1990 Jaguar XJS HE V12 Auto Coupe

Description

• UNSOLD at auction June 2023 
• 5.3-litre V12 engine     
• Previously stored from c2006-2020 
• In Arctic Blue 
• TWR body kit 
• £2,500 recent refurb                                                            

A great big British classic car. The Jaguar XJS V12. In its day it was luxury personified with a price tag to match. The best engine in the XJS range is widely acknowledged to be the V12. To be fair, there is something almost mythological about a V12 powered classic British grand tourer. Now, these are probably the best value classic car on the market, an absolute bargain. 

History 

This Jaguar XJS spent around 15-20 years with a previous owner. Back in 2007 he spent a great deal of money on repainting the vehicle as well as mechanically. Then for some unfathomable reason, he tucked it away in his garage almost forgetting about it.  He did visit it periodically to start and run it up “Just to make sure it was still ready to go if needed”. The next owner, not our vendor, pestered him repeatedly to sell the XJS to him. In the end, he relented, and a deal was done.   

Originally the intentions were good. Recommission the Jaguar and enjoy it. He knew this great car was being wasted in a dusty garage.    

That was around 2020. Whilst some work was carried out, slowly, the honest reality was, that he was probably not going to use the Jaguar as he first expected to. It was time to let it go.  

Our vendor, Mike, purchased this XJS and promptly set about the work needed with pace. He is a self-confessed Jaguar enthusiast and describes himself as being ‘passionate about Jaguars’. However, he cannot ‘justify storing so many cars’. 

Mechanicals 

• 5.3-litre V12 engine 
• GM 400 Automatic gearbox 
• 245bhp 
• 0-60 in under eight seconds 
• 150mph top speed, apparently 

When a car remains in production for 21 years it has to be a good car. This is a GT car. Designed to take you to Geneva or the golf club and getting out as fresh as when you climbed into it.  

The XJS is marvellously engineered to do just that. The V12 has turbine-like power yet whisper-quiet even at three figure speeds. The independent rear suspension keeps all the power planted. The double wishbone front suspension makes sure the XJS goes wherever you point that wonderfully power assisted steering wheel. By spending in excess of £2,500 this year with knowledgeable experts, our vendor has ironed out the wrinkles too. We’ll list a couple of headlines 

• Rear handbrake overhauled 
• New rear brake pads 
• Kick down switch replaced 
• Welding to front subframe mounts 
• All twelve plugs changed (do no under-estimate how long this takes!) 
• ABS warning light on now dealt with 
• Sump gasket replaced 

Mike tells us the XJS ‘drives wonderfully’ 

Inside 

Slip into the sculptured sports seats behind the long, sculptured bonnet and first impressions are that the car smells just right. That’s probably due to copious amounts of leather and wood, of course, but it’s more than that. Climb into, say, a BMW 635. It isn’t a patch on the Jaguar XJS. 

The driving position itself is good. Everything falls neatly to hand with many of the controls either chromed or set in wood veneer. On the road, the steering is surprisingly light. You’ll need time to get used to the high degree of power steering assistance that is on offer before you can fully appreciate the surprising levels of roadholding and grip engineered into this grand tourer. 

• The usual saggy headlining has been replaced 
• The driver’s window was inoperative, that is now sorted 
• Horn replaced 
• New period radio sourced and fitted 
• Headlamp wash-wipe now functions as it should 
• Boot and bonnet stays replaced 
• A set of original leather seats are included in the sale 

A number of other bits and bobs have been done, but you start to get a picture of what our vendor has done to make this an enjoyable car. 

Outside 

With its long low bonnet line, lozenge-shaped headlights and swoopy rear buttresses, there is no mistaking the XJS for anything else is there? A pair of long doors and a low-cut roofline shift the balance of compromises by making packaging subordinate to visual appeal. Let’s face it; this is a very appealing and indulgent coupe. 

• In Arctic Blue 
• TWR colour coded body kit 
• Alloys wheels in good condition 
• The brightwork looks fine 
• The matte black exterior trim work is surprisingly good 
• Our vendor recently carried out remedial work on the windscreen scuttle 

This XJS was reportedly repainted prior to storage. Probably because it did go into storage it still looks good today. The shut lines are precise and clear. It does look good. Take a look at the images and you decide. Under the bonnet appears as solid as the exterior.  

Summary 

The Jaguar XJS is firmly established on the classic scene. Finding a good one can take time, there are plenty out there. Avoid the temptation to buy a rough one. Find a decent one and you’ll have an extraordinary classic car that you’ll get immense enjoyment from. 

Most comparisons to the E-type are incorrect. However, where would we agree, is the price trend. Unobtainable to start with. Then they could be picked up for a song. Now looks where E-types are. Whilst the XJS remains amazingly value, similarities between the XJS and E-type are clear. Especially top-of-the-range V12s.