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Highlights
- Only 3 previous owners from new
- Great example of this rare Jaguar coupe
- Highly original garage kept condition with Heritage Certificate verification
- Extensive service history with sparing recent use
- Thick history file supports the very low mileage
- MOT, tax and ULEZ compliant
The Appeal
The Jaguar XJ-C was for a long time consigned to a footnote in the firm’s illustrious history, a short-lived model seemingly out of step with the firm’s lineage. In recent years that has changed significantly as enthusiasts rediscover arguably one of Jaguar’s best and prettiest cars and one of the last to be developed with input from founder William Lyons.
With the similar four-seater XJ-S coupe in development at the same time, there was no obvious reason for the XJ-C. But it was Lyons’ pet project and his persistence – in the face of complex engineering problems with the tricky pillarless design – paid off and the XJ-C offered buyers an alternative classic Jaguar profile compared to the XJ-S. Unlike the rival Jaguar GT there was also the option of six and 12 cylinder power and the choice of Jaguar or Daimler branding.
British Leyland rationalisation killed the XJ-C off after two short years. Just 6,487 4.2litre Jaguar-badged XJ-Cs were built, most of the fitted with automatic gearboxes.
This is one of them but fitted with the ultra rare manual overdrive (MOD) gearbox. Resplendent in uber-70s Lavender with a contrasting Biscuit leather interior, it is a very low mileage car in superb, original condition. This is a vanishingly rare opportunity to acquire an extremely good example of an equally great car.
The History and Paperwork
- Heritage Certificate confirms current colour scheme is factory correct
- Heritage Certificate is dated 22nd October 2014
- Car was built on 16th October 1975 and despatched on the 29th to Belfast
- DVLA records record first registration as 31st December 1976 but this may not be accurate
- Genuine Manual Overdrive model
- Original Handbook
- Original BL Passport service history book
- Original sales brochure
- Appears to have spent the first part of its life in Belfast
- First UK registered on 8th August 1989
- VIN records confirm that this car was factory fitted with the ‘DeNormanville’ (code DN) overdrive gearbox
- History file is comprehensive including old MOTs, tax discs and invoices
- This work seems to have mostly focussed on mechanical fettling judging by those invoices
- Some of this work was undertaken by XJ Restorations, the model specialist
- Carburettor kit purchased in 2016
- Service history showing extensive stamps to 38,175 miles in April 1985
- MOT records pick up the story from 2008 at 44,096 miles
- Last MOT expired 7th June 2021 at 44,471 miles with no advisories
- Car has not covered any miles since that last MOT test
The Condition
- Very original car in appealing Lavender over biscuit with optional GKN ‘Kent’ alloys
- Only had a full bare metal repaint with screens, doors bonnet and boot removed (with photography available) in the last 12 months
- Good panel fit, particularly to doors
- Excellent door shuts displaying no visible damage to paint or sill trims
- Leather interior is well kept and in original, standard condition
- Seats retain their shape and show soft, clean and undamaged leather
- Originality includes supplying dealer plates and window sticker
- Vinyl roof in good condition showing good colour, no cracking and clean edges
- Bright, clean chromework
- Very solid and looks to be all original panels throughout
- Original lights with clean, clear lenses and no visible cracks
- Interior veneers present well with no delamination or cracking
- Original tool roll in good condition with full tool set and jack
- Two remotely operating door mirrors, an option at the time
- Original Biscuit carpets in good condition
- Boot area continues the theme with clear, unmarked fittings
- All electric windows working
- Original leather trim and carpets
- Original vinyl roof
- Leather trimmed steering wheel
- Front and rear Jaguar mud flaps
- Sliding rear side windows appear to operate correctly
- Complete set of badging in good, untarnished or misted condition
The Mechanics
- 4,235cc Jaguar XK straight six engine with twin carburettors
- Very rare MOD manual gearbox
- Manual choke conversion
- Extensive service history
- Overdrive working as it should in 4th gear
- Drives very well with no suspension noises, smooth brakes, gears change very well, very torquey engine that again pulls very well through all gears
- Considerable mechanical refurbishment undertaken in 2010 with less than 500 miles covered since
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
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