Quaker State / Group 44 XJS ruled the Trans-AM series, back in the late 70s and early 80s. Massive hp and giant side exhaust. Expert driver, Bob Tulius was really unbeatable. Look it up.
I owned the car after filming ……. I suspect he had to go for a little lie down after that drive. The gearbox is a tricky beast, I used to get out and push it backwards as it was quicker and easier than finding Reverse. Hats off to the current owner for getting it road legal, it looks amazing on those lanes!
I'm not a Jaguar fan, but I always absolutely loved how this car looks and sound. I know is not the most beloved Jaguar model, but it's one of the few that really grab my attention. Stunning car.
I didn't know about the series, so it's all new to me. I may not be the first one to mention this, but it's evident that they drew inspiration from the Group 44 jags that Bob Tullius raced in the United States in period
In 2010 I bought the '73 El Camino that featured in the TV series My Name is Earl for 4 years. It had a 7.3 liter V8 (454 ci). I owned and drove it (on diplomatic plates) in Geneva, Switzerland. It was great. Sold it 6 years later to another series enthusiastic in Canada, where it still is today. It was exactly as it was in the series and I did not change a thing (except putting in seat belts ...)
It reminds me of the Group C XJS V12s raced and prepared by Tom Walkenshaw for Jaguar Rover Australia in the Australian Touring Car Championship early 80s. Just not as snarly... hearing those Big Cats climbing Mt Panorama at Bathurst snarling and hissing from the twin Turbos blow off valves... What weapons.
1985 -- What a year for Bathurst! The sound of the Jag from the in-car camera as it shrieks it's way down Conrod still sends shivers down my spine. This is Tom W's qualifying lap prior to the race: ruclips.net/video/M9I7GWllPFY/видео.html
My brother had an ‘88 XJS-C and the steering was exactly as you described. As it turned out the bushings holding the steering rack had completely perished, allowing it to move randomly. It was a really cheap and easy fix.
I agree, it sounds like he's describing the standard behaviour of V12 steering rack bushes, probably complicated by the aftermarket wheels. I put larger diameter wheels on my '88 XJ-S 3.6 sport, and now it tramlines. It doesn't do the inconsistent steering response under load though, because I believe that's a function of the rack bushes which are different between sport pack and regular V12 models.
The rigid bushings don't fix everything, just makes the 'feel' a bit 'tighter', it doesn't address the root problem = mainly the pinion head valve block. The OEM natural rubber flexy-bushes tend to complement this defect of the design by allowing the rack to horizontally oscillate, kind of counterintuitive.
What a hooligan car! The wayward front end is likely caused by bump steer, which can be aggravated or improved by judicious attention to alignment settings. If the front wheels are wider only outboard of the centerline of the wheel, there’s not much to be done, as hitting a bump on one side will cause the wheel-tire combo to act like a lever and yank the steering in that direction. Such behavior certainly helps keep the driver awake and alert!
You continue to manage to surprise with your own unique content covering cars and ideas that are different to everyone else. I continue to wait for each video to see what you will do next!!
I love the XJS V12, but that old 3 speed gearbox just strangled that wonderful engines true potential. As anyone who's seen Harry Metcalf's XJ12C knows, a manual conversion, with a bigger exhaust system really does transform a V12 Jag from a quiet cruiser to a beautifully sounding performance car. Not sure about the body work on this car, but that green leather interior looks amazing.
Jack, probably those wide and off design centre wheels have completely stuffed up the Jag's front end geometry and that is causing the "bump steer" you were experiencing. What looks "cool" isn't always a "performance enhancement". But the vehicle looked the part for it's role in the series that's what counts.
A totally left-field suggestion for a car review - a Honda CRZ. £20 road tax, diesel levels of fuel economy from a petrol engine and a great looking car, which can be fun to drive.
One of the reasons for that scary handling could be the subframe mounts which are prone to giving way, so when you go over a bump the subframe can over slightly in relation to the chassis, very dangerous but it can't leave company completely due to the donut style of the front mounts. If the steering rack mounts haven't been done, that won't be helping either.
