Cars

The 1985 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign Series 3 is the latest evolution in an iconic line born in 1968. The XJ range was originally the personal project of Sir William Lyons, who sought to create a sedan capable of combining luxury, silence and roadholding. After the Series 1 in 1968 and the Series 2 in 1973, Jaguar unveiled the Series 3 in 1979, developed with the help of Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina. This collaboration resulted in modernized styling: higher roofline, enlarged glass surfaces, integrated bumpers and a silhouette that retains British elegance while adopting a more contemporary touch typical of the 80s.

In 1985, the XJ6 Sovereign was one of the most luxurious models in the range. It boasted a particularly well-appointed interior, with abundant leather, varnished woodwork and refined presentation. Under the hood, it carries the ultimate evolution of the XK engine, a legendary six-in-line designed in the late 1940s but perfected over the decades. In this final phase of the 3 Series, it reaches great maturity: smooth, supple, quiet and well suited to the car’s sovereign philosophy. Jaguar was at an important turning point: having become independent once again following its separation from British Leyland in 1984, the brand was looking to improve its quality and image. The 1985 models therefore benefited from increased attention to assembly and finish, making the Sovereign one of the pinnacles of classic British elegance.

Production of the six-cylinder Series 3 ceased in 1987, giving way to the more modern XJ40, which lacked the retro charm that the Series 3 still fully embodied. In retrospect, the 1985 XJ6 Sovereign appears to be one of the last great Jaguars with traditional styling, combining taut, timeless lines, legendary mechanics and a unique, hushed atmosphere.

In terms of technical specifications, the 1985 European version is powered by a 4.2-liter six-line engine with Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection (under license from Lucas), developing around 205 hp at around 5,000 rpm and close to 325 Nm of torque. Top speed is around 200 km/h, and 0 to 100 km/h takes ten seconds. Most models are fitted with a Borg-Warner or ZF automatic gearbox, depending on the latest series, although a manual gearbox with overdrive remains theoretically available. Fuel consumption, faithful to the classic architecture of the XK engine, varies between 13 and 18 liters per 100 km, depending on driving style.

Delivered new in Belgium on August 5, 1985. It has since covered 116,000 km, its last owner having covered the last 15,000 km since 2004.

The car has always been well looked after and maintained. In recent years :

• 2017 – 112,000 km: new stainless steel exhaust system, new tires, new headliner
• 2020 – 115,000 km: complete overhaul of brakes
• 2025 – 116,000 km: full service

The car drives very well, and the gearbox shifts smoothly. Its mileage of 116,000km seems consistent with the documentation and the condition of the vehicle.