1984 Jaguar XJ-SC

Description

• Genuine 20,330 miles from new
• One owner for 31 years
• Full service history
• Stunning condition
• Recently recommissioned from long term storage

When production of the E-type ended in 1974 Jaguar knew they needed a sports model in their range. The designer Malcom Sayer stepped up and created the striking and wonderful XJS. Its innovative design took everyone by surprise. Today, the XJS remains one of Jaguar’s best loved models. 

Fast forward to the early 80’s and two of the most important developments in the history of the XJS happened; the announcement of the all new six cylinder engine. This coincided with the release of the XJ-SC. The two developments went together perfectly. The classic 5.3-litre V12  was no longer the only power option. The all-new 3.6-litre twin cam 24-valve AJ6 straight-six unit delivering 221bhp was an immediate success. 

Buyers had been craving an open-top XJS and Jaguar delivered. Its unique blend featured two targa-style removable hardtop panels and a fold-down rear window. It was purposeful, practical and perfect for British Sumer time. 

Exterior 

Our vendor JT has owned this car since 1990. It has been always kept in a heated garage and has seen limited use. Due to lack of use, it has recently been professionally recommissioned. It did regularly leave the confines of the heated garage to be service and MOT’d and because of that JT is very happy to warrant as genuine the 20,330 the car has travelled.  

JT also advises us the XJ-SC was waxoyled from new. All the above will give you a flavour of the condition.  

He advised us all the shut lines are precise but most critically there is no evidence of the XJS’s most feared enemy; corrosion. The images bear this out. 

The original paintwork looks absolutely spotless, although JT does advise ‘some bodywork imperfections due to long term storage’. The exterior chrome, headlamps, rubbers are all in top condition. The all-important perspex rear screen which often turns milky and impossible to see through is as near as new that is could be. 

Under the bonnet we can see the front edge of the sound deadening pad needs tidying up as it is starting to deteriorate with condensation. 

The XJ-SC looks as it should after many years of long term ownership love and low use. 

Interior 

The interior of any XJ-SC is a great place to be. The interior of this XJ-SC is as you’d expect of a car that has covered just over 20,000 miles. Being specific, the leather seats are in faultless condition. The passenger seat looks like it has hardly ever been used. The driver’s seat is flawless, although it looks like it would benefit from a clean. The wooden dash is immaculate, indeed as is all the dash board, clocks and switchgear. The carpets look like the XJ-SC just left the showroom. All the touch-points, such as gear leaver and leather bound steering wheel show no signs of wear. 

The vendor has captured an image of the material on the inside of targa top which has wilted. An easy enough DIY fix to replace the fabric glue which has obviously aged. There are no rips or tears in the fabric. 

Engine and Transmission. 

This XJ-SC comes with a full service and MOT history. That tells its own story. The vendor does say the XJ-SC drives as it should, the 221bhp AJ6 engine mated to a superb five speed manual Getrag 265 gear box work very well together. With this combination the XJ-SC offers effortless performance, impressive refinement and a great all-round driving experience. A real grand tourer. 

Wheels, tyres and suspension

The vendor very candidly advises two things. He suggests the tyres will need replacing due to age, storage and plain lack of use. The wheels are in very good condition but in some areas the clear coat lacquer on the very inside of the wheel rims is starting to delaminate in places. The spare remains unused. Other than that the vendor advises there are no known faults with this 20,330 mile XJ-SC. 

Our View

A warranted 20,330 miles XJ-SC from very long term ownership and storage for many of them? Wow.  

XJS’s are quite correctly very popular. Jaguar produced the XJS model for an incredible 21 years for a reason, because they were so good and so popular. They remain that way today. 

The ‘bangers’ and project cars selling for a couple of grand but needing ten grand spent on them are largely gone. We are now mainly left with good cars and of course the cream such as an XJ-SC like this one. 

This XJ-SC is unique and special in a number of ways. Jaguar made very few of these models. Even fewer, some reports suggest only around 200, in XJ-SC 3.6 manual form.  

Now match that with a car that has had one owner for three decades, hardly used, warranted mileage, full service history and as our vendor says ‘every piece of paper’ with it, from long term storage. We’d say that is close to the XJ-SC jackpot. We’d expect there to be a lot of interest. Indeed a very well-known and well respected long-time member of large Jaguar enthusiasts owners club has already opined that this XJ-SC is one of a kind. He would know. 

It is always difficult to anticipate where bidding will finish on such a outstanding and rare car like this XJ-SC, and the photographs really don’t do this wonderful car justice, but we think somewhere between £25,000 – £30,000. Buy it while these rare XJ-SC’s are still affordable. 

 

Vehicle Location: Bristol– it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor

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