1976 Jaguar Touch Up Paint (9 OEM Colors)

The 1976 Jaguar Vibe

Welcome to 1976, the year Jaguar was trying to keep its cool while the world went a little bit "safari disco." While the legendary E-Type had finally exited stage left, the XJ-S was the new kid on the block, and the XJ6 Series II was holding down the fort as the world's most graceful sedan. Our database shows a respectable spread of 9 colors for this year, and they are pure 1970s class. You've got your "Sovereign" staples like British Racing Green and Regency Red, but you also have the quintessential earth tones of the era: Fern Gray and Green Sand. If your Jag is painted in Green Sand, you aren't just driving a car; you're driving a mood ring for the British Leyland era.

Paint Health Check

Now, let's get real about what's on that metal. We are firmly in the Single Stage Era. Back then, they didn't hide the color under a plastic-looking clear coat; the color was the finish. This means that after nearly fifty years, your Signal Red or Dark Blue has likely developed a case of the "chalkies." That's oxidation, kid. The sun eats the oils in the paint, leaving behind a dry, powdery film that makes your prize cat look like a dusty old eraser. This paint is thick and honest, but it's also porous. If it's been sitting in the sun, it's not just faded-it's thirsty.

Restoration Tip

If you're looking at a finish that's gone matte, don't panic and reach for the sandpaper yet. Because this is single stage, there is often enough "meat" on the bone to bring it back to life. You want to use a high-quality rubbing compound to gently shave off that oxidized top layer and reveal the fresh pigment underneath. But here is the golden rule for 1976: It needs wax or it dies. Once you've polished it, that paint is wide open to the elements. You have to seal it with a heavy carnauba wax or a modern sealant immediately to keep the oxygen out. Treat it like a fine leather jacket-keep it fed, keep it protected, and it'll outlast the both of us.