With the new XJ40 delayed by budgetary constraints and global sales slowing down as the 1970s drew to a close, Jaguar turned to the Italians for help in keeping the XJ saloon series going a bit longer, creating one of the most beautiful saloon cars ever made in the process.
 
The Series 3 XJ was created with the help of Pininfarina, which gave the car an inexpensive restyle, keeping Jaguar’s engineering costs in mind. A lower roofline, new light clusters front and rear and – most importantly – US-market compliant safety impact bumpers were the main elements of the brief, and it’s fair to say that Pininfarina did a great job – against all odds, the third-generation of the company’s big saloon was its prettiest yet.
 
The outcome was a stunning car, especially given how tight Jaguar’s budget was, and it kept the XJ selling well until 1986 when the new XJ40 appeared, though the V12 models carried on even longer - until 1992.
 
This one was built in 1984, when the Series 3 was at the height of its popularity. Finished in gorgeous Antelope metallic paint, it’s a beautifully kept car with a genuine low mileage of just 51,000 miles from new, though the odometer only shows 9,000 miles as the clocks were changed in 1988 (a full record of this is in the car’s history).

It has also just passed its 40th birthday, and is now eligible for Historic Vehicle status with DVLA, meaning an exemption from tax, MOT and ULEZ/CAZ charges – an appealing proposition if you live in London, perhaps? The vendor has registered t as MOT exempt even though it is currently tested, and it will be eligible for free road tax when the current VED runs out in April next year.
 
It’s a fabulous example of what many believe to be the best Jaguar XJ saloon – and it’s also a remarkable rare one, as it’s both a 3.4 and an entry-level car, which means it has velour trim; a real rarity, and actually quite lovely.

The car belonged to an enthusiast for many years, but was taken off the road in the early 2000s and kept in a temperature controlled Carcoon, before the vendor acquired it earlier this year.
 
Unfortunately – and with great regret – he is now forced to sell it due to an unexpected change in personal circumstances, and he says he’ll be devastated to see it go.
 
It’s an absolutely stunning example of the Series 3 in one of the very best colours, with a genuine low mileage and in gorgeous condition – if you’re the lucky top bidder, then you’ll have to look long and hard to find a better example. It’s in superb visual condition, appears structurally excellent and has a truly gorgeous interior, while it runs beautifully and sounds superb.

A lovely, genuine and wonderfully original example of a rapidly appreciating classic Jaguar saloon.

BEFORE YOU BUY 

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