remember the old 'Jag rear end......'

jphanna · 13-01-2020, 10:27 AM

The old ‘had a JAG rear end installed’…..how many times did you hear that in the 70’s and 80s’?

Well, yesterday we has the pleasure of riding on of Adelaide hills favoured mbike/sports car/muscle car roads to Strathalbyn. Got everything you want in a decent cruise, except ocean views.

Only problem is with these roads is the double white lines so if you are stuck behind farmer Joe and his smoky ute, then you have to bite your time until you can pass, legally. You can pick the cars that will be traveling 15kms UNDER the limit and brake at every corner. Anyway…..as me and my son were cruising along at the posted speed limits.

So…….we got a mid 60’s Jag (appeared unmodified) in front of us. I thought this is going to be a classic car guy who will be nursing it all the way home. was already in my mind looking for a place to pass before we reached him. the road from strath to Stirling is A grade hills roads, hairpins, tight corners, sweepers, hills. This guy was on it. sitting above all the limits by about 10 kms and no braking at any stage except once……just once I saw the tail lights come on. The car just sat like GLUE on the road, no leaning, no lurching, if a 64 Holden or falcon was doing what he was doing, it would have run into a tree for sure.

Normally I would have expected a bit of smoke from and old Jag, but none was evident although a bit started coming out as he slowed for a county town we drove through. I did catch a glimpse of the guy. Probably 65 or so and still enjoying his driving. Good to see.

roKWiz · 13-01-2020, 11:32 AM

When he lifted off the gas the SU's if not quite matched on throttle would overfuel a little producing some smoke. love the SU.

The jag IRS was a well thought out suspension back in the day and why so many modified cars used them.
Probably why back in Blighty in the 60s the Mark 2 jaguar was popular with the flying squads and major crimes units.

Citroënbender · 13-01-2020, 11:46 AM

I saw similar a few months back, stock looking MkII having a red-hot bat on Lower Portland Rd. Gave him the thumbs-up, got a wave in return. As much fun as watching a well-ridden classic bike weave off into the distance.

roKWiz · 13-01-2020, 11:49 AM

and sound just as good.

sr71 · 13-01-2020, 12:05 PM

The Jag rear end looked like a simple install too. I remember one sitting on a workshop floor, with components/suspension all tied into a metal (boxed) frame.
I've wondered if the FG rear ends could be 'boxed' up, and bolted to a ute frame/chassis.

I did my first donut in a Jag.

**GasoLane** · 13-01-2020, 12:35 PM

I used to chuckle at young blokes at Tyre shops, they'd pull a rear wheel off and exclaim "there's no brakes!".

For the uninitiated they had inboard brakes

jpd80 · 13-01-2020, 12:51 PM

I got schooled by an XJS on the putty road bends years ago, never forgot it.

**Raptor** · 13-01-2020, 01:25 PM

Elegant but sophisticated design, beautiful to look at (once unboxed and prettied up)

What's not to love about the Jag rear-end

Especially once placed under a Hot Rod pick-up like this which show's it off perfectly.

roKWiz · 13-01-2020, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasoLane

I used to chuckle at young blokes at Tyre shops, they'd pull a rear wheel off and exclaim "there's no brakes!".

For the uninitiated they had inboard brakes

Lots of modded holden panel vans had them, was a simple bolt up under the full chassis of the van and ute.

The famous Alley Cat van had a full Jaguar drivetrain in it including the V12 and 4, 2in SU's.
New owner of her is currently in the restoration process.

Sprintey · 13-01-2020, 01:28 PM

Love the Jags. Grandad would putter his mustard yellow, black vinyl roof XJ6 to the pub in his later years (80s). Dad (early 40's) was not allowed to drive it! Me as a 10 year old, very impressionable.

It remains to be said that if you want the spirit of a Falcon today, look to the XE and XF, especially when they get inline 6's again.

Here's a Jag going faster, love this clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9I7GWllPFY

**GasoLane** · 13-01-2020, 01:45 PM

As I was an Interstate Driver when speed limiters first came in I thought I'd get one made up for the car

roKWiz · 13-01-2020, 01:50 PM

Did you have the optional tacho graph fitted GasoLane

Citroënbender · 13-01-2020, 01:57 PM

With the “skunk works” modified internal gears?

**GasoLane** · 13-01-2020, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

With the “skunk works” modified internal gears?

Nup, just a 'spare' key and a little piece of sponge for the needle.

roKWiz · 13-01-2020, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Nup, just a 'spare' key and a little piece of sponge for the needle.

At least I still have the key.

Citroënbender · 13-01-2020, 03:44 PM

I skim-watched some YT from “Go Fast Garage” or something where they hacked up an Effie chassis to fit an S550 rear cradle.

At risk of sounding like Mo McCaughey’s perpetually outraged publicity stooge, I recommend people have a look themselves... Consolation is knowing one more way not to do it!

ozpacman · 13-01-2020, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Here's a Jag going faster, love this clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9I7GWllPFY

I had the pleasure of being on the mountain and watching the Jags in 1985. They were amazing - I'll never forget the sound!

jphanna · 13-01-2020, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozpacman

I had the pleasure of being on the mountain and watching the Jags in 1985. They were amazing - I'll never forget the sound!

that was my first bathurst trip. yep.....that sound.

when i got back home to watch the replay on VHS(which i prior arranged to be done) , Moffat was commentating at one stage. he was watching the tacho and made a note that they are not even pushing hard as tacho not even close to the redline

Bonn · 13-01-2020, 04:44 PM

Rebuilt my XJS rear end 12 months ago, swapped out the 2.88 gears for 3.54. Love it!

Bossxr8 · 14-01-2020, 02:52 PM

Being a Jag the brake lights probably only work one in 20 times

Bonn · 15-01-2020, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Being a Jag the brake lights probably only work one in 20 times

Shhhhhhhhh!!!

Fev · 15-01-2020, 12:59 PM

I have to say thats one of my favourite experiences of driving - coming across some awesome blacktop and you've got a pal in something worth driving ahead or behind you joining you for some fun, pushing each other just a little and when the road is over and with a wave or a knowing nod you never see each other again - but you've both just enjoyed something together you'll think about for the rest of the week and may not ever forget.

Sprintey · 15-01-2020, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphanna

that was my first bathurst trip. yep.....that sound.

when i got back home to watch the replay on VHS(which i prior arranged to be done) , Moffat was commentating at one stage. he was watching the tacho and made a note that they are not even pushing hard as tacho not even close to the redline

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozpacman

I had the pleasure of being on the mountain and watching the Jags in 1985. They were amazing - I'll never forget the sound!

Epic! What a sight it would have been!

roKWiz · 16-01-2020, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Love the Jags. Grandad would putter his mustard yellow, black vinyl roof XJ6 to the pub in his later years (80s). Dad (early 40's) was not allowed to drive it! Me as a 10 year old, very impressionable.

It remains to be said that if you want the spirit of a Falcon today, look to the XE and XF, especially when they get inline 6's again.

Here's a Jag going faster, love this clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9I7GWllPFY

I can remember the Walkinshaw Jags were a little out of their depth at Amaroo when they first started racing. it was a big heavy car which wasn't really suited to the smaller circuits. Bathurst was where it found its legs.