1973 Jaguar XJ6 Sedan

My mainstay daily drive for nearly a decade and a half, primarily while working in Seattle, this 1973 Jaguar XJ6 was retired to occasional use as of the year 1995. During my tenure of ownership, this veteran has traveled over 285,000 miles and I have rebuilt nearly every one of its drive train components at least once (...including the venerable 4.2 liter DOHC inline six cylinder engine). Given the somewhat unusual combination of a short wheelbase chassis in conjunction with its 1973 one year only factory lowered ride height and sport suspension (...from 1968 through 1972, the XJ6 offered a more compliant feel in keeping with its 420G predecessor, while 1974 saw introduction of U.S. Federal Government mandated five mile an hour impact bumpers and standardized ride height that had the net effect of compromising performance in exchange for what I view to have been only a meager measure of safety), the ride quality of this fine feline is truly on par with any modern production luxury sedan (...although I will admit that she does get a further assist from fitment of a full complement of updated urethane suspension bushings).

The passage of time has taken its toll such that the paint on its roof has started to fade and the Connolly leather seats along with various interior wood trim are beginning to pass the point of exhibiting but mere patina. Still, I am not in any hurry to attempt a complete restoration with respect to this vehicle, preferring instead to refurbish selectively while generally allowing my old friend to age as gracefully as she might.