Jaguar XJS 3.6 Coupe

Conceived as a comfortable and long-legged Grand Tourer rather than an out-and-out sports car like the preceding E-Type, the XJ-S 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 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.

Dating from May 1990, this particular car is a very special example indeed. It has only covered some 29,500 miles from new in the hands of just three owners, the last of whom owned it from 1995 until his death a few months ago.

Looking superb in rare Jade Green with a light beige hide interior, it has a full service history comprising 10 stamps to date, the first 8 at Jaguar main dealers and the last less than 100 miles ago in September 2012. Riding on a matching set of recent Pirelli P600 tyres, it also has a period Motorola mobile phone fitted, now a collector’s item in its own right.

The car is said to drive beautifully and certainly performed well when we were invited for a test drive, feeling as tight as you would expect for such a low mileage although the front left shock absorber may need examining as it rattled somewhat on bumpy surfaces.

Supplied with all its original handbooks in the original Jaguar wallet, it also has various invoices for service items and 10 old MOTs back to 1994 to further verify the mileage. As good an example as we have ever encountered, it could make a worthy concours contender with some minor detailing here and there. MOTd until September with no advisories recorded, this lovely Coupe is sure to be of interest to any Jaguar collector.