1986 Jaguar Xj6 Base Sedan 4-door 4.2l on 2040-cars

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Jaguar re-releases the toolkit the E-Type came with when it was new

Finding a complete, original toolkit is a rare treat for vintage car collectors. Jaguar's Classic division has its finger on the hobby's pulse, so it launched a reproduction of the toolkit placed in every new E-Type between 1961 and 1971. It lets owners put the final, factory-correct touch on their restoration. The British firm rummaged through its archives to find the toolkit's engineering records in order to make it to the exact same specifications as the original. The list of tools included in the bundle includes pliers, a three-piece screwdriver, a screwdriver used to adjust the ignition points, a feeler gauge, a grease gun, a valve timing gun, and an assortment of wrenches. They're all Jaguar-branded, and they come in a leatherette pouch that's just like the one buyers got when they purchased a new E-Type. It fits neatly in a corner of the E's trunk; the only thing missing is a rag to wipe your hands with when you're done wrenching. Jaguar doesn't offer one -- yet. Jaguar noted that only Series I and Series II variants of the E-Type came with the toolkit, and it went out of production nearly 50 years ago. This is a classic British car we're talking about, so you can safely bet the cost of a full, in-house restoration that the tools saw plenty of use. They inevitably ended up in mix-and-match toolboxes over the years. Sourcing a complete kit in good condition is consequently difficult, and expensive; some trade hands for nearly $6,500. Available online from Jaguar - Land Rover's classic shop, the reproduction is priced at 732 British pounds (about $950), so it's a bargain in comparison. Still, we wouldn't blame owners who decide to keep the toolkit for decorative purposes, and use much cheaper tools when wrenching gets serious.

2021 Jaguar F-Type is getting a major facelift

Having entered its seventh model year with only minor changes, it's no surprise that Jaguar is working on a more significant update of its F-Type sports car. Based on the spy photos of what is likely to be the 2021 Jaguar F-Type, it's getting a serious nose job. But interestingly, it also still appears to be closely related to the current model. Up front, the major change is in the headlight design. Instead of the vertical, swept-back units of the current car, the new one has low, horizontal lights. The lights are actually much more similar to Jaguar's more practical offerings such as the XE, XJ and F-Pace. The lights also have sharper angles that blend into cut lines and creases in the front end. The main grille doesn't look particularly different, but it will clearly be flanked by redesigned outboard grilles based on how well they're covered. The whole midsection seems to be carried over from the current model. This seems to kill the rumor that there would be a 2+2 F-Type. The tail end is pretty much the same, too, but the taillights lose the little round extensions inspired by the Jaguar E-Type. The wide-set tailpipes and big diffuser are like the V8-powered R model, so we expect that's what we're looking at. Since this F-Type looks to be mostly a styling overhaul, we expect most of the current powertrain lineup will transfer, too. That means a turbocharged four-cylinder for the entry-level models and a V8 for the top-rung cars. In the middle, though, the supercharged V6 may disappear in favor of Jaguar-Land Rover's new turbocharged inline-6. This seems plausible since Jaguar has already phased out the V6 on the XE, and the inline-6 is derived from the four-cylinder already in use, so it should fit relatively easily. Power should be right on par with the current car's 380-horsepower V6. In new Land Rovers, it makes between 355 and 396 horsepower depending on which version you get. We also assume all engines will still be coupled to an eight-speed automatic with no manual options in sight.

Jaguar Land Rover rescues British off-road tuner Bowler

Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicles Operation (SVO) rescued British off-road tuner Bowler from an uncertain fate. The firm has worked with Land Rover in the past, but it has always been independent. While JLR isn't in an ideal position to make acquisitions, and its recent financial troubles are well documented, Bowler was on the brink of shutting down. The small, 34-year old company had entered administration, and the 26 people it employed risked losing their jobs. Monetary details haven't been released, meaning we don't know how much Bowler was worth, but the firm pointed out it's now fully owned by SVO. It joins SV, Vehicle Personalization, and Classic as the division's fourth pillar. It's too early to tell precisely where Bowler will fit in the JLR latticework, because the initial focus will be on stabilizing the company. It will remain based in Belper, England, and every member of its full-time staff has been offered a position as a JLR employee. Bowler made a name for itself by turning the original Defender into a rally car, and Land Rover said the expertise it acquired during decades of racing is highly sought after, so that's a hint we'll see more hardcore models developed jointly by the two companies sooner or later. The new Defender would lend itself well to the Bowler treatment. The Bowler name could replace the SVX nameplate used on the stillborn, V8-powered Discovery, for example. The tuner's focus on off-pavement performance means we're unlikely to see a Bowler-badged Jaguar, but anything is possible as global demand for SUVs (especially quick ones) continues to rise. What's certain is that, once Bowler is stable, it will grow bigger.