Jaguar Owners Club

Jaguar SS1 Clark Gable takes delivery of his Jaguar XK120 from William Lyons in 1949 The first XJS F-Type - not for the shy Jaguar's founder described the car as “the closest thing we can create to something that is alive”. But when William Lyons formed the Swallow Sidecar Company (eventually to become Jaguar Cars Limited) in Blackpool in 1922, the company did not at first even make cars. However, after a good few years making add-ons for motorbikes, Lyons felt the pull of four wheels and diversified, fashioning fancy bodywork for Austin and Fiat. No longer content with building new clothing for other people’s cars, Lyons moved to bigger premises in Coventry and commissioned a custom chassis and engine. Then, in 1931, he produced his first complete car, the SS1. The model’s success led to the company uncoupling itself from the sidecar completely and being renamed SS Cars. In 1935, a larger-engine version of the car was the first to be called a Jaguar. The SS Jaguar 100 had a 3.5-litre engine which gave plenty of power to justify the jungle-cat epithet, with the number a boastful indication of the model's 100mph top speed, an incredible feat at the time. During the war, car production was halted as the factory helped the war effort by producing jeep, motorcycle and aeroplane parts for the Allies. But although no cars were rolled out, much oily plotting was happening behind the scenes. Emerging from the bunker, they fled the Nazi connotations of the SS name and became Jaguar Cars. They produced a new XK engine with a then very experimental twin overhead camshaft, which, along with an all-new chassis, was intended for a new saloon. When the saloon was not ready in time, Lyons decided to launch a limited-edition sports car to showcase the new engine’s capability. At the 1948 London Motor Show the XK120 was unveiled, with flowing feline lines that are still recognisably Jaguar today. The beautiful two-seater caused such a sensation that it went immediately into full production. Jaguar struggled to meet demand, especially from overseas. Around 60 per cent of cars were exported to the US, with one owner - the Hollywood star Clark Gable - saying that as soon as he saw it, he “wanted it like a child wants candy”. It also led to success on the track. In 1951, the C-Type - based on the XK120 but with a lighter chassis and body - was driven to victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The car won again in 1953 and its successor, the awesome jet-fighter-on-wheels D-Type, went on to win in 1955, 1956 and 1957. The beginning of the 1960s saw the introduction of two models that for many people are the ultimate Jaguars: the Mark II four-door saloon favoured by everyone from gangsters to TV detectives; and the E-Type, a car regularly voted the most beautiful ever made. But by the 1970s, things started to go wrong. The departure of the by then knighted Sir William Lyons after 50 years; the oil crisis; mergers and Leyland nationalisation; and plunging morale followed by strikes over pay and conditions all led to a bleak period in the marque’s history. That said, the decade is now looked at more rosily for producing two other well-loved models, the initially badly received XJ-S and the early XJ saloons. In 1980, the company was taken over by industrialist John Egan and things started to turn around. He steered the company out of its slump, overseeing a successful stock market flotation, tackling productivity and quality issues and nursing the balance sheets back to health. By the end of the decade there was even long-absent sporting success, with Jaguar-V12-engined TWRs winning at Le Mans in 1988 and 1990. In 1990, Jaguar was bought by Ford, becoming part of the US giant's Premier Automotive Group along with Aston Martin, Volvo and - from 2000 - Land Rover. This brought improvements in reliability and notably a return to form for the XJ saloon which had turned gawkily square-eyed in the 1980s. But it also invited criticism for – among other things – the X-Type, which was derided by purists as a Ford Mondeo in Jag-drag. In 2008, the company was bought, along with Land Rover, by Tata of India. Since then there have been several new models, including an all new XJ and, most recently, the F-Type, whose looks and performance have caused some sharp intakes of breath and even daring mentions in the same sentence as the hallowed E-Type. There has been hardly a negative comment about the F-Type. The closest anyone gets is the occasional observation that the growl is a bit loud and that the car can be “a bit of an animal”. And looking at it from Sir William’s point of view, that’s exactly what a car should be.

