Jaguar/Daimler XJ6, XJ12 & Sovereign: The Essential Buyer’s Guide

Australian Classic Cars, April 2008

Review by Patrick Quinn

Australian magazine
Circulation: unknown

If you are on the lookout for a specific classic car, you can find yourself bewildered by the amount of information available. For some marques, there are books galore to read and also the advice that members of clubs happily provide. It can be confusing and sometimes it’s useful to have a reference source that cuts to the chase. That’s why I like this smaller format ‘Essential Buyer’s Guides’ from Veloce.

This month I had a close look at two new editions and, as a past owner, I was especially interested in the XJ6 guide. Each follows a similar format containing information on what it’s like to live with the model in question, values, differing models and using the car in modern times. Each book divides the crucial inspection into two. First, the 15-minute evaluation that tells you whether to investigate further or to just walk away and second, a lengthy and thorough inspection in which you go over everything. It’s clear that I bought my XJ6 with my heart and not my head. Each book then moves on to how you should buy the car, whether to restore or not, problems from lack of use and finally where to find parts and what clubs to join. Very useful little books, they make essential buying for owners, would be or otherwise.

The Automobile, February 2008

Another in Veloce’s useful ‘Essential Buyer’s Guide’ series, this covers all Jaguar, Daimler and Daimler Vanden Plas models of Series 1, 2 and 3 over the period 1968-1992. None of the models look dated, even now, and they can still provide comfortable modern transport, even if they are a little thirstier than newer cars. The guide takes you through all aspects from first thoughts to a look at any restoration that might lie ahead. The cover price will only be a very small proportion of what you are paying, so the booklet is a good investment.

A medical writer by profession, Peter Crespin has written seven books about Jaguars and contributed articles to various car and motorcycle magazines over the last three decades. He’s a year-round motorcyclist and ex-racer when he’s not driving his supercharged Daimler or E-type convertible around the UK and Europe. A committed do-it-yourself fan, Peter has restored dozens of classic bikes and worked on more than fifteen Jaguars. Trained to IAM standard for both cars and motorcycles, he was a contributor and cartoonist for British Bike Mechanics/British Bike Magazine.