An old review in Classic Motoring said this about the XJS.
"(those rear buttresses were body strengtheners to enable an initial mid-engine layout proposal that was dropped)"
I've never read that before. True story or folk lore?
Full article here:
Jaguar XJS - Classic Car Reviews | Classic Motoring Magazine

 

Total BS. They did strengthen the body, and were partly there as an aerodynamic aid, but principally to give a touch of 'Italian' style to the car.

A mid-engine layout was considered at the very early design-sketch stage, but was rejected on interior space, noise, and general practicality grounds. Not to mention cost; the XJS was built on a shortened XJ Saloon platform and 100% XJ Saloon running gear. The body exterior was 100% new, but the company had intended to use common under-body panels, though in the event there were only one or two.common panels (under the rear seat I think).

Greg

 

Slick, ala Ford GT40!! Seems doable.


At one time air cooled 66 & better Corvairs were infused with water cooled BC's in a mid engine format. We had one around here Crudely done, but, quite interesting
The well done ones were quite the car !!


Carl

 

They absolutely did consider a mid-engine layout. There are sketches in a hard-cover book I have in storage. Looked a bit like a mashup between XJS (front) and DeLorean (rear). Not sure when I'll have a chance to dig up the book. Maybe someone here can scan a pic.

 

I think I have that book in a somewhat easy location, I will look. But I agree, Sayer's death and wonderful Leyland nipped it quick I believe. Some of the early mocks in that book were, ahem, not the most stellar designs. That early Ferrari-isk E-Type continuation was neat IIRC.

But I think you and Greg are saying tbe same thing.. ;-)

I have read time after time that the buttress was a hold over from Sayer's mid engine original design, but who knows.

Jeff

 

Yup, the mid-engine design did indeed have the flying buttresses. It was low, angular, flat, & wide. The author of the book described it as sensational. It's an interesting design exercise, and if I had billionaire funds, I would commission one on principle. Hopefully you can dig up the scan!

 

Indeed we are. Those of us who have the Practical Classics XJS special edition an read a very good summary of the whole design and development process on pages 6 to 13, the article entitled "Before the beginning".

Greg

 

I think this is one of early designs being discussed here.


I always understood the butresses were always an aerodynamic and styling tool and had no impact or relation to the engine location. The butresses reduce drag. They are also sometimes and incorrectly described as flying (structure with a gap) bustresses.

 

Sorry, the book is MIA at the moment, but I will find it! I'm surprised the pics are not online in an easy place to be honest, but I have yet to find them..

I'll find it..

Jeff

 

I knew a guy once who put a Chevy 327 in the "back seat" of a Corvaire, making it a mid-engine car. He mounted the radiator in front with electric fans and ran 2 inch copper pipes in the passenger seat area back to the engine, effectively doing away with that seat.

It was not only hot and noisy, but it was HOT and NOISY!! Even with the dog house engine cover he fabricated and insulated it was unlivable at any temperature above ambient freezing.

But it made a Marvelous sound, sort of a passive gurgle, while it never screeched the tires but would merely squat and scoot.
(';')