A 1952 Jaguar C-Type raced by Jimmy Stewart and later driven by his brother, the three-time Formula One champion Sir Jackie Stewart, is being auctioned at the Bonhams December Sale. The racing roadster is one of seven vehicles from the Dick Skipworth Ecurie Ecosse collection going under the hammer at the classic car auction. The C-Type is one of just 54 built and estimated to reach between £2m and £3m at the sale on Sunday 1 December. The C-Type was bought new by Glasgow motor trader Bob Sanderson as one of the three C-Types to be raced by his son Ninian, and his Scottish team-mates – including Jimmy Stewart – in 1953. It was during the 1953 campaign that Jimmy Stewart took to the wheel of the car - known as "042" after its chassis number - where he came third at Charterhall and sixth at the Nurburgring. After Jimmy’s death in 2008, Sir Jackie Stewart drove the car in homage to his late brother, whom he credited with nurturing his interest in motor sport. "It is one of the most original of the cars in the Skipworth Collection. It has a wonderful history, retains lot of originality, and is in smashing condition," said James Knight, motoring director at Bonhams. He added: "The lovely thing about the C-Type, perhaps more than D-Type, is what you can achieve in terms of owner-driver enjoyment. You can use on historic rallies like the Mille Miglia, and can also drive it on the track. The D-Type is a lot less tractable to drive on public roads.” For those not worried about the how easy it is to drive a car on the road, there is also a 1956 D-Type from the same collection in the sale, with an estimate of between £2.5m and £3.5m. Other highlights from the sale include a 1934 Aston Martin Ulster (£600,000 – £800,000) and a 1964 Porsche 904 GTS Endurance Racing Coupe (£1.3m - £1.6m). This year's December Sale is the first to be held at the Bonhams headquarters on London's New Bond Street.

Avis Luxury Cars has secured two Jaguar F-TYPE models and 45 new XFs for its luxury rental fleet nationwide. "Jaguar’s partnership with Avis provides an ideal platform for consumers to experience a Jaguar first-hand outside of the dealership environment," said Kevin Flynn, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa. "While F-TYPE is a bespoke sports car that won't ultimately suit the practicalities of many new car buyers, the allure of experiencing one first-hand is difficult to ignore. But that desire may just become that much more viable through an Avis experience," added Flynn. The Avis Luxury Cars fleet provides a number of premium vehicles to customers country-wide. Both the Jaguar XF 2.2d and latest 2.0i4 turbocharged petrol models are available in the fleet. "The Jaguar XF appeals to the youngest, most dynamic Jaguar customer yet," said Flynn. "We now have the opportunity to showcase this beautiful car to more people who might not otherwise have considered a Jaguar. For us, the XF embodies the bold design, justifiable luxury, and efficient performance characteristic of all our cars." Jaguar’s XF is available through Avis Luxury Cars in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. The F-TYPEs are available in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Could you email them to me on trevor@jaguarownersclub.com and I will attempt to place them on the site. Many thanks

