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LETTER OF THE MONTH
S-TYPE camaraderie
Another year, another MoT and glad to say, another pass. So on we go with our 20 year old S-TYPE. Which is a poor excuse for now dropping you a line. I have noticed recently that whenever we are out and about and another S-TYPE comes the other way more often than not they give a wave or a quick flash of the lights. It’s a nice gesture and I have begun to do likewise (not that I get to do it very often - where have they all gone?).
Other Jaguars pass us by without so much as a glance. Which led me to wondering, do F-TYPEs wave to each other and I-PACEs exchange knowing looks or are we alone in recognising we are a diminishing breed?
Get stuck in
Like I suspect many Jaguar World readers, I used to fix my own cars back when I was an impecunious new driver but I’ll admit I haven’t got my hands dirty under the bonnet in several decades.
During the pandemic though and with my local specialist closing his doors I decided to tackle a few of the little niggles on my XJS myself and you know what? I found it really satisfying and I’ve carried on with it.
With the cost of living dominating the news right now, I’d recommend other once mechanically-savvy owners out there to rediscover those longlost skills and have a go. You’ll save money and gain a sense of satisfaction too. And with modern tools and equipment everything’s so much easier... especially the electric oil drain pump I’ve just treated myself to. No more mopping up black oil from the garage floor!
Shadow Spirit
I read with interest your XJ12 versus Silver Shadow comparison last month, since over the years I’ve been fortunate to have owned both cars. I’d agree with the verdict of your writer in the feature, but for any readers contemplating the Rolls-Royce, might I suggest they sample the Shadow 2 before making their decision?
The plastic-faced bumpers and Mk1 Golf GTI-style chin spoiler might not be very R-R but the technical upgrades made a big difference to the way the car drives: suspension revisions and rack-and-pinion steering transformed it into much more of a driver’s car.
Ultimately I replaced my Shadow with the Silver Spirit-based Bentley Turbo R, but when I started to find the car’s great bulk an inconvenience I ‘downsized’ to my current Daimler Super V8 and can thoroughly recommend this rare car as a kind of under-the-radar XJR. It’s also faster, more refined and better on fuel than both the Bentley and the Rolls-Royce.
The Coventry
