1981 Jaguar XJ-S HE
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Highlights
• A mere 3,751 miles from new
• Lots of paper history
• Immaculate condition
• Highly original – even has original plastic seats covers from the '80s
• Tax and MOT exempt
• Genuine time-warp example seldom seen on the market
The Background
The XJ-S was Jaguar's luxury grand tourer from 1975-1996 and throughout its production run saw several updates and iterations. The first generation of the XJ-S was launched just after the fuel crisis where the market for a big 5.3l V12 had somewhat dried up so after six years and 14,800 units they updated the line up to incorporate more fuel-efficient engines and different body styles.
From 1981 the XJ-S had the new name of XJ-S HE which referenced its now high-efficiency V12 engine. It also came in several different body styles including a two-door coupe, two-door Targa convertible and a two-door convertible version. This second-generation sold a lot better and between 1981-91 they sold 73,000 units which proved how much better this version was.
The History
Let's start with the reason this Jaguar XJ-S is so spectacular - the mileage. Over the course of its long life, this big cat has covered a mere 3,751 miles. An astonishingly low number, and one that surely makes this car stand out amongst its peers. If you're wondering how such a number is possible, it seems the car was used sparingly from 1981 to 1988. Looking through the paperwork, the MOTs then become infrequent, with the car being kept hidden away inside when not in use. The last MOT was in 2005, after which the car was hidden away until recently.
The current owner scooped up the XJ-S a few years back. He knew he was getting something special, but upon collection it was evident that the condition and the incredibly low mileage would preclude him from using the car as he had first intended. So, instead, he assumed the role of custodian rather than driver, and continued to preserve the car and maintain its staggering originality.
This could be one of if not the only Jaguar XJ-S HE on the market with so few miles and in this condition, it has been kept in a garage when not in use due to the quality of the underside of the car. We're told the car is fired up and allowed to run from time to time to ensure everything stays fluid and free, but the car has not been out on the open road for some time. One would argue that at this point, it would be a shame to do so. After all, a car is only original once!
The Paperwork
Even though the car has covered only a fraction of the mileage you would expect one of these to have it does have a lot of paperwork that will come with the car. The paperwork includes the important items like the service book and goes all the way down to a couple of original stickers from the ’80s.
There are also a few original old-style V5s in the original owner's name. The current owner is in the trade, and so has acquired the car on the yellow V5 slip, so as to avoid adding another owner, what with knowing he was always going to try and find the car's 'forever' home. This Jaguar also comes with original MOT certificates ranging from 1984 and running periodically up until 2005 which is the last time the car was properly on the road.
There are also a few recall letters from back in the day but don’t worry because there are also two recall completion certificates with the reference codes JA0385 and JD0184 just to prove that they have been completed. While it might not have been used frequently, it seems the original owner was fastidious about the upkeep of the car.
The new owner will also get a small collection of tax discs that date from 1982-1987 a nice little piece of history that shows how well cared for this XJ-S has been.
The Interior
As you can imagine the interior of this classic Jag is covered in exquisite leather and wooden accents which are in great condition thanks to the low mileage. All of the leather seats are in great condition with no rips, tears or cracks and they have very few signs of use. Everything, and we do mean everything, is original. But more impressively nothing has failed, worn or delaminated over time. This car is a capsule to the past. It even smells like a new Jaguar in there. Remarkable.
The lovely wooden accents that adorn the door panels, heater surrounds and dashboard are also in great condition with no signs of deterioration or sun bleaching. As you can imagine all of the knobs and buttons that operate items like the heated windscreen and hazards lights also show no signs that they have been used let alone any signs of wearing out. While the car has indeed been used sparingly, it has been kept functional. It's not been sat and ignored. The engine has been fired up, the buttons have been pressed, the electrics engaged. The only issue that the new owner will need to sort out is that the passenger door does not want to open. The locking mechanism sounds like it is unlocking/locking the door, but both the exterior and interior door handles will not open the door.
In the boot, you will see that there are no signs of rust or any water ingress. You will also find the factory original tool kit, which is fully complete even down to the same bulbs it left the factory within 1981. There are also two original jacks and even more surprisingly it has the original Henley’s plastic seat covers it left the dealership with all those years ago. Originality like this seldom appears on the open market. Photographing this car was a truly exciting event for us - this XJ-S is as close as you can get to having a brand new one.