With designs separated by half a century, can the Jaguar F-TYPE hope to match the aura of the iconic E-Type? JAGUAR E-Type (1961 – 1974) It’s been called the most beautiful car ever made, and has inspired a wave of emulation since 1961 BACKGROUND CHECK When the E-Type was unveiled at the 1961 Geneva motor show it turned the motoring world on its head. Elegant and powerful it combined stunning proportions with a competitive price, leaving many of its rivals to wonder in awe. Jaguar designer Malcolm Sayer had achieved something unique with the E-Type, and even now the car remains an icon of motoring’s finest hour. The New York Museum of Modern Art has one on permanent display, Enzo Ferrari called it “the most beautiful car ever made” and numerous polls have rated it as the pinnacle of sportscar design. Just over 70,000 E-Types were built through three series’ until 1974, and today, an original E-Type Series I roadster in excellent condition will fetch as much as $230,000. BETWEEN THE AXLES The first E-Type was powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder engine sourced from the XK 150 S. Fed by triple SU carburettors the in-line unit survived a three-year stint under that long bonnet before being replaced by a larger 4.2-litre version. That engine powered the E-Type until a 5.3-litre twelve-cylinder was squeezed between the rails in 1971. E-Type models were suspended by a torsion beam front end and coil-sprung independent rear, while powered-assisted disc brakes were fitted all-round. 15-inch spoke wheels graced the arches, and by 1968 air-conditioning and power steering were available as options. The Jaguar E-Type was available in coupe and convertible body styles comprising an aluminium body on a steel chassis. Transmissions included a four-speed manual gearbox, and from 1966 an optional three-speed automatic. BEHIND THE WHEEL Sliding over the thick sill and moving the seat into position it’s reassuring to find the E-Type fits snugly. Despite its lack of adjustment, the thin steering wheel feels right in your hands, but the pedal box is tight, with the throttle and brake pedal especially close. The V12 whirs to life, almost like an aircraft, and sounds silky at idle – but it’s not without intent. There’s a purpose to its note as the engine winds up to 5500rpm. Here it sounds sweetest. It’s mechanical and visceral, almost as if every component is an instrument in an orchestra, all playing perfectly in tune. Swapping gently but accurately through four forward gears the E-Type flinches just slightly as you select fourth, biting slightly on its final ratio. There’s no overdrive – apparently there wasn’t the room for it – but at highway speeds the hum of that glorious V12 more than makes up for what you’d save in fuel. Tracking cleanly the old E-Type steers with remarkable accuracy for its age and communicates freely the surface beneath – and this despite having never being intended for radial tyres. There’s a certain fluidity about its ride quality that belies the grip on offer. It really is as much Grand Tourer as it is a sportscar, all meshed together in a stunning and beautifully balanced package. POWERING THE PURR Jaguar E-Type (1961 – 1964) Jaguar E-Type (1964 – 1971) Jaguar E-Type (1971 – 1974) Engine: 3.8-litre six-cylinder petrol Engine: 4.2-litre six-cylinder petrol Engine: 5.3-litre twelve-cylinder petrol Output: 198kW/330Nm Output: 198kW / 384Nm Output: 234kW / 473Nm Transmission: Four-speed manual Transmission: Four-speed man. / Three-speed auto. Transmission: Four-speed man. / Three-speed auto. Final Drive: Rear Final Drive: Rear Final Drive: Rear 0-100km/h: 6.7 seconds 0-100km/h: 7.0 seconds 0-100km/h: 6.0 seconds 0-400m: 14.7 seconds @ 156km/h 0-400m: 15.0 seconds @ 155km/h 0-400m: 14.2 seconds @ 162km/h Top speed: 226km/h Top Speed: 232km/h Top Speed: 240km/h REFLECTIONS ON AN ICON Even the most hardened motoring critics have a soft spot for the E-Type. But just what does motoring.com.au’s Road Test team think of the car? “I’m the first to admit to ogling a gorgeous body, and the E-Type’s is no exception. It doesn’t matter which angle you view it from or how long you stare, it just never seems to offend. The E-Type engages the eye and provokes the imagination. It’s hard to believe its 50-odd years old.” - Matt Brogan “The E-Type is a car to evoke piquant memories: grainy monochrome images featuring an XK-E in a garage starkly lit for a 1960s Car and Driver photoshoot are counterposed by the sunny tableau of the glamorous blond parking her Series III V12 coupe outside my parents’ shop in the 1970s.” - Ken Gratton “The Jaguar E-Type is one of the most recognisable and alluring vehicles ever designed. It’s an icon whose appealing proportions and curvaceous lines are irresistible. I have fond memories of driving one back in 2011. The gearshift was wobbly, the clutch was weak but once on song it was an incredible machine.” - Feann Torr JAGUAR F-TYPE (2013 – onward) It’s Jaguar’s first two-seat sportscar in 40 years, and it captures the spirit of the brand’s heritage brilliantly BACKGROUND CHECK Jaguar publically revealed the F-TYPE at this year’s Paris motor show. It was hailed as the spiritual successor to the E-Type, and wowed crowds desperate for the revival of a British icon. Penned by Ian Callum, the F-TYPE’s design is a sleek yet sporty nod to Jaguar’s most famous model. Jaguar itself says the segment in which the F-TYPE competes is one that it has been absent from for “way too long”, adding that Jaguar without a roadster is like “Sydney without an Opera House”. Up until the end of October, Jaguar has delivered 55 examples of the new F-TYPE to Australia. Exclusive of on-road costs, F-TYPE pricing ranges from $138,645 for the V6, to $171,045 for the V6 S and $201,945 for the V8 S. BETWEEN THE AXLES The F-TYPE range comprises a choice of three supercharged petrol engines: a 3.0-litre six-cylinder, offered in two states of tune, and a 5.0-litre eight-cylinder. Like the E-Type before it, the F-TYPE utilises a front-engine rear-drive layout. Power is put to the ground via an open diff on the base model, a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) on mid-grade variants and an electronic LSD on top-spec V8 models. F-TYPE models ride on a double wishbone suspension arrangement front and rear. This is further assisted by continuously adaptive dampers which, depending on variant, are adjustable by the driver. The F-TYPE’s all-alloy monocoque is stopped by all-wheel disc brakes fitted inside alloy wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches, depending on variant. An eight-speed ZF automatic transmission is fitted as standard across the range. BEHIND THE WHEEL Sinking behind the wheel of the entry-grade F-TYPE V6 feels akin to being enveloped by the proportions of any real roadster. You sit low, close to the rear wheels and with an expanse of bonnet ahead of you. Beating beneath that long bonnet is a characterful supercharged V6 that takes little provocation to spin through to redline. Its brisk acceleration is accompanied by a sonorous exhaust note not dissimilar to six-cylinders of yesteryear, crackling on overrun and howling through to crescendo as if to encourage your foot to the firewall. The close-ratio transmission responds instantaneously to input from the steering wheel-mounted paddles, swapping smoothly between ratios with a devilish blip on down-changes. The chassis offers tenacious grip aided by ripe hydraulic steering to see the F-TYPE ease progressively into gentle understeer as you push the limits. The suspension works effectively on most surfaces, though scuttle shake does intrude when you ask too much on lumpy back roads. Spending more time with the F-TYPE proves how happy it is to cruise the open road. It eats mile after mile with consummate ease, and is as quiet as a hardtop of similar proportions with the roof in place. The cabin is a fantastic place to spend time, which makes the fact the F-TYPE’s boot is so small seems such a pity. POWERING THE PURR Jaguar F-TYPE V6 (2013 – onward) Jaguar F-TYPE V6 S (2013 – onward) Jaguar F-TYPE V8 S (2013 – onward) Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder supercharged petrol Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder supercharged petrol Engine: 5.0-litre eight-cylinder supercharged petrol Output: 250kW/450Nm Output: 280kW/460Nm Output: 364kW/625Nm Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Final Drive: Rear Final Drive: Rear Final Drive: Rear 0-100km/h: 5.3 seconds 0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds 0-100km/h: 4.3 seconds 0-400m: 13.1 seconds @ 172km/h 0-400m: 12.9 seconds @ 176km/h 0-400m: 12.0 seconds @ 193km/h Top speed: 260km/h Top Speed: 275km/h Top Speed: 300km/h