We can see the sinew in your arms as you hold on to that thing for dear life, great effort Jack, these videos are fantastic and your content is greatly appreciated by everyone. Keep them coming.
Hah! Love this car. Glad Luke got his broken rear hub fixed after plowing a field with it (you'll have to ask him for the pictures if you haven't' seen his agricultural misadventures in it). The one bit that DID impress me about the show is that they actually left the V12 in the car instead of lumping it.
Do something with that Steering Rack one day. It's over-boosted, its spool valve ports are all wrong. Maybe someone can make an upgrade control pinion. Tom Walkingshaw had it done.
I`d guess the massive offset on those rims have turned it into a tramlining monster... I bet with a set of Jag Speedlines on it, with the correct offset, would sort out the weird handling traits on that one. Also, theres a lot of soft bushes in Jag suspension & also on the steering rack, even in good condition theres some "slop", & I bet theres a few out on that one. I`ve had a couple of manual Jags in the past, & they do have a fairly agricultural change, & a heavy clutch. I also found manual XJ`s felt quite unnatural, & numerous times I stalled them coming off of long motorway runs, as I`d completely forget I was in a manual, not an auto!
Very rough and tatty, as you say just like other film cars. I've seen two, Morse's red Jaguar, that was very rusty, I've also seen the Mk1 Sprite (at an auction) that was in Heartbeat. The whole car was just one big bodge, for instance it had Herald pedals. It was very disappointing to see these cars close up.
Looks a lot of fun Jack compared to the limp standard model with its lacklustre 3 speed auto. Always fancied having a go in a Lister XJS from the late 80's early 90's which are properly sorted modded XJS's.
A 700bhp Lister Le Mans is virtually at the top of my lottery win list, as is a Lynx Eventer.. Who knows, I might build a combination of the two in that scenario!
now thats a "mans car" to drive, looked like you forgot your 3 shredded wheat that morning.... reminds me of my '82 XR3, used to give you a workout parking, small wheel + no PAS, they put a bigger wheel on the next model... keep up the excellent work young man
I'd seen this on Piston heads but this video really brings it to life. It's not as bad as I thought it would be to drive, which was a surprise. It's not a classic for shrinking violets is it Jack...?
At first, I liked it. Now, I'm in two minds. Fake dials, interior sprayed with green dye, kitchen lights(!) on bonnet, wheel arches made of filler... Nah. Just shows how great the role of the viewer's imagination is, in cinema.
ok I'll ask....how is that road legal with all that pedestrian piercing stuff on the bonnet and that brake bias lever....or is it "dealt with" come MoT time?..
XJS isn't as stylish as other Jags and this bad boys look suits it just fine I think. If the owner cleans up everything including the scoop it might be a winner. Could do with another steering wheel.
I have been looking for the steering wheel that is in this XJS for years here in the USA but no luck so far. I think they were only installed in 1988 cars here in the US
The Bob Tullius Group 44 Race car that inspired this XJS is still being campaigned by the Morris family here in Ontario, Canada.
Quaker State / Group 44 XJS ruled the Trans-AM series, back in the late 70s and early 80s. Massive hp and giant side exhaust. Expert driver, Bob Tulius was really unbeatable. Look it up.
I owned the car after filming ……. I suspect he had to go for a little lie down after that drive. The gearbox is a tricky beast, I used to get out and push it backwards as it was quicker and easier than finding Reverse. Hats off to the current owner for getting it road legal, it looks amazing on those lanes!
It will be those wide tires following the 'tram lines' left by H.G.V.'s and the camber of the road making it wonder about.
I'm not a Jaguar fan, but I always absolutely loved how this car looks and sound. I know is not the most beloved Jaguar model, but it's one of the few that really grab my attention. Stunning car.
I didn't know about the series, so it's all new to me. I may not be the first one to mention this, but it's evident that they drew inspiration from the Group 44 jags that Bob Tullius raced in the United States in period
Homage to the Group 44 XJS
Do you and Harry (from "Harry's Garage") live close to each other? That corner (6:12) seems to be the same corner in a lot of his videos
I had a Tremec 6-speed manual put on my '92 XJS-V12. Made a whole new car out of it!
