American Muscle V British Brawn

Jaguar V12 roadtest against Corvette V8 – 80’s icons battle it out.

My Dad once said that ‘the only good reason for getting a new car is because you want one’.

Its even more true with specialist car purchases, the heart takes priority over the head and you convince yourself and/or your better-half that buying something for the weekend, will enrich your life far more than the expensive holiday or new kitchen.

With classic cars its even more illogical as nostalgia kicks in – my Dad/Uncle had one, I always wanted one and couldn’t afford one or your favourite TV superhero drove one.

TV and film do have a lot to do with it, James Hazel had a Triumph Stag, Bond the Aston DB5 and Jason King a Jensen Interceptor (what a name) and we all know that Simon Templar returned driving a white series one V12 XJS Coupe.

 I have always been a Jaguar fan – my Dads buddy had a XJ12 S2 in Sahara sand, another had a V12 S3 e-type in Silver grey but it was watching the return of the saint that drew me in most, so today I have a 1991 XJS V12 and its sublime.

But that doesn’t stop me buying and admiring other cars and one such car of the 80’s that competed with my affection was the Chevrolet Corvette. The Stingray name was another draw – in fact most people would say – Corvette Stingray rather than Chevy Corvette. I had a 1965 Stingray but the focus of this article is the Corvette C4 which was a contemporary to my XJS. I recently restored a 1987 C4 the 4 represents the 4th Incarnation of the Corvette and it was a massive leap forward from the C3 that had been around for a little too long.

So how did it compare with the XJS ?  They are virtually the same age but the XJS was already 10 years old when the Corvette C4 was launched. People ask what the Vette is, its not a car they are familiar with, but most people still know the XJS and its admired now probably more than ever.

Looks are extremely subjective – I love them both, but the purity of the C4’s  concept-car lines make it look less fussy and way more modern looking than the XJS. The Vette has a removable perspex roof that adds an open option, but removing and storing the roof involves spanners and its not a 5 minute job – more like 20 minutes. The Vette has pop-up headlights, 4 large exhaust pipes and a very low and sleek profile.

The XJS wears its trademark headlights and flying buttresses better now – maybe because new cars have become so bland of late – it stands out as different.

The fit and finish of both cars externally is high, the Vette is fibreglass, but it’s not like a Lotus or other contemporary composite car – the shutlines and finish are almost as good as the Jag’s galvanised steel body.

 With  the interior, the Jag has traditional burr walnut facia strips and traditional dials, whilst the Vette is a sea of black plastic and digital instruments.

 The seats are good in both cars, but the Vette’s are super comfortable and multi-adjustable buckets which hold you in all the right places – I would do a long journey in both cars happily, but the Jag would give just a little less lumbar support and there is less bend in the leg, so it just not as good a posture.

Interior quality lets the Vette down, it just cannot compete with its paper thin leather, brittle plastics so-so controls and teddy-fur carpets.

The Jag leaps ahead (scuse the pun) in interior quality with the materials and fit n finish. I suspect there is wilton and Connolly badges on some of this and the switchgear has more a re-assuring feel.

The Vette is a two seater only but has a large glass hatch for luggage – in theory very practical but luggage has to be lifted over the rear apron and the 2+2 configuration of the jaguar with  traditional boot works a lot better.

 So what are they like to drive ?

Climbing in and out the Vette is tough, there is a very high sill that acts as a barrier to leap over and it is not easy especially in car parks whilst you are holding the door from hitting adjacent cars.

Starting up the 5.7 litre V8 is very dramatic, the sound is intoxicating, the burble at tickover is noisy but this noise is compelling. As you engage drive and pull away, you immediately feel the different character of the car, it creaks a little and the ride is set up for handling not comfort. Town driving with potholes and speedbumps can be a little tiresome, more for the passenger as the driver has other things on his mind. Stab the throttle and the Vette takes off like a scolded cat and on the motorway its happiest cruising at high speed and overtaking is easy and enjoyable. The car has power steering, cruise, electric windows, seats, aerial etc and all this compares well with the Jag.

The Vette is all theatre and a for weekend away in Scotland it would be a nice option.

Climbing into the Jag is far easier – yes its low but the sill is low too, so its easy. The long doors are still tricky in car parks, but again the low sill compared to the Vette helps.

Starting the V12 has no drama at all. Its virtually silent and so smooth, no burble or vibration at all. Pulling away in the Jag after driving the Vette makes you realise just how much more sophisticated the ride and powertrain are. The magic carpet may be an over-used analogy and you do feel some of the bigger potholes but there is so much more compliance than ]the Vette and most other modern cars actually. The Jag is as happy around town and country roads as it is on the motorway, so journeys are far less tiresome.

My XJS is a Japanese import which has a lot of catalytic converter stuff going on and it may be less powerful than UK versions, so pulling away doesn’t feel as quick as the Vette. It drops a cog or two when you are overtaking but never feels overly powerful. The V12 just has a turbine like whine at high speed and at lower speeds it doesn’t speak at all.

On that weekend trip to Scotland – the Jag would probably be less fun but a lot more relaxing.

So which is best ? They are about the same price today, they do a similar job, but they do it in a completely different way.

The Jag is classy and the Vette less so – I like them both but if my wife is a good litmus test, she didn’t enjoy being in the Vette but perfectly happy wafting along in the XJS. Its nice to have room for a grand tourer and a sportscar – but if you had to choose – (which I did) it’s the Jag every time.

Pete Welsh

Petrolhead club

https://www.petrolheadclub.co.uk