HIGHLIGHTS
- One of the first facelifted XJSs
- 5.3-litre V12
- Recommissioned in 2021 after a 10-year lay-up
- Rare colour
- One owner since 1999
THE APPEAL
If you were to create a list of the UK’s Top 10 appreciating classics, then the Jaguar XJS would be right up there near the top. Over the past few years, the striking coupe and convertible have seen a huge upsurge in interest, with the best example snow fetching well over double what they did four or five years ago.
The XJS, then, has come of age. Cheap ones are long gone. But then, they were never the good ones. This example is a really interesting one – a first stage facelift model from late 1991, making it one of the very first XJSs to get darkened smoke grey taillights and interior upgrades, but short of the full-fat facelift that brough in bigger bumpers and a 6.0-litre V12 engine.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- 110,000 miles
- Service book stamped to 100k
- MOT until April 2023
- Recently recommissioned with bills to support
- Long term previous owner
When the vendor acquired the XJS it had been off the road for almost a decade, stored in the previous owner’s garage. He had owned the car since 1991 and it had always been garaged.
The car has covered a mere 10,000 miles in the past 23 years, as backed up by the service book, which shows it had done 100,000 miles in 1999, when the book was last stamped. It has been serviced independently since, annually up until 2012 when it was parked up and again recently when it returned to the road.
It comes with a number of invoices for recent work including over £2,000 spent on getting the driver’s seat and armrest refurbished, replacement tyres and general repair work to return it to road legal condition. It has an MOT until April 2023 and a UK V5C.
THE INTERIOR
- Tan leather
- Refurbished seat and armrest
- Excellent veneers
- Original radio-cassette player
The interior of any XJS is a very special place in which to sit and this one is no exception, with gorgeous tan leather upholstery and thick Wilton carpets, offset by pale maple veneers. It’s all very smart, helped in no small part by the £600 spent by the owner on having the driver’s seat and centre armrest retrimmed. It’s in great condition as a result.
The original and sought-after Jaguar radio-cassette player is present and the LCD trip computer works well, though why anybody would want to see their instant MPG in a V12 Jaguar is beyond us!
THE EXTERIOR
- Rare Regency Red
- Well-presented
- Unusual late-spec alloys
The XJs is finished in Flamenco Red, a colour introduced for the 1992 model year (of which this is a very early example) and continued for just two years.
It’s largely original though it has had some paint and welding repairs in its past, but most of the paint is that applied in the factory and it still looks great, offset by smart five-spoke alloys that were only offered between late 1991 and 1994.
THE MECHANICS
- 5.3 V12 auto
- Recent brakes, tyres and suspension bushes
- Runs and drives very well
Jaguar’s 5.3-litre V12 is one of the all-time classic British engines and despite the mass of pipework on display it’s not as daunting as it looks.
This one starts on the first flip of the key and sounds and runs well. It has been fully serviced during its recommission and the brakes and suspension have also been partly overhauled. The vendor says it drives very well with no issues to disclose.
SUMMARY
This is a very straight, smart and good-looking example of an early facelift XJS, which in V12 form is one of the less common XJS variants. Returned to the road after a lay-up, it has the benefit of being recently serviced and thoroughly checked over ready to be used and enjoyed again. Here’s a great opportunity to get a rare XJS in an even rarer colour scheme.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
