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Series 3

Production years: 1979 - 1992

By 1977 Jaguar needed to refresh the XJ so for the first time in their history, they went to an outside styling house Pininfarina to re-design the basic structure which entailed new lighting, impact absorbing bumpers, a larger glass area, flush mounted door handles and more changes to the interior – the Series 3 model was born. Produced in all engine sizes, Daimler and Jaguar but now only in long wheelbase form, the Series 3 revitalised sales while Jaguar was working on the design of an entirely new car for its replacement.

The 6-cylinder XJ6 Series 3 remained in production until 1987, the V12 Jaguar until 1991 and the Daimler Double Six until 1992, after which nearly three quarters of a million XJs had been produced.

MODEL SUMMARY

MODEL TYPE

PRODUCTION DATES

ENGINE RANGE:

0 - 60 MPH:

TOP SPEED:

XJ Saloons

1979 - 1992

3.4 Litre Series 3 Saloon

3.4 Litre Series 3 Saloon - 10.9 seconds

3.4 Litre Series 3 Saloon - 117 mph

4.2 Litre Series 3 Saloon

4.2 Litre Series 3 Saloon - 10.5 seconds

4.2 Litre Series 3 Saloon - 128 mph

5.3 Litre Series 3 Saloon

5.3 Litre Series 3 Saloon - 7.8 seconds (note all specs are for pre HE models)

5.3 Litre Series 3 Saloon - 147 mph

Series 3 Technical Specifications

Technical Information

Engine Statistics

3.4 Litre Series 3 Saloon

4.2 Litre Series 3 Saloon

5.3 Litre Series 3 Saloon

Engine (cc)

3442

4235

5343

Bore and Stroke (mm)

83 x 106

97.07 x 106

90 x 70

Compression Ratio

8.8:1

8:1

9:1

BHP

161

200

285

@RPM

5000

5000

5750

Torque (lb ft)

189

236

294

@RPM

3500

2750

3500

Fuellling

2x SU carbs

Fuel-injection

Fuel-injection

Engine Performance

3.4 Litre Series 3 Saloon

4.2 Litre Series 3 Saloon

5.3 Litre Series 3 Saloon

Top Speed

117 mph

128 mph

147 mph

0 - 60 mph

10.9 seconds

10.5 seconds

7.8 seconds (note all specs are for pre HE models)

Fuel Consumption

16.7 mpg

15.7 mpg

13.2 mpg

model Specifications

3.4 Litre Series 3 Saloon

4.2 Litre Series 3 Saloon

5.3 Litre Series 3 Saloon

Transmission

5-speed all synchro

5-speed all synchro BW 3-speed auto

GM 3-speed auto BW 3-speed auto

Wheel Size (in)

15, steel

15, steel Later alloys

15, steel or alloys

Suspension (Front)

Ind semi-trailing wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Ind semi-trailing wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Ind semi-trailing wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Suspension (Rear)

Ind lower wishbones/upper driveshaft link, radius arms, coil springs

Ind lower wishbones/upper driveshaft link, radius arms, coil springs

Ind lower wishbones/upper driveshaft link, radius arms, coil springs

Brakes

4 wheel disc, rear inboard

4 wheel disc, rear inboard

4 wheel disc, rear inboard

Model Dimensions

3.4 Litre Series 3 Saloon

4.2 Litre Series 3 Saloon

5.3 Litre Series 3 Saloon

Length (in)

194.75

194.75

194.75

Width (in)

69.25

69.25

69.25

Height (in)

54

54

54

Wheelbase (in)

112.75

112.75

112.75

Front Track (in)

58

58

58

Rear Track (in)

58.5

58.5

58.5

Weight (Cwt)

34

35.4

36

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

All Models

  • Under-bumper fog/spot lights
  • Halogen headlights
  • Air-conditioning (standard on Vanden Plas from 1975)
  • Rear seat belts (standard on Vanden Plas from 1975)
  • Sundym tinted glass (standard on Vanden Plas and all V12s from 1976 and all models from 1978)
  • Drivers door mirror (standard on Vanden Plas)
  • Mud flaps
  • Witter tow bar

3.4 Litre Series 3 Saloon

  • Heated rear screem
  • Overdrive for manual gearbox
  • Automatic transmission
  • Electrically operated windows
  • Rear seat belts
  • Laminated windscreen
  • Radio and/or radio/cassette system with electric aerial
  • Wing mirrors
  • Front seat headrests
  • Leather upholstery

4.2 Litre Series 3 Saloon

  • Overdrive for manual gearbox
  • Automatic transmission
  • Radio and/or radio/cassette system with electric aerial (standard on Vanden Plas)
  • Kent alloy wheels
  • Whitewalll tyres
  • Rear seat headrests (only on Vanden Plas)
  • Limited-slip differential
  • Cloth upholstery

5.3 Litre Series 3 Saloon

  • Choice of two radio and radio/cassette systems with electric aerial (standard on Vanden Plas and from 1976 on DD6 coupe)
  • Kent alloy wheels
  • Whitewall tyres
  • Limited-slip differential
  • Cloth upholstery

CLUB EVENTS

SHOWS

NEC, Classic Motor Show 2025

  • North Avenue , Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1NT
  • 7th - 9th NOVEMBER 2025

OTHER

JEC Coffee & Cars At The Piston Club

  • The Piston Club
  • 9th August 2025

TRACKSPORT

Silverstone Festival 2025

  • Towcester, Northamptonshire
  • 22 Aug – 24 Aug

CLUB NEWS

  • News Article

Parade cars for Wroxall

MODEL CONTACTS

Keith Parrington

XJ Series Forum Co-ordinator

  • classicxj@jecmodels.org.uk

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Insurance Checklist

Before you get in touch with us please make sure to note down as many of the following details as possible. If you can complete the checklist ahead of time, it’ll make the process of arranging your insurance quick, simple and easy.

 

Personal Details

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Vehicle Details

  • The make, model and year of the vehicle(s).
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Agreed values

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GETTING STARTED

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