British company restores, repairs and resells famous Jag The latest offering from Eagle is the Low Drag GT. The original Low Drag car was designed by Malcolm Sayer and was meant to be a streamlined version of the E-Type for racing. They called it the GT Prototype Coupe, later the Low Drag Coupe. By 1962, the FIA decided not to sanction the proposed Production Sports Car Manufacturers Championship, and the GT project stalled.The one staple of any Jaguar E-Type article is a reference to Enzo Ferrari calling it “the most beautiful car ever made.” And we get it, that's high praise from a man who brought us some of the world's best-performing cars. A British company called Eagle specializes in the rolling sculptures, repairing and restoring using modern techniques. The Eagle Low Drag GTs, built from the original cars, come with Eagle's 4.7-liter all-aluminum I6 engines making 346 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque. That power pushes a lightweight body that tips the scales at only 2,288 pounds. Top speed is rated above 170 mph, and the 0-60 sprint takes less than five seconds. The cockpit is more spacious than the original, according to Eagle, and is trimmed luxuriously. Extra insulation is added, as is air conditioning. Heated glass is installed in the front and rear, the trunk is enlarged and a long-range fuel cell is installed. A five-speed manual transmission sends power rearward through a Power Lock differential. An Eagle Supersport suspension keeps things stuck to the pavement with Ohlins dampers. AP Racing brakes bring things to a halt. Production will be extremely limited, according to Eagle, and each will be a bespoke commission, meaning you can pick what materials, paint colors, accents and power levels you like. It won't be cheap. Eagle says the price will be “in excess of $970,000,” converted from British pounds. Go to eaglegb.com for more information. Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20131127/carnews/131129840#ixzz2mE0HkM9N By: Jake Lingeman on 11/27/2013

