Re.: XJ Production Chart 1968-2000

J.A.M.,

Jags were/are not "hand built". Oh, the production methods allowed (necessitated?) more hand assembly than many other cars of the era, but they were not hand built in the pure sense. I remember reading some Jaguar sales literature (referencing, I think, 70s vintage E-types) which proudly stated that it took 12 days to build a Jaguar versus less than one day for an "ordinary" car.

Model years get very confusing as different markets have different ways of determining model year. For the USA, it was common for Jaguar to have the "new" model year production begin early in the prior year. For example, my 1988 XJS was built in Feb '87. My '87 XJ6 built in August '86, etc. I don't know when either was sold but its probably safe to say that Jaguar rushed them off to market just as fast as they possibily could....as any car builder would do. After assembly its off to the marshalling yard, then shipping depot, then shipped, then the distributor has it, then off to the dealers....some time involved, yes....I thinking a month? How long after that the sale took place would be dependant on many variables. A Jag in a less popular color may have languished for ages before someone bought it, for example.

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR
1988 XJS

hi Duncan,

as I understand it now, Jaguars are manufactured a year before they are shipped to dealers and sold; For example, my 1984 model-year XJ-6 (sold in September 1984, based on the Sales Invoice which I got from the original owner, and Registered as a 1984 XJ-6), was actually manufactured in June 1983 based on a sticker applied to the driver's door 'B' post. Why? they were built by hand, a very slow assembly line! In other words, my car was already over 1 year old when it was sold! Also, when I compare mine with 1983 model-year XJ-6's, they are different than mine in a number of details, so my car has 1984 model-year details that a 1983 does not have.

I would then assume that your car was manufactured in 1978 based on what I know from mine. I don't know if that helps you but at least that's a bit more info.

Here's another place to check: in my car, covered by the REAR bumper where noone would look unless the entire bumper assembly was removed, under the "overhang lip" where the tailpipes panel and the trunk's panel meet, there is a spot-welded plate with serial numbers, on the driver's side of the car. It measures 2?¢" long by about ?¢" high, it is painted over in the same color as the rest of the car. (my car still has the original paint). You might check your car there. The Service Manual refers to this plate in the "BODY" section of the Manual. I can see it in mine with a mirror and flashlight looking under the bumper. With that number handy, you can find out more about the production date, and by what you say, your car might be closer to a Series III because of the Fuel Injection, perhaps one in the last group of Series II built.

regards, J.A.M.

1984 XJ-6
1965 'S' type

Hi J.A.M.,

Sorry, we've managed to become confused.

It appears that the S3 cars started with a production number of 30000 or some such.

I was wondering what was the VIN of the last S2.

It's a fuel-injected model so it's late in the run of S2's and it's registered as a 1979 model.

I was just curious how close to the last of the 1979 S2's my car was manufactured.

I see that I can go to a site and get the full history of the car. I understand that I'm the third owner.

Thanks,

Duncan

evntually you'll find a part that has a date on it, wiring harnesses usually have a date, Those dates are usually 3 months prior to the Mfg. Date. there are welded plates showing VIN numbers, if not the Mfg. Date.

But your Title and/or Registration should have the VIN, and a Search by Carfax would tell you when it was First registered and where, record of accidents, other owners, etc.

I have to assume that the production date is located on that piece of flimsy aluminum that is affixed to the "A" pillar below the windshield line inside the front driver's door closing. The one that requires your neck to work at an angle unknown to man!

If that's where it's given then I can't help because any information seems to have been eroded or erased or maybe was never there.

The paint and trim designations show no sign of ever being there and there is the faintest ghost of an image for the "mfd date". I can just make out the last six digits of the VIN.

Duncan

Hmmmm. I'll try to find that info. What is the production date, just out of curiosity?

The Ser III cars used a different numbering series, begining with 300001, for anyone who might be interested.

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR
1988 XJS

geez I'd love to help but I have no clue...Maybe Doug knows about this numbering business.

I've just acquired a 1979 Series 2 with fuel injection. VIN JAVLN49C 106524.

Anybody have any idea what was the last number before the Series 3 numbering started?

Thanks,

Duncan

Edited on 2006-11-18 12:28:43

I'll say.

I have to presume those were pre-productions cars, as I think true production of the Ser IIIs began in March '79.

The Ser III vs. XJ40 overlap....often a confusing issue...is clearly seen for 1986 and 1987

Cheers

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR
1988 XJS

ok Doug. Did you notice that only 15 Series 3 XJ-6 were made in 1978 ? would be nice to get one of those early examples, rarest of the rare!

Splendid ! Thanks for that, JAM.

It might be worth mentioning that these are *calendar year* numbers, not model year

Cheers

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR
1988 XJS