Hi, 

I'm helping my dad research the history of his old Jaguar and could use some help! It's a 1984 XJ-CS and he was told it was created as a prototype and was 1 of only 12 that were ultimately manufactured by Jaguar before they decided not to go ahead with that prototype. 

Does anyone know if there's a digital archive or online database where I could verify this info? 

Thanks so much!

Hi Elle,

I will try to help you as much as possible.   You can get some assistance by googling Wikipedia and titling Jaguar XJ.  Pages 5 & 6 are the appropriate ones, but there is no reference to the CS, although the engine used might give you some help.  I wrote a book on Jaguar which is now at the printers but all I can say s that my research at the time was hindered by the fact that Jaguar was part of British Leyland [whose records were not that good] and was in process of being made a separate company owned by the State, i,e. Nationalised and under the aegis of Sir John Egan.

You could say that from the time that Jaguar was sold to British Leyland the records were very sparse and did not improve until after 1984 when Sir John Egan was firmly in control.  His Book, "Saving Jaguar" is well worth reading.  While I was writing my book I wrote to Sir Joh and was privileged to meet him at his home in Warwick and ask a lot of questions, mostly concerning the period from 1980 to 1990 when the company was on its way from British Leyland ownership when Jaguar was on the rocks  to the time the company was purchased by Ford.

You could also contact Jaguar Classic Cars who could help.

If I find any more details I will contact you.

Regards,

Peter Lightfoot.