On September 26, 1968, Jaguar introduced the XJ, the successor to all previously built Jaguar sedans. This was also the last model significantly designed by the company founder, Sir William Lyons. The British car manufacturer achieved a milestone in design and engineering with its unique combination of luxury and sportiness, whose characteristic lines have been referenced by many subsequent models. At the time of its release, the XJ represented the pinnacle of what was technically achievable in mass production and was repeatedly named Car of the Year. For a long time, the most perfected Jaguar, according to Lyons, lived in the shadow of scene icons like the E-Type, XK, or Mark II. However, the tide is slowly turning, bringing the XJ into the spotlight it deserves.