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Winning bid
£16,750

1989 Jaguar XJ-S 5.3 V12

Highlights

  • Only 51,300 miles from new! 
  • Many old MOTs
  • Lovingly maintained
  • Wonderful condition throughout

The Appeal

Often described as one of the most beautiful cars ever produced, this stunning XJ-S really lives up to that reputation. It is finished in the most vibrant of reds and with a gorgeous contrasting pale ivory interior. 

It has been cherished throughout its 33-year life, and it shows. Having covered a mere 51,000 miles from new, this V12 leviathan has many more years and many, many more miles still to offer. There’s an excellent history that accompanies the car that will further instil confidence in the quality of this beautiful and exceptional Jaguar

The History and Paperwork

  • Copious amount of MOT certificates
  • Maintenance and invoices covering full service history
  • Original book-pack
  • Current V5

The Interior

  • Ivory leather seats and door cards
  • Un-marked original deep red carpeting
  • Veneered dash in excellent condition
  • Fully functioning electric hood
  • Original radio cassette player
On initial inspection, you could be forgiven that this car has either never been used or has been professionally and extensively restored. Look at the inside and you are confronted by the most pristine of interiors for a 33-year-old car that you are ever likely to find, and it is almost unbelievable that it has covered more than 50,000 miles. But this is no resto, simply a dutyfully cared for machine. 

There are very few signs of use anywhere on the interior as the seats look new and the steering wheel and controls bear no signs of wear. The veneer on the dashboard is as fresh as the day it was put in by the factory. Everything seems to work and the instruments appear to function fully. 

What is a nice feature is the fact that the original stereo cassette is still in place. Usually, these are one of the first things to disappear. The top of the dash that so often suffers from years of sunshine is also as good as the day it was made. 

The Exterior 

  • Very original body-work
  • Sparkling un-damaged factory fit wheels
  • Clear and bright headlamps
  • All chrome and bumpers are in excellent condition
The fiery red paint on this car is in fabulous condition and looks fresh. There is no apparent evidence of a respray but there is an invoice for some minor repairs. The evil scourge of rust has been avoided and all the arches and wing seams are seemingly free of it. The hood is in great condition as is the tonneau cover which still fits perfectly. The low mileage and care for the car certainly show through as the Jag could pass for something far newer with the quality of the shine on this lovely car.

The Mechanics 

  • Consistent maintenance history
  • No expense spared
  • Original low mileage engine and gearbox
  • Phenomenal MOT history with minimal advisories from 1995
  • Recently serviced and ready for the new owner
The almost fighter plane-sized V12 engine bursts into life at the turn of the key and instantly settles into a smooth purring idle. The automatic gearbox changed smoothly as the car was moved around for the photographs and the current owner assures us of a very smooth drive. 

No expense has been spared when servicing and maintaining this ‘Big Cat’. Any advisories that would appear at MOT time were instantly attended to. 

The steering rack has had the benefit of a recent overhaul along with some suspension bushes. The paperwork shows an almost complete history and most importantly, the presence of old MOT certificates clearly showing the minimal mileage added year on year.

Summary

We often describe a car as being rare or at least hard to find. But in the case of the Jaguar XJ-S, this is a car that is neither particularly rare and therefore relatively easy to find, except coming across one that is as good as this one. Now, many people will describe their cars as in great condition and well looked after, but on closer examination, they rarely live up to that hype. 

This one on the other hand not only matches its description but makes it very hard to find fault. Finished in a beautifully glossy bright red which is matched to a fabulously opposing ivory interior, this car appears to have hardly turned a wheel, in fact with only 51,000 miles covered over a 33-year life, it really hasn’t. 

It is simply in as close to showroom condition as you can get for a car of this age. The originality of retaining the original radio cassette player as well as the factory book pack speaks volumes, even the pre-delivery documents are still in the pack too. 

The big 5.3 V12 is not an engine that would stress over covering considerably more miles but never the less this one has enjoyed a consistent servicing regime throughout its life. So, to amend the earlier statement, this is actually a very rare XJ-S as it is in wonderful condition, beautifully appointed and delightfully original. With very low mileage and the kind of history you can rely on. What’s not to like?
Winning bid
£16,750

Auction Details

  • Year1989
  • MakeJaguar
  • ModelXJS Cabriolet
  • ColourRed
  • Odometer51,228 Miles
  • Engine size5343cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • CountyCheshire
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends
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