Cars

The six-cylinder Jaguar XJC, or XJ6C, is the version of the XJ Series II coupe equipped with the 4.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine, representing the entry-level of the coupe while retaining Jaguar’s trademark luxury and refinement. Developed from the XJ6 sedan, the XJ6C was produced from 1975 onwards and shared most of the mechanical elements with the sedan, but was distinguished by its coupé bodywork with two long, pillarless doors, which offered an elegant silhouette and a more dynamic profile. Alongside the Jaguar version, Jaguar also offered the coupé under the Daimler brand, with the Daimler Sovereign Coupé, which used the same chassis and 4.2-liter six-cylinder engine but benefited from even greater refinement, with additional interior finishes, more elaborate woodwork and attention to comfort and luxury details, in order to appeal to a clientele in search of additional exclusivity and prestige.

The 4.2-liter engine developed around 170 hp at 4,500 rpm and 384 Nm of torque at 3,750 rpm, enough to enable the car to reach a top speed of around 182 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around 12 seconds. Transmission was provided by a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic gearbox or, for sportier driving enthusiasts, a four-speed manual gearbox. The six-cylinder engine offered a smooth, progressive drive, while retaining the typical character of Jaguar engines of the time, combining power and smoothness, but with relatively high fuel consumption, around 16 liters per 100 km in mixed driving.

The chassis of the XJ6C and Daimler Sovereign Coupé was a shortened version of that of the sedan, strengthened to accommodate the coupe structure and large, pillarless doors. This architecture ensured a balance between comfort and handling, even if the coupe, being stiffer and heavier at the front, retained a moderate rolling tendency typical of 1970s luxury cars. The interior, whether Jaguar or Daimler, was luxuriously appointed, with leather seats, a wooden dashboard and meticulous finishing, but the Sovereign Coupé was distinguished by additional decorative elements, thicker carpets and more elaborate upholstery details, asserting its upmarket positioning.

Produced in limited numbers, the XJ6C and its Daimler Sovereign variants represent a rare example of a British luxury coupé from the 1970s. The combination of six-cylinder engine, comfort, refined styling and, in the case of the Sovereign, additional prestige, makes them highly sought-after models for collectors, appreciated for their balance between classic elegance and sufficient performance for a grand tourer. These cars perfectly embody the spirit of British luxury at the time, when subtle finishes and smooth driving took precedence over mechanical exuberance.

In the 1970s, Jaguar produced the XJ-C coupe in Jaguar and Daimler versions, the latter more luxurious and recognizable by its vertical grille.
In the USA, Daimlers were sold under the Jaguar name, so the registration documents mentioned Jaguar Cars Ltd. This model is a Daimler Sovereign sold new in California, left-hand drive with automatic gearbox produced in 1977. It has been fully restored in the USA, and is in excellent condition inside and out, having been restored from the frame up. The interior has been refurbished with new cream leather, while the bodywork has benefited from a complete overhaul.

This Daimler XJ6C was imported into Belgium in 2007 with a converted km counter. It has since covered 17,500 km. It is accompanied by Belgian papers and a detailed file tracing all the work carried out, illustrating the considerable expense invested in its refurbishment. The tires are new, guaranteeing optimum safety and driving comfort.