Description
The Jaguar XJC (often written XJ-C) is the two-door coupé variant of the XJ “Series II” saloon, conceived to offer the same refined luxury but with a lower, sleeker and more exclusive line. The project existed on paper from the late 1960s, but Jaguar revealed it to the public later, notably at the London Motor Show in October 1973… before having to wait a long time to bring it into production.
This delay stems mainly from a very concrete point: the XJC adopts a pillarless hardtop body with frameless windows, which gives a very grand tourer silhouette, but makes sealing and glazing fitment much harder to reliability. In addition there was a complicated industrial and economic context in the mid-1970s (the British Leyland era and the after-effects of the oil crisis), which did not help to accelerate the launch.
When it finally arrives at dealerships, the XJC takes the short-wheelbase underpinnings of the XJ Series II: long doors, stretched greenhouse, and that very “English club” look that immediately sets it apart from a four-door XJ. The philosophy is less that of a pure sports coupé than a prestige coupé, built to cover miles quickly and calmly, with an interior presentation and comfort typical of Jaguar.
This example was sold new in Europe in December 1977. The certificate of conformity is still present.
For a 1977 XJC with a 4. 2 L engine, you’re looking at the famous Jaguar XK straight-six, 4, 235 cc, double overhead cam, which constitutes something of the “historic heart” of the marque during this period. The XJC could be ordered with this 4. 2 or with the V12 5. 3, but the 4. 2 is often seen as the best balance between flexibility, running costs and the old‑school mechanical character.
The year 1977 is especially important because it marks the end of the line: production of XJ coupés ceased in November 1977 (with a few late registrations depending on markets), which explains their rarity today. On the production figures commonly cited, the XJC 4. 2 totals around 6, 487 units over the entire period, including 1, 776 for the year 1977, making it a late-series, sought-after model.
It has 125, 500 km and is in very fine condition both aesthetically and mechanically. It shows no corrosion, and the interior remains in superb original condition. It is also equipped with electronic ignition 123, and benefited from a general service in 2026.
