than about 30mpg from a modern vehicle. The difference between the purchase price of my Jag and a newer car of similar size, performance and level of comfort, buys an awful lot of petrol! Oil consumption is better on this car than on other 6 cylinder Jags I know but, naturally, is higher than a modern motor. However monthly top ups with a litre of ASDA's cheapo 20/50 is hardly financially ruinous. Parts are quite reasonably priced, and easy to get hold of, since quite a lot of these cars were made (the V12 series III variant having gone out of production just over 1 year ago). Tyres, at around £75 a shot, seem to cause my wallet most pain. Insurance, fully comprehensive, costs me £160 - I'm 34 with full no claims bonus.

Conclusion

I just can't imagine using any other type of car every day. As soon as you travel in any other car (expensive modern luxury motors included) you are immediately struck by how noisy and unrefined they are compared with the Jag. OK, the dashboard was laid out before they invented ergonomics, but its perfectly functional, and I do like a nice bit of timber to look at. A good measure of the car is that Tony Simons, a dyed in the wool Rover man if ever there was one, is fancying one for his next car. There can't be many better ways of getting around without paying road tax.

Profile

Phil Driscoll is a computer programmer from Leeds. This is his second XJ6, and he also shares a Daimler DS420 with his brother Paul. The family also has a 'proper' old car - a 1936 Rover Streamline saloon, currently being restored.