Documented service history from the original 1,000-mile running-in service in 1986
Bare-metal bodywork restoration carried out in 2009, costing over £14,000
Cylinder head professionally rebuilt for unleaded fuel conversion
Over £24,000 in documented spend across the history file
The Appeal
Introduced in 1979 and produced through 1987, the Series III XJ6 was the final development of the original XJ design. The Sovereign badge—originally used by Daimler—became Jaguar’s top-tier luxury specification. Widely regarded as one of the most elegant four-door saloons ever built, the Series III remains a highly desirable classic.
This 1986 example comes with a well-documented history file, with invoices and service records stretching back to its first 1,000-mile running-in service at Stratstone London. Early maintenance was carried out by Jaguar franchise dealers, and the car continued to receive specialist attention throughout its life. In 2009, it was stripped to a bare shell and given a thorough restoration: structural corrosion was cut out and replaced with fresh steel, the body was repainted in its original Gunmetal Metallic, and new exterior brightwork was fitted throughout. The cylinder head was also rebuilt by a specialist machine shop at this time to ensure unleaded fuel compatibility. Further mechanical work followed in 2010, covering suspension, steering, braking, and exhaust components. The car was last serviced in August 2020 at a recorded 49,947 miles.image.png1.37 MB
Key Information
Mileage: 51,104 miles indicated; supported by service documentation, though some historical discrepancies are noted in the records
Paperwork: history file with invoices and service records dating from the first 1,000-mile service in 1986; V5C present along with various older MOT records
05/96 – 18,980 miles – Marcus Barclay Independent Jaguar Specialist
09/97 – 25,207 miles – Beckleys of Bookham
06/90 – Mileage Unlisted – Munster Tyres & Wheels
10/90 – 11,957 miles – Stratstone London (Brixton Hill)
11/90 – Mileage Unlisted – Stratstone London (Brixton Hill)
02/88 – Mileage Unlisted – Stratstone London (Brixton Hill)
01/88 – 6,082 miles / Mileage Unlisted – Stratstone London (Brixton Hill)
02/87 – 4,427 miles – Stratstone London (Brixton Hill)
11/86 – 3,203 miles – Harvey Hudson Ltd
05/86 – 984 miles – Stratstone London (Brixton Hill)image.png1.28 MB
The Detail
Very presentable example in a handsome color scheme, complete with OEM pepperpot alloy wheels
Some imperfections now showing on the body and underside, with some corrosion in the wheel arches and lower bodywork
Sliding sunroof shown to be in working order
High-quality Pirelli P4000 tires fitted
Serviced in August 2020 at 49,947 miles, including heater hose repair, front brake pad replacement, and door trim refit
Repainted in Gunmetal Metallic using water-based basecoat and four coats of clear lacquer during the 2009 restoration
Sliding sunroof mechanism removed, corrosion repaired, and refitted during the restoration
New front bumper chrome, radiator grille, exterior door handles, chrome wing mirrors, air vent grille, and badging fitted during the restoration
New front interior carpet lining installed during the restoration
Cylinder head rebuilt in 2009 with hardened valve seat inserts, new valve guides, three-angle valve seat profiling, new valve stem oil seals, and structural pressure testing
Helicoil repair insert fitted to a damaged spark plug port thread during the cylinder head rebuild
Left-hand fuel tank replaced in 2009, along with a fuel system flush, new inline fuel filter, and new fuel tank sender unit
Front exhaust downpipe replaced in 2009 due to structural wear at the flange
Aftermarket alarm system disconnected and bypassed in 2009 to resolve a starter relay fault
Front and rear suspension ball joints replaced in March 2010
Three steering rack mounting bushings replaced (March 2010)
Rear handbrake pads and fork hardware renewed (March 2010)
Offside front seatbelt buckle mechanism replaced (March 2010)
Exhaust manifold O-rings and top exhaust downpipe sections replaced (March 2010)
Two new Pirelli P4000 tires fitted to the rear axle (March 2010)
Automatic transmission fluid, filter, and pan gasket replaced in 1998, along with gearbox mounting rubbers, front subframe bushings, and rear hub differential oil seals
Early service history carried out by Stratstone London, a Jaguar franchise dealer
Rear-end accident damage repaired under insurance in 2001 at Guy Salmon Jaguar, including a replacement rear bumper and exhaust components
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