Concepts and prototypes : Jaguar XJ6

Getting the styling right on Project XJ4 was always going to be tricky…

And as you can see, they had a few goes at it, before settling on the final, beautiful, solution.


From E- to XJ- in a few simple steps

E-type saloon seemed like a great starting point.
E-type saloon seemed like a great starting point.
Rear end was certainly glamorous...
Rear end was certainly glamorous…
Early profile is stunning...
Early profile is stunning…
Front three-quarter view of the above car...
Front three-quarter view of the above car…
Six-light proposal on wires isn't that far off...
Six-light proposal on wires isn’t that far off…
Bulked up boot treatment jars with the rest of the sporting styling scheme.
Bulked up boot treatment jars with the rest of the sporting styling scheme.
The frontal styling starts to get finalised...
The frontal styling starts to get finalised…
Getting there. although it's still a six-light proposal at this point. And those rear lights look interesting.
Getting there. although it’s still a six-light proposal at this point. And those rear lights look interesting.

Experimentation: Fronal styling

A definite case of trying to find their way...
A definite case of trying to find their way…
Jaguar-meets-Bristol with this one...
Jaguar-meets-Bristol with this one…
That nasty oval in the grille was probably there to serve as a link with the S-type.
That nasty oval in the grille was probably there to serve as a link with the S-type.
A smaller oval - stepping in the right direction.
A smaller oval – stepping in the right direction.
The finished article...
The finished article…

Images supplied by Ian Nicholls

Keith Adams

7 Comments

  1. Wow! The ‘E Type saloon’ was incredibly stunning- guess the boot and the packaging would probably have been quite poor- but this was a far more beautiful car than the Series 1 and 2 XJ. Arguably the styling only really came right with the Series 3.

    • To my eyes, the Series 1 XJ is a Sixties icon that eventually clearly showed its age.
      The Series 3 is a testimony to the talent and quality of work at Pininfarina, as they managed to turn the Sixties icon into a truly timeless sculpture of rare beauty.

      • Well, I feel the exact opposite of what you have said is the case.
        The S1 is timeless, the S3 looks very 80s and dated .. like most Pininfarina stuff..
        FWIW

  2. @1 oooooohi think the series 1looks the best from perhaps purists perspective,trouble isi like them all!

  3. Note that the cars are left hand drive, Why is that? Were the prototypes constructed from a non-Jaguar car, such as an American car as a donor for the floorpan engine and running gear?

  4. Also, the iconic Jaguar Leaper has not been fitted, though image 7 from the top, may have a bonnet ornament, the ornament is hard to see, but may be a Jaguar descending from the bonnet,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.