Jaguar’s long-running XJ series of cars has an unmistakable air of class and sophistication.
Their sporting performance and rakish charm mark them out as an enduring feature of the British automotive landscape.
The Sovereign was the top end of the XJ lineup when this car was built. Its four-litre engine produced 290bhp and the car was set up for supreme ride comfort.
And this long-wheelbase model sets itself even further above the rest, with its extra four inches of passenger legroom, correspondingly longer rear doors and extra headroom.
The ‘Sovereign’ model was designed to convey its occupants in complete comfort.
As such, upon entering the cabin of this powerful beast you are immediately greeted by the reassurance of a supportive leather seat and a well-appointed dashboard.
A touch of traditional class is added by the walnut veneer on the dashboard and door trims, while the pale carpets remain in excellent condition. Cruise control is handily located on the steering wheel and, although air conditioning is fitted, the system would benefit from being recharged.
Overall, the interior of this Sovereign would be a very pleasant place to be on a long journey.
This Jaguar is painted in a timeless shade of metallic grey, which allows the car to continue to look presentable to this day.
There is a tasteful amount of chrome detailing, which sets the Sovereign apart from other XJ models, with the window surrounds, front grille and boot lid garnish.
In places, the paintwork is showing its years. But not more than may be expected for a car of this age. Particularly, the corner of the rear bumper is missing paint and there are a number of scratches and blemishes elsewhere.
There is some corrosion evident to the bottom of the sills. But the vendor states that the car has had some minor welding in this area in the past.
The alloy wheels are in fair condition, albeit with some pitting. And a new set of tyres would be a wise investment for the next owner.
Overall, this is a very usable car. You wouldn’t worry about taking it to the shops regularly.
The powerful V8 at the heart of this Jaguar has a reputation as a supremely smooth piece of machinery.
It kicks out a very respectable 290bhp and provides a reassuring amount of ‘go’ when required.
The vendor reports that it accelerates well and doesn’t put out any smoke or unusual noises. There are some MoT advisories which the next owner will probably wish to attend to.
The seller notes that he has retained the invoices for the following work: a professional automatic gearbox overhaul, replacing plastic cogs with metal, stainless steel exhaust rear section, new lambda sensors and replaced timing chains.
This top spec model in Jaguar’s XJ lineup represents the height of late ‘90s executive travel.
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