Jaguar XJS 3.6 Automatic

Not only does Jaguar’s wonderful XJS pull off the tricky feat of getting more handsome as every year goes by, it also has that magic carpet ride that no longer seems to exist in the cars of today. Conceived as a comfortable and long-legged Grand Tourer rather than an out-and-out sports car like the preceding E-Type, the XJS made use of the fabulously refined Jaguar XJ saloon platform and running gear. Launched in 1975 it was initially only available as a V12, but soaring oil prices meant that a smaller engined version was soon on the cards. 

In 1983 it became the first model to receive Jaguar's new 225bhp 3.6-litre AJ6 engine, a very smooth and potent unit that was not far short of the V12 in terms of outright performance and was in a different league for economy. "It is the 24-valve engine's flexibility that impresses most," wrote Autocar. "Such is its low-down pulling power that, in town and urban conditions, one rarely needs more than 2,000rpm to keep up with the traffic flow." Capable of hitting 60 in a whisker over 7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 137mph, at a steady 56mph it could still deliver 36mpg.

First registered in January 1989, this particular XJS 3.6 comes in metallic dark red with a doeskin leather interior. The car has covered some 106,000 miles from new with a good service history. The vendor states that the bodywork is in “exceptional rust-free condition” following several years in dry storage. Just recommissioned for sale, it has also been issued with a fresh MOT.