1994 Jaguar XJ6 4.0 Sovereign (XJ40)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • One of the very last XJ40s
  • Garage stored for over a decade before recommissioning
  • Never welded and extremely solid 
  • Immaculate and rare Magnolia leather

THE APPEAL

Jaguar’s XJ40 saloon is very much a classic “of the moment”, with good examples becoming increasingly sought-after as the popularity of 1980s and 1990s classics continues to surge.

And of all the XJ40s, it’s the later models that are the most desirable thanks to their stronger, more powerful engines and less complicated electrical architecture. By the time it was replaced in the autumn of 1994, the XJ40 had evolved from being a complex and fragile machine to become one of the most dependable Jaguars ever made, its later AJ16 engine and simplified electrical architecture were more-or-less the same as in the later X300, which earned a handsome reputation for being the most reliable XJ of the lot. 

This one is a car with a story to tell. Originally registered by Jaguar Company Vehicles in August 1994, making it one of the very last XJ40s, the range-topping 4.0 Sovereign was sold to its third owner in 1999 by Jaguar main agents HA Fox in Norwich, when it was five years old and with 52k on the clock. The owner had apparently always wanted a Jaguar and bought it as a retirement gift to himself. He kept it for the rest of his life, and when he passed away in 2010 his widow couldn’t part with it, so it sat in the garage of their home until she passed away in 2021. 

The vendor acquired it through probate and a deceased estate, which saw two ‘official’ owners added in 2021, though neither of them drove it. The car was then recommissioned, serviced and went through an MOT test at the first attempt in December 2021. 

It is currently part of an extensive private collection of 1990s and 2000s cars, but the vendor is looking to free up funds and space for an imminent new acquisition.

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THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

  • UK V5C
  • MOT December 2023
  • All old MOT certificates back to 1998
  • Original owner’s handbook
  • Jaguar wallet and book pack
  • Service book stamped up to 63,865 miles, mostly main dealer
  • Originally a Jaguar company car, registered and PDI’d by Jaguar Company Vehicles Department and stamped in the book
  • XJI 3824 registration number included in sale – was originally registered M649 CRW. It has been XJI 3824 since the late owner acquired it in 1999
  • HA Fox Jaguar registration plates
  • All radio codes and manuals present

THE INTERIOR

  • Magnolia leather seats in wonderful condition, with optional pale blue piping
  • Very small area of rubbing on leather piping on driver’s seat
  • Electrically adjustable seats
  • Headlining very good, with no sagging
  • Light walnut veneer trim, all in fine condition
  • Rare twin airbag model
  • Original Jaguar floor mats and carpets in pale blue
  • Full-size spare wheel
  • Superb door cards 
  • Cruise control
  • Fully functional trip computer
  • Air conditioning (requires attention but appears to work)
  • Original Jaguar radio-cassette
  • Excellent boot carpet
  • 6-CD auto changer (untested)
  • Immaculate arm rests front and rear

THE EXTERIOR 

  • Stunning Diamond Blue Metallic
  • Very good overall condition with all original paint
  • Unmarked 16-inch ‘Kiwi’ alloys, with matching set of Pirelli tyres
  • Never welded and superb order underneath, with no evidence of structural corrosion (helped, no doubt, by being garaged for the past 13 years and covering only 14,000 miles since 2001)
  • Small bubbles on the o/s D-pillar around the trim mount and on the n/s/f wing behind the mud flap (see photos)
  • Chrome is generally sound but dull in places from storage
  • One small area of paint deterioration on o/s/r wing above the arch, a result of a leaking garage roof 
  • Trolley ding to n/s/f door
  • Some minor marks to boot lid and evidence of prior paint repair on boot lid edge (not immediately visible)
  • Overall, a really smart, superbly preserved and well-presented example of the XJ40 in unrestored condition

THE MECHANICS 

  • 4.0-litre straight six
  • Four-speed auto
  • 225bhp
  • Starts and drives really well – smooth and responsive with seamless gear changes
  • No known or apparent faults with steering or braking systems
  • Recommissioned in 2021 after long lay-up with fresh oil, brake fluid and coolant, new brake pads front and rear, two new brake pipes, new battery and two coolant hoses

SUMMARY

If you’re in the market for a really nice and original XJ40 and in the highest specification, then this one is a difficult opportunity to pass over. It’s a really smart and handsome car in completely original condition, never welded and with an absolutely glorious interior. Its originality is core to its appeal – a nice low-mileage Sovereign that deserves to be part of a collection. 

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.

A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.

All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1994
  • Make Jaguar
  • Model Sovereign
  • Colour Diamond Blue Metallic
  • Odometer 77,228 Miles
  • Engine size 3990
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Chatteris
  • Location Cambridgeshire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
6 bids from 4 bidders
  • da•••• £4,000 06/03/23
  • ai•••• £3,900 05/03/23
  • jo•••• £3,800 04/03/23
  • jo•••• £3,700 04/03/23
  • Bi•••• £3,600 01/03/23
  • da•••• £3,500 01/03/23
Message C&C Auction Team

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