We debated long and hard about which car would best represent the concept of the ultimate super-coupé.Then we realised that we’re idiots, as the answer was staring us straight in the face all along: the Jaguar XJ-S V12 HE. It’s got continent-munching ability and leather-lined swankiness baked right in…
The E-Type was a tough act to follow. A cultural icon, beloved of many, revered upon a diamond pedestal as a symbol of great British grit and elegance, it felt like a slap in the face to many when the XJ-S appeared. Flying buttresses, angular bits, what’s that all about? A travesty.
With the benefit of hindsight, however, we can see the XJ-S for what it was: an ultra-modern revolution to fly in the face of the softly-softly evolution that had led inexorably to the Series III E-Type (which, let’s face it, wasn’t the prettiest – particularly in 2+2 form). And as time’s worn on, we’ve grown to love it more and more. So we decided to grab hold of one to see if the myth justified the legend.
It had to be a V12, naturally. The six-cylinder cars are nearly as quick while being nowhere near as thirsty, but life’s too short to worry about MPG. A bent-twelve it had to be.
Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Retro Cars.
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Denne historien er fra May 2017-utgaven av Retro Cars.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Incredible ULK
It had turned green, had an appropriate number plate and did something quite remarkable - what else were we going to call the new Retro Cars project car?
They Rebadged It, You Fool!
40 years ago, the UK waited with baited breath for the ‘British Car to Beat the World’. 20 years ago, Rover dealers were still trying to boot the last ones out of their showrooms. Ahead of its 40th birthday, we put the first and last Metros head-to-head
One Saved - On To The Next…
After last month’s mechanical woes, we’ve finally finished our MG ZS project car. Here’s our final instalment, followed by an all-new project
Reverting To Type
The S-TYPE was a huge car for Jaguar; the first model developed from the ground-up under Ford’s stewardship and its first mid-size executive car since the Mk2. Two decades on, how does it fare as a classic?
Knightsbridge Or Kensington?
Tempted by the Metro’s swansong? Here are two virtually unused examples for sale at the same dealership
360' Kickflip
This BMW E30 may appear relatively unassuming, but to the trained eye there are clues that all is not as it seems. No-one, however, will be expecting the self-styled 360i’s fi repower!
Copper Wink
When Kicker Audio decide to build a showcase for their latest speakers, they don’t mess about. This 1950 Studebaker is testament to the passion of a bunch of enthusiasts who didn’t want to just screw some speakers into yet another minivan…
Ade's Volvo 850
This month sees Ade sorting out up his Volvo with an awesome Kenwood headunit.
Take Five
Carlo de Grundt’s fifth-generation Skyline might not have a GT-R badge, but that doesn’t stop it from looking every bit as awesome as its ‘Hakosuka’ forefather...
Coupé De Grâce
Escobar’s '90s Civic coupé hides many surprises, each one developed to Edenilson deliver a killer blow…
