∙Ultra-rare special edition – only around 300 made

∙Paint and trim unique to the Insignia model

∙Totally original condition

∙Well-documented service history

With a 20-year production run from 1975 to 1996, the XJ-S was a great success for Jaguar, even if it was met with mixed reactions when it first appeared. The angular styling, some said, failed to live up to the standard set by its predecessor, the E-type, but since that is repeatedly said to be the most beautiful car ever made, we’ll let the XJ-S off the hook. Either way, it was good enough for Simon Templar, so it’s certainly good enough for us.

It’s a pity the styling was divisive, because the mechanicals underpinning it were not to be sniffed at. For the first few years, every XJ-S left Browns Lane with the 5.3-litre V12, introduced in 1971, which was passed on from the Series III E-type. Whereas E-types had often been manuals, though, XJ-Ss were predominantly automatics, marking a shift in character from sports-car to luxury grand tourer.

The final incarnation of the XJS appeared in 1991, when it received a more aerodynamic facelift and the AJ6 six-cylinder engine was increased to four litres. The brakes were also upgraded, but the automatic six-cylinder continued to use the electronic ZF4HP24E gearbox. A few lucky customers were able to purchase an Insignia model, denoting special paint and trim options available on the XJS and XJ40. Jaguar said of them:

While production figures for XJS Insignias are variously stated between 50 and 65 cars, it is confirmed that only just over 300 Insignias of both XJS and XJ40 varieties were built in total.

A Heritage Certificate confirms that this car left Browns Lane in Lavender metallic paint with Pale Stone upholstery, and was despatched on 31st March, 1994, being first registered to Jaguar Cars as a company vehicle. It was originally registered L634 WDU but has since acquired a personalised registration. When Jaguar finished with the car, it was sold to Midland Stock Disposals, where it most likely belonged to a director. Its service history shows that it lived in close proximity to Browns Lane for a very long time, receiving its annual services at Rybrook Jaguar (latterly P. J. Evans and then Stratstone Jaguar) on Stratford Road, Solihull, until 2006.

The vendor acquired the car in 2013 and has cared for it very well, but is selling it because he has an XJ-S coupé and only has time to enjoy one of them.

In addition to the V5, this car comes with a lot of paperwork. The vendor has retained a collection of invoices for work undertaken on the car, mainly by the Surrey Jaguar Centre. There is also a collection of MoT certificates going back to 2013, with the most recent confirming that it has a valid MoT until 15th June, 2022.

A form issued by Footman James at 86,000 miles described the car as being in A-plus condition in all respects (body, paintwork, chrome fittings, chassis/bodywork, interior, engine transmission and electrical equipment), meaning it is in ‘Genuine very good condition, either an older restoration or very original with history and correct numbers’. It was valued at £25,000 in 2005 by Graham Searle of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club on account of its rarity and condition.

A desirable Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate is included in the sale, but perhaps the most exciting item is a very rare original brochure for the Insignia range. There is also a booklet entitled Performance for Your Jaguar for 2002 by AJ6 Engineering, which fitted a torque conversion to the car in 2002.

Certain original factory literature is also included, such as the Jaguar XJ-S Service Manual, and a leather wallet containing the Replacement/Continuation Service Record, which contains a service record back to 1995.

Subtle and subdued, the Pale Stone interior has survived extremely well. Some wear is visible on the driver’s seat, but the rest of the leather is in remarkable condition and the rear seats have obviously not been subjected to anything more than the lightest use. The doors, dash and steering wheel are all exceptional. The walnut veneer is interesting, being somewhat paler than is typical, but it complements the car’s light colour scheme very well and is all part of the Insignia package which boasted woods imported from California and ‘specially selected for their natural colour’.

The carpets are wonderfully clean and look very welcoming, but if you want even more luxury, the car does have an additional set of soft sheepskin carpets in matching Stone, which were photographed in the boot and which should make the interior especially cosy as autumn and winter draw nearer.

The boot itself is just as beautifully clean as the rest of the car. Like other Jaguars of the early ’90s, it is complete with its original factory jack and toolkit. The toolkit itself is largely complete, except for the spare light bulbs which have obviously been used at some point. That much is perhaps to be expected in any high-quality car which has been well cared-for since new, but what might come as a surprise is the fact that this car was also supplied with two Jaguar picnic blankets in British Racing Green, which survive in good condition and are being sold with the car.

As you’d expect for a 27-year-old car, the Jaguar’s exterior is not quite mint, but it is certainly very good. The exclusive Lavender paint is quite a fascinating colour, with its metallic lustre and light, ethereal quality. Apart from a few small scratches on the bumpers, there really is not much to be faulted. There is just one small patch on the boot which looks as if it has been touched up in the past, but the light has to hit it at just the right angle for this to be apparent. On inspecting the underside of the car, we did notice that the front valance has unfortunately acquired a small split, but this is not serious and will not be visible unless you get down on your hands and knees to look for it.

All the chrome is in excellent order, as is all the glass. The rear light lenses are quite special in themselves, being tinted a shade of purple-grey, so they blend in with the paint scheme. The badges have a light patina and the alloy wheels show a few age-related marks, but they do not show any signs of having been scuffed. The hood is in superb condition and raises and lowers itself electronically quickly and quietly at the touch of a button.

The Jaguar fires up on the first turn of the key and idles well with a low, soft rumble. The automatic gearbox is extremely easy to use and a light touch on the accelerator sees the car pull away in a smooth, gentle fashion. Power steering makes manoeuvring incredibly simple, and despite the Jaguar’s considerable length it is not at all difficult to negotiate restricted spaces.

The car passed its most recent MoT on 1st June, 2021, where the following advisory notes were identified:

The Jaguar XJS is always a popular car on account of its smart styling, impressive interior appointments and everyday usability. Special versions, such as the XJR-S, tended to focus on improved performance but, if it’s luxury and style that matter to you, an Insignia represents the zenith of the XJS’s long life. Rarity is always an appealing factor, too, but it’s the colour scheme that makes this special. The Lavender and Pale Stone combination was only ever seen on a deliberately exclusive small handful of cars, and it exhibits such understated class. It has survived extremely well over the years and remains completely original, and the mechanical side of it is in pretty good health, too. We don’t imagine another Insignia will be for sale any time soon, so get bidding while you still can.