Car of the Month : February 2009

Graham Eason runs a classic car hire business called Great Escapes, and one of his fleet is this magnificent 1974 Jaguar XJ6 4.2 in long wheelbase form. As you can see, it’s a beautiful example, wonderfully photographed, too.

It’s obviously a car that Graham has a lot of respect and time for, having blogged about it on this website, as well as his own.

Words and pictures: Graham Eason


Grace, pace, space… this XJ’s ace

THE Great Escape Jaguar is an early long wheelbase car, which adds an extra four inches of rear seat seat legroom. This makes it ideal for weddings or a special weekend away with friends and family touring the Cotswolds. The car has travelled just 36,000 miles since new and until we bought it in 2008 remained in the same family from new.

It is totally original, has never been restored and even features the original tax holder from the supplying dealer. The car was supplied new by a dealer in Redditch to a local company director of a family firm, who bought the car from his company when he retired. This Jaguar XJ6 features full leather interior, immaculate walnut dashboard, electric windows, power steering and automatic gearbox.

Forget the stories about BL quality, these cars are absolutely amazing – hugely overlooked yet they are possibly the best saloon car this side of a Rolls-Royce. The ride, handling and driving experience are superlative, and as for the photography, these pictures were taken outside a small church just off the A441 south of Redditch in a place Weethley. It’s an amazing location – to the right out of shot is a great view of the Malvern Hills.

It’s down a private road and you’ve got to know it’s there.


Gallery

Keith Adams

2 Comments

  1. A beautiful example and a joy to waft around the Cotswolds and beyond in I’m sure, but why are the door mirrors omitted in the last shot?

  2. And the leaping cat wing badges are facing the wrong way.But hey its beautiful and I would love to drive one again. Nothing like these cars so ahead of there time. and a good series two was such a great drive.

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