Amazing supercar being road tested

Hi Paul....and welcome back to the club. Sorry about the deletion of the threads, they were excellent. I still have the link to them but no content unfortunately. Good to see you back though Regards Trevor

Hi Lloyd...and welcome to the club (again!) :) And welcome back to Jaguars once more. I too have seen the dark side and have gone off to German cars aswell :( Look forward to seeing some piccies of your Jag Regards Trevor

No you're not too late....if you would like to send details to me (as previous post) we will send you some stickers as soon as possible. Regards Trevor

It's always worth having one in the glovebox for what it costs. It makes initial diagnosis cheap and easy and good for resetting lamps

Hi Mike If you could email me your details (full name & address) and I will arrange for some to be posted out to you...free of charge! The only request we have is that you send us some photos of your Jaguar proudly displaying the stickers and then we can place them in our Gallery section. Please email me on: trevor.catt@jaguarownersclub.com Regards, Trevor

Hi Mike....welcome to the club ! Always good to have fellow petrolheads on the forum....look forward to seeing you posting on here. Regards Trevor

Hi Guys Due to some technical issues with our host and not being able to restore a recent back up we have suffered a little bit of data loss. This was mainly due to being set up on a new cloud infrasturcture and the back ups were not tested fully. Some of you may have experienced that we have stepped back a few days and there will be loss in topics, Posts and PM's. We apologise for any inconvinience this may have caused members, including members that registered over the last week that may need to re-register. I have taken steps to ensure that the nightly data back ups are backing up correctly in future and I have taken extra steps to ensure that this will not happen again. We have been lucky over the last 11 years that we have managed to keep the data intact, so as you can understand I am sad that a little bit of data has been lost. Sorry guys! Steve

Hi Peter have you considered buying a code reader to scan the electronics yourself. Here is quite a good little scanner on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221252642417?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 Once you've got a fault code from the ECM then you can post it up here to get some advice. Regards Trevor

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/jaguar-xf-complex-tuning-transformation-by-2m-designs-photo-gallery-71916.html

Hi Billyboy To start with, I would check and inflate/deflate tyre pressures if necessary. You could go for a larger profile to allow for a more comfortable ride but lose the handling benefits. Any members out there experiencing the same problem with their XF ?

Thanks for adding that info....I'm sure some other members will need to know how to upload the camera files

Jaguar X-Type Buyers Guide Buyers guide - jaguar x-type.pdf

Hi BriJ63....and welcome to the forum ! We have just written a buyers guide for the X-Type but haven't yet published it so hopefully you will find some useful information in it. Look forward to seeing your posts and pictures once you get one. Regards, Trevor Buyers guide - jaguar x-type.pdf