XJ: Building the Legend is a Blast From Jaguar’s Past

By John Coyle - October 21, 2022

This Jaguar promotion video will be a treat for fans of the classic XJ, though any fan will appreciate time capsule.

Right now, we’re currently waiting to get a look at the vehicles which will usher in Jaguar’s future, and processing the fact that the F-Type 75 will be the marque’s last gas-powered sports car. So since the future is — as Joe Strummer famously observed — unwritten, that makes it a perfect time to celebrate the legendary brand’s past. And this peek inside the factory with this 20-minute-long promotion video is a particular treat for fans of the classic XJ saloon.

While much is made about the use of computers, electronics, and even — somewhat curiously — “artificial intelligence,” what’s most striking about the clip is just how old-world the process of building these cars looks. As an unapologetically sentimental person, I’m not afraid to say I find it all a bit romantic.

At this point, Ford’s purchase of Ford — and the modernization the Blue Oval instituted — was still 15 years away, and it’s cool to see the artisans working in the upholstery division, cutting and stitching leather by hand. Personally, as someone who has whiled away countless hours thinking about building my perfect Jaguar restomod, it’s super cool to see the iconic XJ as a body in white. For the record, I’m still undecided on what color I would go for, if I had the opportunity to pick.

Watching this video also made me realize that while I’ve been a fan of Jaguar since I was a child, and have attended car shows as part of my job for over 15 years, I’ve still never seen a Daimler limousine in person. And while I happen to think the styling — particularly at the boot — is kind of frumpy, I’d really love to check one out. That said, for anyone grappling with the end of Jaguar as we know it, the soothing narration and ancient resolution should prove just what the doctor ordered.

Photos: YouTube