In 2010 I bought the '73 El Camino that featured in the TV series My Name is Earl for 4 years. It had a 7.3 liter V8 (454 ci). I owned and drove it (on diplomatic plates) in Geneva, Switzerland. It was great. Sold it 6 years later to another series enthusiastic in Canada, where it still is today. It was exactly as it was in the series and I did not change a thing (except putting in seat belts ...)
Great series, shame it ended when it did, had so much more potential!
Man I loved that series!! Remember the Camino well!
I loved MNIE as well, so much so, my kids got me the box set one birthday!
@@MrPabsUk Pigsquatch!
It reminds me of the Group C XJS V12s raced and prepared by Tom Walkenshaw for Jaguar Rover Australia in the Australian Touring Car Championship early 80s.
Just not as snarly... hearing those Big Cats climbing Mt Panorama at Bathurst snarling and hissing from the twin Turbos blow off valves...
What weapons.
They were non-turbo but TWR modified them to the point where they dominated Bathurst in 1985
1985 -- What a year for Bathurst! The sound of the Jag from the in-car camera as it shrieks it's way down Conrod still sends shivers down my spine. This is Tom W's qualifying lap prior to the race: ruclips.net/video/M9I7GWllPFY/видео.html
My brother had an ‘88 XJS-C and the steering was exactly as you described. As it turned out the bushings holding the steering rack had completely perished, allowing it to move randomly. It was a really cheap and easy fix.
I agree, it sounds like he's describing the standard behaviour of V12 steering rack bushes, probably complicated by the aftermarket wheels. I put larger diameter wheels on my '88 XJ-S 3.6 sport, and now it tramlines. It doesn't do the inconsistent steering response under load though, because I believe that's a function of the rack bushes which are different between sport pack and regular V12 models.
@@MathsYknow Yup, same here. Former XJS owner who had exactly the same thing.
The rigid bushings don't fix everything, just makes the 'feel' a bit 'tighter', it doesn't address the root problem = mainly the pinion head valve block. The OEM natural rubber flexy-bushes tend to complement this defect of the design by allowing the rack to horizontally oscillate, kind of counterintuitive.
What a hooligan car! The wayward front end is likely caused by bump steer, which can be aggravated or improved by judicious attention to alignment settings. If the front wheels are wider only outboard of the centerline of the wheel, there’s not much to be done, as hitting a bump on one side will cause the wheel-tire combo to act like a lever and yank the steering in that direction.
Such behavior certainly helps keep the driver awake and alert!
There's just something about big old wide arched Jaguars. One of my all time favourite race cars is the Broadspeed XJ12C
I love the green interior!
You continue to manage to surprise with your own unique content covering cars and ideas that are different to everyone else. I continue to wait for each video to see what you will do next!!
As XJS Lover this hurts to see and makes me smile the same time :-D - Cool Video!
I love the XJS V12, but that old 3 speed gearbox just strangled that wonderful engines true potential. As anyone who's seen Harry Metcalf's XJ12C knows, a manual conversion, with a bigger exhaust system really does transform a V12 Jag from a quiet cruiser to a beautifully sounding performance car. Not sure about the body work on this car, but that green leather interior looks amazing.
Personally I'd think it would be cool to route the exhaust through those side pipes, I'd be curious to hear the v12 through those
Great episode Jack. I can't think of another RUclips channel that would review this vehicle - keep up the refreshing content.
Thanks chap!!
Aah the patented Harry metcalfe bean can roof lining.
Loving the group 4 inspired paintjob.
The XJS v12 is a great car and seems very underappreciated
It's a great car unless you have to try to keep one running and want all the things to work all at the same time.
Looks like it's wearing 1970S QUAKER STATE racing colours from the USA saloon racing series.
The JAGUAR XJS is my favourite JAGUAR, alongside with the E-TYPE (of course)
That weird steering feeling is called 'tram-lining', probably caused by tyres and suspension anomalies.
They do the filler wheel arch extensions by stretching panty hose between the fender and a wire, then lathering that with bondo.
that Jag XJS is a superb piece!
