Jaguar XJS 4.0 Coupe

Launched way back in 1975 as a replacement for the E-Type, the Jaguar XJS is one of those rare cars that just got better as it evolved – all too often it is the first model that is the best while the later ones just get lardier and lumpier. 

The first major facelift came in 1991 when the Big Cat got larger rear windows, new rear wings, different lights and revised instruments. It also got the superb new 4-litre 24-valve AJ6 engine, a paragon of refinement and reliability that was virtually as quick as the old V12 but with far superior fuel economy (235bhp, 140mph and 26mpg).

Reliability was exemplary and these AJ6 engines have been known to clock up huge mileages without drama. Build quality also improved markedly with a galvanized body shell finally putting paid to that old Jaguar bugbear – rust.

Dating from 1991, this particular car has covered just 68,000 miles from new and comes with a comprehensive service history comprising 16 stamps in the service book plus evidence of three further services giving 19 services in all – pretty impressive maintenance by any standards.

Supplied new by Barretts of Canterbury, it has had eight keepers to date but we are told that at least three of these were from the same family. Apart from some minor paint chips here and there, the body and paintwork is said to be in excellent condition while the underside has recently been stripped and resealed and is also said to be excellent.

The cream leather interior is rated as “very good” with just some minor wear to the driver’s seat bolster although the headlining has begun to sag slightly (a common occurrence on this model). A new set of tyres have also recently been fitted and the rear subframe was removed and overhauled last summer.

It comes with all its original handbooks, the aforementioned service history and most old MOTs to verify the mileage. Taxed until August and MOTd until July it is ready for immediate use. Your cataloguer has owned a couple of these wonderful 4-litre XJS models and rates them very highly indeed. This low mileage example looks very tempting at the modest guide price suggested.