Rare Pre-Production Jaguar XJ6 Series 2 (RBB 970M) Restoration Story

Jaguar XJ6 Series 2

Jim Scott tells us the story of his rare pre-production XJ6 Series 2 saloon: RBB 970M.

This Jaguar is rare because:

1. It is a Series 2 short wheelbase four-door saloon, a model available from launch in September 1973 but withdrawn in late 1974 when the long wheelbase version became standard. (Short wheelbase: 2762mm/108.75"; long wheelbase: 2864mm/112.75".) The LWB version gave an extra four inches of legroom in the rear passenger compartment. Very few SWB saloons were built.

2. Unlike the vast majority of Jaguar XJ saloons, which have automatic gearboxes, RBB 970M has a four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive.

3. It is a pre-production model manufactured on 1 August 1973 (confirmed by Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Ltd), prior to the introduction of the Series 2 at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 13 September 1973. RBB 970M was originally registered by the Rover-Triumph-Jaguar main dealer Rossleigh of Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 17 October 1973.

BODYWORK RESTORATION AT GATESHEAD COLLEGE

The car is particularly unusual in that it has Series 2 exterior bodywork and interior, but most mechanical features are pure Series 1. For example, the 4.2-litre engine is completely devoid of power-sapping emission control equipment, and the front brakes have three-piston callipers.

I acquired the car in June 1999 (so I've owned it for more than twenty-one years). It had lain forlorn and forgotten at the back of a large domestic garage in an affluent Newcastle suburb for the preceding twenty years. The last time it had been used on UK roads was 19 November 1980. A yellowed copy of The Guardian newspaper lay on the rear seat. The MoT roadworthiness certificate had expired on 25 October 1980.

The old Jaguar didn't run and was rotten in all the usual places. Over the next few years, a huge amount of restoration work was undertaken. The bodywork was completed with the tutorial expertise, excellent facilities and manual assistance of course colleagues at Gateshead College, near Newcastle. Many panels were replaced, including the front wings, sills, rear panel, fuel tanks and tank covers, and all suspect metal was renewed.

REMOVAL OF READ AXLE UNIT FOR REFURBISHMENT

The original body colour was the drab 'Sable', which I tried hard to like, but good taste prevailed and the car was refinished in the lovely period colour 'Regency Red'.

The front and rear suspension and brakes were refurbished, the fuel system rebuilt, the electrical system restored, much of the chrome was re-plated, and the interior retrimmed, along with the usual mechanical repairs.

JIM SCOTT (SUNDERLAND), OWNER OF RBB 970M

However, I was then seduced by other Jaguars, Alfa Romeos and grossly underrated Opel Mantas, so RBB 970M received little attention.

Over 2015/2016, I disposed of the other Jaguars and concentrated once more upon RBB 970M with an extensive engine overhaul, which included new pistons, a rebuilt cylinder head and replacement carburettors. Various other jobs, such as the headlining, some paintwork, brakes and suspension, brought the Jaguar once again up to standard.

INTERIOR – CINNAMON LEATHER

MoT tested in August 2016, the car's first outing in nearly thirty-six years was to the Nostalgia Weekend at the Croft motor racing circuit. Since then, we have attended a great many classic car events throughout north-east England, raising funds for the courageous volunteer crews of the RNLI lifeboats.