Jack, probably those wide and off design centre wheels have completely stuffed up the Jag's front end geometry and that is causing the "bump steer" you were experiencing. What looks "cool" isn't always a "performance enhancement". But the vehicle looked the part for it's role in the series that's what counts.
A totally left-field suggestion for a car review - a Honda CRZ. £20 road tax, diesel levels of fuel economy from a petrol engine and a great looking car, which can be fun to drive.
The livery reminds me of the Group 44 race cars
One of the reasons for that scary handling could be the subframe mounts which are prone to giving way, so when you go over a bump the subframe can over slightly in relation to the chassis, very dangerous but it can't leave company completely due to the donut style of the front mounts. If the steering rack mounts haven't been done, that won't be helping either.
In the '80's in New Zealand a LOT of XJS's had small block Chevys installed, usually with a 5 speed Toyota Supra 5 speed.
We can see the sinew in your arms as you hold on to that thing for dear life, great effort Jack, these videos are fantastic and your content is greatly appreciated by everyone. Keep them coming.
I was sorely tempted to bid on this when it was up for auction (H&H, I think), but I chickened-out. Kinda wish I had now. Such a cool thing.
6:22 The gearbox is quite ... Gnocchi 🙂
😁😁😁😁😁😁
Hah! Love this car. Glad Luke got his broken rear hub fixed after plowing a field with it (you'll have to ask him for the pictures if you haven't' seen his agricultural misadventures in it). The one bit that DID impress me about the show is that they actually left the V12 in the car instead of lumping it.
Sounds amazing!!!
Still watching, still enjoying thanks Jack!
Hey, I have an XJ-S and didn’t even know about this show!!
Thanks for watching!
Awesome stuff Jack! Your getting access to some really interesting cars bud 👍👍
Thanks Ryan, hope you’re good chap!
@@Number27 I'm doing good Jack thanks 👍..... Hope you're well bud, take care 😉👍
Love these odd cars, fab to see, thanks Jack 👍
Thanks for watching And enjoy the summer!!
Going to start driving my '89 again once the weather gets a little bit more friendly!
Do something with that Steering Rack one day. It's over-boosted, its spool valve ports are all wrong. Maybe someone can make an upgrade control pinion. Tom Walkingshaw had it done.
That sound 🎉🎉
I believe that Inspector Morse's Mk 2 was a real heap of you know what. Bond's Astons? Jason King's Bentleys?
Absorbing video. Thanks Jack!
The XJ-S is probably my all-time favourite car………..I’m unable to comment on this one though……..😐
I`d guess the massive offset on those rims have turned it into a tramlining monster... I bet with a set of Jag Speedlines on it, with the correct offset, would sort out the weird handling traits on that one. Also, theres a lot of soft bushes in Jag suspension & also on the steering rack, even in good condition theres some "slop", & I bet theres a few out on that one.
I`ve had a couple of manual Jags in the past, & they do have a fairly agricultural change, & a heavy clutch. I also found manual XJ`s felt quite unnatural, & numerous times I stalled them coming off of long motorway runs, as I`d completely forget I was in a manual, not an auto!
Very rough and tatty, as you say just like other film cars. I've seen two, Morse's red Jaguar, that was very rusty, I've also seen the Mk1 Sprite (at an auction) that was in Heartbeat. The whole car was just one big bodge, for instance it had Herald pedals. It was very disappointing to see these cars close up.
Bump steer
Clutch fork needs for travel.. that should solve the gear change issue
Looks a lot of fun Jack compared to the limp standard model with its lacklustre 3 speed auto. Always fancied having a go in a Lister XJS from the late 80's early 90's which are properly sorted modded XJS's.
A 700bhp Lister Le Mans is virtually at the top of my lottery win list, as is a Lynx Eventer.. Who knows, I might build a combination of the two in that scenario!
So Jack, you have some zombies at home?! Hahaha
now thats a "mans car" to drive, looked like you forgot your 3 shredded wheat that morning....
reminds me of my '82 XR3, used to give you a workout parking, small wheel + no PAS, they put a bigger wheel on the next model...
keep up the excellent work young man
You are a brave man....it's looks a death trap!!
