Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe

The Jaguar XJS had a mountain to climb from the day it was launched – it had to replace the impossibly glamorous E-Type which had so captured the public's imagination when it first appeared in 1961. Somehow the XJS failed to stir emotions in the same way when it first hit the road in April 1975. However, time has been kind to the car and it now looks more handsome with every passing year.

Largely designed by Jaguar's legendary aerodynamicist, Malcolm Sayer, it slipped through the air far more efficiently than the E-Type and was a paragon of stability and silence at speed. Based on a shortened XJ saloon floorpan, it weighed over 100kg less than an XJ12 and in early manual form could sprint to 60 in 6.7 seconds and top 153mph.

In 1981 the XJS received the new HE (High Efficiency) engine with Michael May-designed Fireball heads which improved fuel economy by 20 per cent and upped the top speed to 155mph, making it the fastest automatic car in the world.

 

First registered in February 1992, this particular XJS has had just three owners from new, the current vendor having owned it for the past nine years. It has covered only 42,000 miles and comes with a full service history with 18 service stamps to date, most from Jaguar main agents, giving an average service interval of just 2,300 miles. Aside from routine servicing, in 2008 it was treated to a new steering rack, starter motor and battery at Steels of Hereford and the front suspension bushes have also been replaced. In 2009 Motorsport Ross fitted new rear discs and pads and new handbrake pads. New tyres have also recently been fitted.

 

The car has only been used in the summer months throughout the current ownership, being put on SORN and garaged each winter. Currently taxed and with an MOT until June 2010, it has completed two trips to France in recent years and is said to drive beautifully and to be in very good original condition throughout. Clearly a much loved car, it comes with all its original handbooks and many bills to show careful maintenance.

 

Good examples of the XJS are now getting thin on the ground and values have begun to rise. This low mileage example looks excellent value at the guide price suggested today.