Description
The Jaguar XJC six-cylinder, or XJ6C, is the two-door XJ Series II coupe version equipped with the 4. 2-litre inline-six engine, representing the entry-level of the coupe while preserving the luxury and refinement typical of Jaguar. Developed from the XJ6 saloon, the XJ6C was produced from 1975 and shared most of the mechanical elements with the saloon, while standing out with its long, swing-arch, pillarless two-door bodywork that offered an elegant silhouette and a more dynamic profile. Alongside the Jaguar version, Jaguar also offered the coupe under the Daimler badge, with the Daimler Sovereign Coupé, which reused the same chassis and the 4. 2‑litre six-cylinder engine but benefited from even greater refinement, with additional interior fittings, more elaborated veneers and particular attention to comfort and luxury details to attract a clientele seeking extra exclusivity and prestige.
The 4. 2-litre engine developed around 170 horsepower at 4, 500 rpm and a torque of 384 Nm at 3, 750 rpm, enough to allow the car to reach a top speed of about 182 km/ h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/ h in around 12 seconds. The transmission was by a Borg-Wauer three-speed automatic box or, for those who preferred a sportier drive, a four-speed manual. The six-cylinder engine offered smooth, progressive running, while retaining the characteristic Jaguar character of the era, combining power and refinement, but with relatively high consumption, around 16 litres per 100 km in mixed driving.
The XJ6C and the Daimler Sovereign Coupé chassis were a shortened version of the saloon’s, reinforced to accommodate the coupé structure and the large pillarless doors. This architecture provided a balance between ride comfort and handling, even though the coupé, stiffer and heavier at the front, retained a moderate roll tendency typical of luxury cars of the 1970s. The cabin, whether Jaguar or Daimler, was luxuriously appointed, with leather seats, a wood dashboard and meticulous finishes, but the Sovereign Coupé stood out with additional decorative elements, thicker carpets and more elaborated upholstery details, asserting its premium positioning.
Produced in limited numbers, the XJ6C and its Daimler Sovereign variants represent a rare example of British luxury coupés from the 1970s. The combination of six-cylinder power, comfort, refined styling and, for the Sovereign, extra prestige, makes them highly sought after by collectors, appreciated for their balance between classic elegance and performance adequate for a grand tourer. These cars perfectly embody the spirit of British luxury of the era, where the subtlety of finishes and the smoothness of the drive took precedence over mechanical exuberance.
In the 1970s, Jaguar produced the XJ-C coupé in Jaguar and Daimler versions, the latter being more luxurious and recognisable by its vertical grille. In the United States, the Daimlers were sold under the Jaguar name, the grey-market papers thus mentioning Jaguar Cars Ltd. This model is a Daimler Sovereign sold new in California, left-hand drive with automatic transmission produced in 1977. It has been fully restored in the United States, and is in very good condition both inside and out, the restoration having been carried out from the chassis. The interior has been re-done with fresh cream-colour leather, while the bodywork has undergone a complete refurbishment.
This Daimler XJ6C was imported to Belgium in 2007 with a kilometres clock converted to kilometres. It has covered 17, 500 km since. It comes with Belgian paperwork and a detailed file tracing all work carried out, illustrating the substantial costs invested in its restoration. The tyres are new, ensuring optimum safety and driving comfort.
