• Has just been painted

• Chassis appears very solid

• Brakes have just been overhauled

The E Type was always going to be a hard act to follow, but by the time the Series 3 finished it had evolved into a grand tourer, and the new XJS followed this mould, styled by the legendary designer Malcom Sayer and powered over the years by either straight 6 or V12 engines.

After a various updates the car was facelifted in 1991 after Ford brought the company into the Premier Automotive Group, and as well as updates styling the V12 was enlarged to 6 litres with a new gearbox.

The current owner is something of a Jaguar collector and has owned quite a number of these fine cars. Having built up something of a collection, space limitations are forcing him to downsize so this is now coming on the market. Offered now with no reserve, this XJ-S presents as an appealing way into the classic Jaguar world. The MOT history shows that the car has been treated to some work in the past, in order to keep it on the road. The most recent test brought about new wipers, new bulbs, and an overhaul of the brakes including the servo. The only advisories were tyres, which the new owner will ideally want to replace as they are old, and the rear discs are reported as being scored, but not weakened. 

There is not a great deal of paperwork with the car, but it does come with its original folder containing the owners' handbook and other booklets, and the V5 is in the current owners name. It also comes with a fresh MOT. As we touched on above, a great deal of work was carried out to secure this MOT. New bulbs, work to the brakes, new wipers and so on were all fitted. Prior to this, the MOT history would suggest than as of 2018 this XJ-S was fitted with a new fuel filler cap, new track rod ends, new battery clamp and new pads. Crucially, while the electrics and some perishables have been replaced, there is no mention of any structural issues, the emissions seem to have been good and on the whole, it's a very solid old thing. One that you can no doubt improve and make into something truly special with minimal effort. 

Overall the cabin is in very presentable condition. The high-quality fabric of the seats has lasted well, the usual wear areas such as the bolsters are hardly worn, the bases are not sagging, there’s just a bit of pilling on the tweed in the centre areas, and the carpets are good with little wear. The door cards look to be in good order, too, including the associated switchgear. Though the wood veneer is flaking in places, as one might expect with age. The sill plates are good, as are the lower interior panels that often fall victim to wear and tear. It's clear someone has loved this car - the interior really is excellent. 

The dash is in good order with bright, clear gauges. Everything appears to function as it should, the dashtop is in good order with no damage or warping, and the leather steering wheel is a welcomingly tactile as it was when new. It's a snug, comfortable place to be, this Jag. 

Aftermarket pedals have been added and you may have noticed the dark window tints which were applied by a previous owner, these have been removed after the photo shoot, we have been assured. So you don't need to be distracted by them now! 

The Jaguar has just benefitted from a full respray in its original shade of metallic green, due to the common issue of lacquer peel which often affects British cars of this era, so it now looks good from all angles. The seller does point out that while the colour is delightful, it's not perfect, and requires some detailing. However, it presents very well, and is ultimately far better then the flaking, faded lacquer this new paint replaces. It's especially appealing as the sun hits the metallic fleck, and being a late model has the dark smoked tail lights. The bumpers, as you can see in the images, would benefit from some attention. 

The alloys are presentable if not perfect, as there is some peeling of the surface but there is next to no curb damage, and the tyres all have decent tread. Though as we mentioned earlier, the tyres have been advised on the MOT due to perishing, so these may well need to be changed for a new set. The chrome bumpers do have some pitting in the surface and there is a hole below the headlamp.

The straight six engine starts easily and was happy to idle while on the shoot keeping a steady temperature and drove well to the location. We're told by the seller that the engine pulls cleanly, with no smoke and no untoward noises under load. The straight-six is a hardy old unit, and one that can do more than double the mileage of this one without issue. Service parts a readily available, and while it might not have the power of the V12, it's still got more than enough shove for the car around it. 

The brakes have just been overhauled including new ABS pump, new pads have been fitted and the system has been bled and balanced, all as part of the recently-passed MOT. 

The classic British sports coupe - the long bonnet, clean lines and those sweeping buttresses to the tail, the XJS really is a car that has got better with age, managing to look aggressive and graceful at the same time.

This example looks lovely with its fresh paint over good metal and the engine feels strong. It may not be perfect but that makes it a great driver and one that can be easily improved. If you want to get behind the wheel of an XJ-S, this is undoubtedly the one. No reserve means you could snag a bargain, and who doesn't like the thought of driving home a Jaguar for a steal? 

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