The Exterior
As you can tell by looking through the pictures in this listing, this XJ-S is a glorious and unapologetic celebration of past tastes. Though, having said that, shades of metallic brown and bronze are en vouge again today, so it seems the specification of this Jaguar has existed long enough to come full circle. And deservedly so, as it's a treat for the eyes. Especially given just how original and well preserved this particular example is. The body is free of any damage, any corrosion or any real sign of age. While the mileage is low, it has been driven, so it's not quite showroom fresh, but with a deep detail session, it could be. The pain gleams, the factory pinstripes are excellent and the iconic alloy wheels are all in excellent order. This is, make no mistake, a show-winning car in the making.
When we say that this car is 99% original (barring a new battery and a power steering hose) we aren’t joking. The car is even sitting on the same tires that it left the dealership on 40 years ago. Of course, these ideally want renewing if you plan to drive the car. But if not, what a slice of originality they are! And this just backs up how little this car has been used.
It's thanks to the low mileage and the great care taken when in storage that this car is as original and in such good condition as it sits today. The new owner will get a truly stunning looking classic Jaguar that they can just look at for hours on end. This isn't a car that has been forgotten about when not in use. Quite the opposite. It has been stored away care and consideration, it has been cared for and maintained even when idle. It is, as a direct result, a remarkable find.
The Mechanics
Don’t be daunted by the reputation that precedes old British Leyland cars of this age, the car’s massive V12 starts straight up and runs quietly and smoothly. The fuel system has been cleaned out and now means this big cat runs as she should. The only non-original parts on the car are a new battery and a new power steering pipe, everything else is at it should be. It all looks to be in good order, including the cooling system and oil and so on.
The car’s automatic gearbox provides a smooth driving experience. If you pair the big V12 and automatic gearbox together you get a car that will be great to use for both motorway cruising but will also have enough get up and go when you reach a more fun broad. Though we must stress, we were only able to get limited use out of the transmission, as the car isn't on the road as such.
Within the stack of paperwork we can see over the previous 40 years the car has had little mechanical work done to it, this is likely due to the lack of usage it has had. There have been a couple of Jaguar recalls completed a while ago now and the current owner (who runs a garage) has put it through a new service with all the fluids changed, new spark plugs, and a new oil and fuel filter. The car has been run up to temperature, and the vendor assures us there is nothing untoward or otherwise causing issue.
From the dealership, this car was treated with a course of Ziebart rust prevention, and it is thanks to this that when you have a look underneath the car the chassis and other parts of the running gear look as if they’ve just rolled off the production line. The underside of this car is truly amazing to see for a car of this age and propensity to rust. No worries here though, as this car is protected, and has lived most of its life indoors.
The Appeal
The Jaguar XJ-S had the cards stacked against it when it was new. It was tasked with the impossible - replace the E Type. Because of this, the XJ-S was always overshadowed and always compared to its predecessor, and despite being a technically better car, it always fell short. Like any good classic though, the XJ-S has weathered the storm and come full circle. Now, the market and enthusiasts are seeing the XJ-S as the truly wonderful car it always was. Gone are the unfair comparisons to the E Type, instead replaced with admiration and a genuine passion within the classic car world. As such, good examples of the XJ-S are fetching strong money, they are sought after and they are becoming increasingly popular as a result.
We don't have a good example here though. We have a truly exceptional example. This XJ-S is like no other. It celebrates a wonderful specification, it is arguably one of the most original in existence and it has less than 4,000 miles on the clock. This is the best of the best, a true once in a lifetime opportunity. This car and its survival do not make for a commonly heard story. This is unique, in every sense of the word. If you want an XJ-S, one that celebrates how wonderful these cars were, and one that will be the jewel of any vehicle collection, this is it. This, make no mistake, is the one.
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Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1981
- Make Jaguar
- Model XJ-S
- Colour Brown
- Odometer 3,751 Miles
- Engine size 5343
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Goff Oaks
- Location Hertfordshire
- Country United Kingdom
35
bids
- [A•••• £30,750 06/03/22
- n.•••• £30,500 06/03/22
- so•••• £30,000 06/03/22
- da•••• £28,000 06/03/22
- Ri•••• £27,750 06/03/22
- da•••• £27,500 06/03/22
- Ro•••• £26,500 05/03/22
- da•••• £26,000 05/03/22
- Ro•••• £25,000 05/03/22
- [A•••• £24,000 05/03/22
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