The wheels are called Centrelines....big in the eighties on souped up cars.
Good old Centrelines, fine on a drag strip car, less ideal on the front of a 300 brake 2 & 1/2 ton Jag, with their lack of ventilation..
This is great! Love what you are doing!
Glad you’re enjoying it!!
How’s about the New Avengers v12 XJ next? With the bubble arches and those lister wheels.
I'd seen this on Piston heads but this video really brings it to life. It's not as bad as I thought it would be to drive, which was a surprise. It's not a classic for shrinking violets is it Jack...?
Definitely not!!
Me too - really interesting to see it driving
At first, I liked it. Now, I'm in two minds. Fake dials, interior sprayed with green dye, kitchen lights(!) on bonnet, wheel arches made of filler... Nah. Just shows how great the role of the viewer's imagination is, in cinema.
Awesome car. Nice video. This is car is a Jaaaag but they also enjoy a bit of fun between accounting fraud.
Simon Templar just shed a tear 😢
fairly sure i saw the same roads on harry's garage channel road lol
A truly special car.
Nice but not sure if I’d want to be in stop start traffic with that gearbox lol 😂
I never heard of this show! Am I the only one?
Nope, not me either.
Is GTA for Grand Theft Auto or Greater Toronto Area? If the latter, hi neighbour!
@@lebojay Worst case Ontario.
I've passed over many sub $2k v12 Jags like this. Another regret to add to the list. This body style has grown on me
Always liked the one in the saint
Is the headliner stock?😂
It’s got green leather interior. Winner winner chicken dinner !
ok I'll ask....how is that road legal with all that pedestrian piercing stuff on the bonnet and that brake bias lever....or is it "dealt with" come MoT time?..
Didnt the bonnet open 🤣
Those wide tires make a fine driver out of anyone who uses them the tires really find the road
Superb car something different i like it a lot .
Ready for your private entry at Le Mans now Jack. Cobra head gear lever for all your fleet now?! 🙏
Your next restro project 😂😂😂
Sounds like bump steer🤔
I was waiting for a second season but apparently we never gonna get it (also no war of the worlds).
Does this make the car a has Bean ???
Judging by the comments it's more of a never bean sean.
Tom Walkinshaw?
Brilliant!
These love NITROUS
I rate it. Thats probably not a good sign.
Awesome Group 44 colours. Terrible, terrible, terrible bonnet, wheels and exhaust...
ARGH!!! No discussion what so ever about any mods that might have been done to the engine. Didn't even open up the bonnet!
No mods.. and I did open it but I think forgot to include the clip!
Great car, actually great series as well.
Oh Jack, I’ve been waiting for an XJS review and you come up with that pile of………..
XJS isn't as stylish as other Jags and this bad boys look suits it just fine I think. If the owner cleans up everything including the scoop it might be a winner. Could do with another steering wheel.
I have been looking for the steering wheel that is in this XJS for years here in the USA but no luck so far. I think they were only installed in 1988 cars here in the US
Its a shame its a film car as it could be done so much better, but probably needs to stay as it is.
A manual V12? How could it not be fun to drive.
I hope this thing was exceedingly cheap to buy.
Good lord.
Guarantee it won't feel the same on its original 3 speed Auto box.
Manual transmission just takes it to another level 👊
Hideous but sounds amazing
Quinticentiaaly American
That’s one more thing to add to the list of things I wouldn’t be seen dead in.
The way it drives somebody will…..
@@dhdove 😀 Yes, a similar thought did cross my mind. Luckily Jack survived that one!
3rd !
I just had to stop at 2:17 to say that sounds like the most ridiculous, childish television series ever.
😄😄😁
All filler and no killer.
It’s no mad max, let’s be real… only the Aussies can pull that look off
I'll be honest, imo these never seem to sound that good for a V12
So Worse than 'KITT' in conversion.. Yikes, that's just awful... Couldn't it have been from the out-start, a Ford of some kind instead?