Jaguar's reputation as makers of delicately styled cars with impressive refinement and silky smooth power had been well established by the time the XJ models were first released in 1968. Considered as one of the best-looking 4-door saloons ever designed, the XJ remained very much in the heart of the range deep into the 1980s. The V12 versions were also sold as the Daimler Double Six, with a longer floor pan and a lavish specification. It remained in the lineup, serving as Jaguar's flagship V12 saloon right up until 1992. These last examples also benefited from a vastly superior build quality along with improved reliability.
In its later years, it became a limited-production car, with around 1,500 Series 3 saloons produced a year, helping the Double Six to retain its exclusivity. The V12 engine was proven to be quick, yet ultra-smooth. Its appeal to the motoring connoisseur, discreet with a tailor-made appearance elevates it above any other luxury car of the era.
Sold as a Japanese market car, this 1991 example benefits from the typical fastidious roadworthiness regulations and low mileage characteristics of JDM cars. Unusually it also comes with evidence of its service history in Japan, on top of the maintenance and service invoices from 2019, when it was imported into the UK. Finished in British racing green with a magnolia hide trim, this well-maintained and looked-after example also comes with 12 months MOT.
The History and Paperwork
Japanese market model
Registered in the UK in 2019
Original JDM manual
Odometer km change to miles at 33,706 (54,244 km)- with certificate of verification
16 Japanese Services to 51,514 km
Previously handled by a specialist classic car dealer, who carried out an extensive check on it in 2020
4 Services in the UK, the last one carried out in January 2021 at 34,616 miles
A document of the itinerary of work carried out, which includes over £10,000 spent in Japan
An additional £4,000 was spent in the UK on servicing and maintenance
V5c present
All of the previous UK MOTs present
12 Months MOT
The Interior
Very neatly presented cabin
Magnolia hide seats are in good visual condition, with mild signs of age on the passenger seat bench
Carpets in good shape, with no signs of dampness
Rear and passenger footwells fitted with wool mats
The dashboard padding is free of damage, with intact veneer
Mild signs of veneer cracks on the centre console
Lavishly fitted with power steering, air conditioning and electric windows,
Radio appears to have been converted to UK use
The dials and controls are all intact and neatly presented and all are said to work
The steering wheel is in good shape, with mild wear on the gear lever
Headlining and door cards intact
Boot shows the lightest of use and no signs of water ingress
The Exterior
The floor pan is intact, along with its inner wheel wells, chassis rails, boot floor and engine bay all appearing to be solid
Bodywork is well presented with flush fitting panels and even gaps
The body is free of dents
Doors have good seals
British racing green Paint has a deep lustre, with an even colour match throughout - some signs of a quality respray in the past
Under paint blemishes were noted around the windscreen and back window scuttle
Generally free of road wear damage with very little in terms of chips or scuffs, just signs of age on the lowest section of the front valance
Chrome trim in excellent condition
The bumpers are well mounted with mild signs of age on their trim
Body trim in decent order
Lights and lenses all intact
The windscreen and glass are commensurate with the age of the car but free of any significant flaws
The glass seals are in good shape
Alloys in very good condition with decent tyres
The Mechanics
Fuel-injected 'high-efficiency' OHC 5345 cc V12 engine
Automatic Transmission
The engine starts up with no hesitation or unwanted noises
Idles evenly with no reports of overheating or oil pressure issues
The vendor reports that the car is smooth to drive with no known or apparent faults
No reported issues with the automatic gearbox, selecting ratios with no slackness
Engine neatly presented with evidence of regular maintenance
Exhaust work, new rear pads and a new starter motor in 2019
Said to brake well with no drama
Summary
The documented history, as well as the positive presentation of the car, makes this last edition of the classic XJ series something of an excellent example of an archetypical British luxury saloon of a bygone era. However, its suitability for modern motoring, thanks to its smooth ride and comfort, allows it to be the ideal mode of sumptuous conveyance which will undoubtedly turn heads.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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