Jaguar XJ12, XJ5.3 V12 Gold Portfolio 1972 - 1990

By: Brooklands Books .

The 12-cylinder engine was introduced in late 1972 making the XJ saloon outstanding in smoothness, silence and high performance.

Almost immediately it came out in long-wheelbase form for Jaguar as well as Daimler. Unfortunately the oil crisis of 1973-4 made it a slow seller. However, it was so good it bounced back in Series 2 form. The standard wheelbase cars were dropped in favour of a two-door coupes. Fuel injection was also introduced and the name changed from XJ12 to XJ 5.3, although the Daimler variants retained the Double-Six and Vanden Plas names. To help the fuel efficiency the HE engine was introduced in 1981 and throughout the eighties they were most prestigious cars, despite an outdated design. Jaguar versions were renamed Sovereign HEs in 1984.

This is a book of contemporary road and comparison tests, specification and technical data, new model introductions, driver's impressions, buying second hand, long-term tests.

Models covered include:
Daimler Double Six, Vanden Plas, XJ12L, XJ5.3C, XJ12C, Coupes, XJ5.3, Double Six HE, XJ12HE, Sovereign 4.2 Automatic, Sovereign V12.

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