20k: Unicorn: 1976 Jaguar XJC V12 5-spd
The 2-door XJ-Coupe was released during production of the series 2 Jaguar XJ (1973-1979) with available V12 and inline-6 engines. The coupe was only sold from the factory with an unfortunate vinyl top and most (if not all) of the V12 models headed to the states were sold with an automatic transmission. If would indeed be a good day if you found a restored V12 example with a swapped in manual tranmission and a painted roof. Find this 1976 Jaguar XJC V12 5-spd
currently bidding for $12,200 reserve-not-met on ebay with 2 days to go located in Sonoma, CA.
This Jaguar is a prime example of the previous owner’s money and with $90k spent on restoration somebody is going to get a crazy deal if the reserve is less than $20k. The seller, Left Coast Classics, is asking $26,500 on their website, so there is a chance the reserve is reasonable.
Under the hood is the gloriously complicated Jaguar 5.3 liter V12 engine, a monster rated at 244 horsepower and 286 ft-lbs of torque. Repairs on these things are notoriously expensive and frequent, probably the reason so many of them have been converted to carbureted 350 cubic inch Chevy V8s…but the smells and sounds of the V12 cannot be matched.
The interior looks like you could eat off any of the surfaces but the best part is that funny looking little shift knob sticking up where the spindly Jag shifter would normally be. The seller states that a Tremec 5-speed conversion was installed and it transforms the way the car drives – check out this youtube video here for a taste of the driving experience.
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I have loved these forever, even though in the '80's they were considered by many in the UK as "footballer" cars – (many football/soccer players bought them and so were looked down on by the snobs). I had an older gentleman who was a friend of the family who had the saloon version with the 6, and it was a sumptuous experience to ride in it. The green is nice, but the darker silver grey looks lovely on these. It may be my brain, but i see these in the shape of the step nose Alfa from certain angles.
I wish I had not bought my wife her new DD (Cruze), as, I could have bought this for me, and had her in my little eco box (yeah right)
So Classy. That's all I can say.
That hits all of the right buttons for me..until the V12 goes south. Gorgeous restoration but that's one where you're gonna have to enjoy spending the money for the reward of owning what you want without expecting to get anywhere close to your money back out of it.
These are beautiful cars. I expect in a handful of years they'll hit BMW E9 coupe numbers – $35,000 to $100,000 depending.
I love it. The lack of pillars, the V-12, the Manual Trans. Also, far less common than the XKE. Reminds me of period Maseratis in styling.
Asking price on seller's website ($26,500) seems pretty reasonable to me and this one is exactly how I'd want it. And I do want and have wanted ever since introduction of the model. Only downside of it I can see is that it's a '76, which must be smogged in California. Would be much better if it were a '75. But BRG/tan, painted roof, stock chromed wheels, blackwall tires, V12 engine, 5-speed, how sweet!
~ 'This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.'
These are wonderful cars in every respect. I've owned two that I wish I'd never sold. The six cylinder is silky smooth, and were quite reliable. With the small block Chevy conversion it will go like a scalded dog. But neither of those will challenge a twelve cylinder on top end. The manual shift is icing on the cake!