The first full-sized XJ40 prototype appeared in 1973, yet it wasn't until 1986 that it actually went on sale - is this the longest gestation period in BL's history?
Ian Nicholls charts the genesis in pictures...
From '72 to '77... XJ40 evolves
September 1972: Styling scale models
IT'S clear to see that the XJ40 programme was initially developed alongside the XJ27 project - the styling similarities between the two cars are readily apparent. And yet, the XJ-S styling really appears to work when upscaled into a four-door saloon, leading to some awkward and obvious conclusions that Jaguar designers probably wouldn't want us to come to...
February 1973: The first full-sized clay model
A further development of the XJ-S style scheme as revealed in scale form above, the XJ40 has lost a little of its angularity at this point, and clearly shows that some of the concepts investigated in miniature were difficult to develop into full-size form. There are appealing XJ saloon stling touched here, especially around the flanks and wheelarches.
April 1973: Double sided clay model
More XJ-S styling tones here - and the angularity is back. It looks good, but
not really Jaguar-like...
On the other side, a haunch has been added to give the saloon a more feline
stance...
To the left, it looks like an XJ-S, and to the right, it looks even more exciting...
The boot-line of the XJ-S style car (left) looks the more interesting here...
The same car now covered in Dynoc, coloured and sat outdoors... looking good?
May 1973: The style decided?
A refinement of the XJ-S style is now looking like the way forward - and although it's softer and less angular than its sporting cousin, this generation of XJ40 is now looking rather purposeful...
June 1973: Further refinement
August 1973: straightening the curves a little
Note the front spoiler now fitted, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class along for the
ride in the background...
September 1973: management review
The style is now really taking shape - and it is in this form that the XJ40 would be presented to Donald Stokes and John Barber for their approval the following month...
October 1973: confidence grows
May 1974: Italian influence
Jaguar Managing director, Geoffrey Robinson, brought in the Italian styling houses, which resulted in the in-house stylists investigating more radical ideas from late 1973...
June 1974: Compare and contrast
This unappealing effort looks clumsy compared with previous proposals..
August 1974: Someone's been to Solihull
October 1974: More development of a theme
March 1975: smoothing the wedge
September 1975: it's starting to look rather good...
December 1975: Another double-sided clay
March 1976: That model evolves...
August 1976: That model evolves...
There appears to be plenty of work going on here, with two XJ40 prototypes being reviewed...
January 1977: nearly there...
Definitely getting close to the finishing line now - with real XJ6 (1986) styling cuse on the top proposal at least. Note the curious flush door handles on the bottom one... would they have been a winner on a luxury car?
March 1977: nearly there...
The main debate at this stage in the programme was whether the XJ40 was going to be a four- or six-light design. This four-ligter looks rather appealing... but didn't win through sadly.
July 1977: More four-light ideas
Thanks to Ian Nicholls