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Very interested in owning one of these beautiful cars. I see some from time to time, but asking prices are 30k or higher. Preferably one in decent condition and minimal cosmetic blemishes/rust on exterior. Where can I find one for sale?
Unfortunately, very few of these cars were made, about 11,000, straight six and V12 combined total, and a lot have gone for scrap due to body corrosion and so on. This means there are not a lot around, so it could take some time before one comes up that is suitable. Prices for good cars have risen due to this rareness, but you have to make sure you're not buying one that the owner purports is better than it actually is. Body corrosion is the worst aspect, especially in the sill area where the rear doors would be for the saloon.
These are all over rare, especially the V12 models. Breaks my heart, as scarce as these are, to hear of so many getting LS swaps. I'm sure performance would great but I love the sounds of the Jag L6 and V12.
I have been looking lately and spotted a couple interesting XJ6C examples on Hemmings. Very interestingly restomodded one in Massechucets that would be a possibility except that it's a 1976. As I am in California, I would play it safer with a 1975 (last years smog exempt here). The other actually is a '75, located at a consignment dealer in Las Vegas.
I inquired and was told that the actual owner lives in Washington (Kings County, where I was born) and is the original owner. A rarity, if true! Has close to $100K miles but appears pretty well kept. Asking price is $19,500. Driver's seat getting a bit ratty and dash needs refinishing, etc. Chocolate brown over tan.
Anyone here familiar with this car? Or with the seller (Gateway Classic Cars)?
Yes, I had Gateway Classics sell my 1972 Cadillac at their Indianapolis location. They have about a dozen locations. The facility at Indy was a huge spotless air conditioned warehouse packed with gorgeous cars. From a seller's perspective they are great. Drop it off, tell them how much you want to clear and they take it from there. When they sell it, you bring the title over and they hand you a check.
On the buyer's side they are definitely open to negotiating price. It's like real estate, they take the offer back to the seller and try to close the deal. But now the down side. They will allow a pre-purchase inspection only after they have verified that you are a qualified and serious buyer (Good for the seller but not for lookers). A beef I have with them is most cars they list just have cut and paste Wikipedia history. Look up a model you are familiar with and you'll see what I mean. Look at the XJ6s with 6 cylinder engines and every single one says they have 24 valve engines. And one apparently has a 5-speed automatic! So along the line someone guessed how many valves and since then they are all copying the same mistake. They don't know the history of the car; pretty much like a live auction. So if you know what you are doing, get a pre-purchase inspection, and negotiate a fair price you are good. They are professional and trustworthy. Just my 2 cents.
Sorry for the small diversion, but has anyone heard of Cars of Distinction in Canoga Park, CA.? I have a metallic sticker in my car, could be 15-20 years old according to other documents I have. Just wondering.
Hi,
Saw this coupe on Copart up for auction in CA. Does have a "make a offer" option since the min seems pretty high.
Also looks like you might have to have a dealer license but just wanted to give you a heads up.
My advice / warning = before bidding on anything at any of the Copart / insurance auctions, make sure to inspect the vehicle closely !
Thanks for the links. The one in the UK does have a V12 but oh, boy, don't they know it! Regarding the red one in California, there's also this one for a lot less money:
Hey,
Ive just finished a 18month hunt for one in Australia. I checked facebook marketplace most weeks and dodgier classifieds, car websites usually only had nice examples above my price range. I was so excited to find one i think i overpaid by a 10-20%, so do something to manage that. its hard to put in so much time and walk away.
Nothing wrong with overpaying for something you like. If you are buying it as an investment, that is one thing. If buying it as a hobby, that's something else entirely. When people give me a hard time about how much I send on cars I ask them how it compares to buying a boat.
Yes, Coventrywood, I noticed that and also see it reflected to an extent in the asking price. Even if it were in a color I liked, I wouldn't touch it. If the seller really wants to sell it, he needs to recommission and sort it.
Another XJ6C has shown up on Hemmings as an unfinished (some assembly required) project, with a lofty ask of $40K. Yikes! It is in California, has some tasty restomod changes, and is a smog-exempt 1975. However, the colors of paint and interior, as well as the pricey and unneeded custom wheels, would scare me off, even if the overall asking price didn't.
For a number of years, motoring enthusiasts succeeded in getting California to allow cars 30 model years old to be made exempt from emissions control regs. A year model was added on each year, as another became 30 years old. Didn't last very long before other interests fought to stop it so it ended with the 1975 model year, just in time to exempt the first year model XJCs. From the web:1975 & Older Exempt - Under the old smog laws, 1975 and subsequent model year vehicles became exempt from Smog Check when they turned 30 years old (30-year rolling exemption). A 1976 model year vehicle was exempt in 2005, a 1977 in 2006, etc.
As of April 1, 2005, exempt from smog check requirements are any motor vehicle manufactured prior to the 1976 model year. All vehicles 1976 and newer vehicles will be tested according to state emission law. This law repeals the 30-year rolling exemption. I do wish it had stayed in place a few more years, at least long enough to exempt all the XJC models.
So... my '75 Coupe came with all the emission control do-dads and I took it all off (as you can see from the pics). MUCH cleaner engine compartment. I don't have to worry about emission testing as I live in Florida. However... IF I ever go to sell the car, is CA still a market for me, given what you just outlined above? I think yes.
10-22-2019, 01:24 AM
150FHC
