Series 3 Year/Model Identification

Jaguar Series 3: Model/Year Identification Created and Copyrighted BY: $teve

BEFORE WE START...
OK! It took me a while to figure out just HOW to set up this page in a logical manner! THUS, I have proposed this NEW idea that groups everything by a certain aspect of the Jag, e.g. - "wheels, emblems, interior, lights, etc." Hopefully you will find it helpful and enjoyable! CHEERS!

Year Guide -

WHEELS:

1979-1980: {First TWO Years of Series 3 Production}
For the first Series 3 Jags, the standard wheel looks like this:

A little INFO... These hubcaps were a new type of integrated stainless steel trim with a matt black finish; the wheels nuts were now also polished. The center of the wheel contained the Jaguar "growler" face on a black background.

1981-1987: {1981 to the end of the Series 3 production (US)}
In 1981, the standard wheel design was a NEW "alloy starfish" look (which I happen to LOVE!).

A little INFO... These hubcaps were a totally new design (as one can see). I personally love the design. These new wheels were Kent alloy wheels and were standard on US Series 3 models. The wheels still contained the Jaguar "growler" face in the center with a 5 lug-nut surrounding.

EURO STYLE WHEELS:

STYLE 1:
These "pepperpotted" alloy wheels were introduced for the Jaguar Series III, standard on the Jaguar Sovereign model (European model).

A little INFO... As I said, these "pepperpotted" wheels were standard on European Series 3 Jaguar models (a.k.a. - SOVEREIGN). Again, the Jaguar "growler" was continued throughout production on the wheel.

STYLE 2:
Another style of EURO style wheels were these:

A little INFO... This other style of EUROPEAN Series 3 wheel I have only seen on ONE OTHER CAR. That car was a 1985 Jaguar Vanden Plas Euro-Edition. That is where I got the picture from. The wheel is a very interesting design; the ventilated chromed wheels with chrome hub caps.

**WIRE WHEELS were never an option with Series 3 Jags, and owners were heavily discouraged from putting them on. However, many present day owners have put Jaguar Wire Wheels onto their Series 3. I think the wheels themselves are nice but take away from the beauty of the body.**

DASH:

1979-1982:
The dashboard of the early Series 3 Jags is NOTHING in comparison to the luxury and richness that the later (86/87) Series 3 provided.

Picture of a 1982 Jaguar XJ6's Dashboard.
A little INFO... Jaguar installed a clock on the center dashboard along with a "chromed-style" background.

1983-1985:
The dashboard of the "mid-Series 3" cars was a great improvement. As seen from this photo (taken from the 1983 Jaguar brochure), a new trip computer was added, as well as more burled wood, and Jaguar "cleaned up" the facia to make it nicer to look at. The photo is from a 1983 Jaguar Vanden Plas (therefore the wood is MUCH more burled and elegant looking).

1986-1987: {THE WONDER YEARS!}
The dashboard of these final Series 3 cars was just ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! The trip computer remained but more wood was added to the "center console" near the gear shifter. Again, the photo I have is from a Vanden Plas, a 1987 Jaguar Vanden Plas Series 3. Therefore, the wood is very, VERY beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. I hope you enjoy this photo as much as I do!

LETTERING:

OK! The titling MIGHT be a little confusing :>, but trust me, it isn't. When I say "LETTERING" I mean the DECALS on the back of the Jag that tell the model & "Jaguar" sign.

NOW, the Series 3 Jaguar had TWO different FONTS which they used:
The INFO. is RIGHT on the photo!

1979-1985:

1986-1987:

PAINT:

JUST A QUICK BIT OF INFO...

The 1979-1985 Jags had HORRIBLE paint! Jaguar just did NOT do a good job putting the paint on...as well as the paint was not good to begin with. A lot of times (which I have seen personally on other Jags), the paint starts "cracking" or "checking".
Jaguar FINALLY brought a GOOD paint line to the factory in 1986 and continued this till 1987.
Therefore, the 1986/87 Jags have the BEST paint!

Click HERE to MOVE ONTO the: "Model Guide"