Reversing Camera

The XJS is a long car, so I decided a reversing camera could be a good idea, especially as my neck muscles now strain at an owl-like turn.

There are two options: a Wi-Fi camera that transmits to a monitor, or a Wi-Fi camera that transmits directly to a mobile phone. When I fitted mine, the phone option was not readily available, so I used a small camera and monitor system.

I placed the camera just above the registration plate and wired it into one of the reversing light power supplies. That way, it only becomes live when reverse gear is selected.

The monitor draws power from the cigarette lighter supply under the centre console, which keeps the wiring tidy. As the monitor does not need to be powered all the time, I fitted a simple on/off switch on the ski slope.

If choosing this type of system, I would recommend selecting a small camera and a monitor without an extending antenna, as anything bulky can look out of place in the XJS interior.

In use, it is simple: switch on the monitor, select reverse, and the view behind the
car is available when needed.

Dog Platform

I also wanted to protect the leather seats when my dog travels with us, so I made a removable platform to sit over the rear seat area.

I started by cutting a cardboard template to the shape required, then transferred that shape onto plywood. Once the board was cut, I edged it with foam pipe insulation to soften the corners and help prevent the covering material from wearing through.

I then covered the whole platform in a strong, heavy-duty material. It is worth choosing
something robust, as it needs to cope with claws, movement and regular use.

On my car the platform sits over the rear seats. If you have the box-style rear section rather than this arrangement, I would not remove the chrome handles. Instead, I would fit small blocks underneath the platform to raise it slightly. Simple rubber door stops would probably do the job and allow the board to clear the handles.

I also used the same material on the centre armrest, as my dog likes to lie forward between the seats. It is a simple improvement, but it makes the car much more practical while helping to protect the interior.