1989 Jaguar XJR-S – Project Profile

Akin to the morning after a particularly heavy session followed by a stop off on the way home for an ill-advised Shami Kebab Diablo with extra chilli sauce, the stench of Jaguar’s recent rebrand is still very much lingering. Add to that the images of the company’s latest concept – the Type 00 – and it’s enough to make even those with the most hardy of constitutions stifle a gag. Well, in a bid to crack the window and let a little fresh air into the room we thought we’d feature this XJR-S as today’s Project Profile.

The XJR-S is the ultimate expression of Jaguar’s iconic XJS luxury GT, not counting the new Supercat by TWR of course, but that’s a very special case. Speaking of Tom Walkinshaw Racing though, the XJR-S was the result of a 50/50 collaboration between TWR and Jaguar, a pairing that would spawn numerous feisty felines for the road, beginning with the XJR-S.

Fresh off of his 1984 Touring Car Championship win behind the wheel of a 5.3-litre V12 Jaguar XJS, and with the taste of Champagne still fresh on the tongue, Walkinshaw would capitalise on this success, as well as the subsequent exposure, and develop a road-going version of his race-winning steed, complete with improved aerodynamics, uprated suspension and a hike in peak power to around 325bhp.

It was a bold statement. The original XJ-S was already a divisive so and so, following on, as it did, from the E-Type, but the XJR-S proved wholeheartedly that there was a bona fide sportster underneath the car’s seemingly disparate styling. It may not have been as vociferous as its track-tuned counterpart but it was still rapid. More refined, yes, but still rapid.

The XJR-S didn’t quite hit the mark with buyers though, sadly, and as a result only 326 5.3-litre XJR-S examples left the factory before the 6.0-litre replaced it. As such it remains an exclusive beast indeed, with decent, original cars such as this rarely coming to market.

What is it? 

This is a 1989 5.3-litre Jaguar XJR-S with just 53.5K on the odometer and an MOT until November next year that’s ready to drive away. Finished in gleaming red and with tan Connolly leather interior this is peak ’80s sports car right here. For sale due to ULEZ (groan) and lack of use, this six-owner Jag is a cherished example, but there is room for improvement with the opportunity to elevate it to the mintiest of minty conditions.

Why is it a project? 

Despite having been well-maintained and looked after there are a few areas that are starting to show their age, both on the exterior as well as inside the car. It’s a solid example and the bodywork presents well, generally speaking, but there are a number of light marks to the paint in places, as well as a few areas of corrosion, including the at base of both front arches, the door bottoms and above the rear bumper.

The MOT lists two advisories for corrosion, too: “Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened” and “Front Coil spring corroded”, so there is work to be done to bring this XJR-S back to its BMW-bashing best.

What should you look for? 

Rust
As noted above, there are a few small areas of rust starting to creep in, none of which are anywhere near terminal, so get on top of it now and you’ll be grand. The underside appears to be in good order but there has been some recent welding repairs to the jacking points so have a poke about to see if there are any hidden nasties that need addressing, specifically the floors and seatbelt mounting points.

Check for moldy carpets or wetness as it’s not uncommon for windscreen scuttles to rot allowing water to get through the front screen which then makes its way down to the floors and causes havoc. Check the rear radius arms, which can be also be a common spot for rust, as well as the inner wings and front top mountings.

Suspension
These are heavy cars with a big old V12 up front so they are taxing on the suspension. The brakes on the rear are inbound on pre-’94 cars, so if the brakes are tired and the suspension is knocking about budget for a rebuild of the independent rear suspension, which can be around £4,000 – £5,000. The front end is much less complicated, but listen out for knocks or bangs as rebuilds can still be expensive.

Electrics
The later the car, the better they get, but pre 1990 models can be a bit shaky. Check that everything works, it’s as simple as that! Faulty relays or corroded wiring is usually the main culprit but can be tricky to diagnose.

Engine
The V12 is a very robust unit, but they are sensitive to coolant. Make sure there is evidence of regular coolant changes (every two years) and that the thermostats open and close as they should. The only real enemy of the V12 is overheating. Other than that, listen to make sure it’s running sweetly, and the rev response is crisp, which judging by the video accompanying the listing is all good.

Ignition System
These cars used a Marelli Ignition system, taking over from the Lucas Constant Energy system. The distributor cap can experience a short circuit, which shuts off one bank of cylinders, but not the fuel delivery signal, resulting in unburned fuel being dumped into the exhaust which can cause fire. Check that genuine parts have been fitted and regular servicing to the ignition system (dizzy cap, HT leads, coils etc.) has been carried out.

What should you do with it? 

Being a rare, low mileage example in highly original condition there’s not really any other option here aside from tidying up and addressing the bodywork blemishes. Sort the rust spots and treat the old girl to a full professional paint correction and machine polish, fix the interior issues, give it a full service and then drive the thing. It should be an easy project for the winter, ready to take centre stage when the weather turns more clement.

The XJR-S represents a seminal moment in Jaguar’s rich history as it returned to its performance leanings as a manufacturer of sports cars and it’s a car whose influence cannot be diminished one iota by any terribly misguided re-imaginings by contemporary marketing “experts”. Buy this XJR-S, treat it to a bit of TLC and enjoy a car from a time when Jaguars still had grace, space and pace in spades.