2004 Jaguar XJR

‘LJ04 ZAZ’ spent its first 15 years being pampered in the car-friendly climate of Japan, dodging the winter salt that causes so many problems over here.

And, while so many of that country’s exports lose their paperwork because of GDPR, this one must have slipped through the net as it still has them in its history file. 

It arrived back in Blighty in December 2019 and, clearly besotted by his aluminium super saloon, the Jaguar’s only UK owner spent thousands on maintaining it – and six years later decided to part-exchange it for another Japan-market Jaguar from the same dealer.

Which is quite the recommendation, but then the dealer not only sourced an immaculate car with a comprehensive paper trail, he also converted it to full UK-spec, a lengthy and expensive job that included a miles-per-hour speedometer, UK radio frequencies and mapping, full-size numberplate plinth, and more.

Meticulously serviced in recent years, it needed only a machine-polish and its alloy wheels refurbished to get it ready for sale; thus fettled, it’s ready to thrill and delight its new owner in the same way it captivated its last.

Selling a gloss black classic is always going to present some challenges because even the most obsessive curation isn’t going to prevent it highlighting every blemish and flaw with a divorce solicitor’s ruthlessness.

And yet, when a car has been looked after this well, including a recent four-stage machine polish, few colours highlight the XJR’s lithe and powerful lines better.

Of course, being constructed of aluminium rust isn’t an issue and, on this example, neither is panel alignment. Or the condition of the lamp lenses. Or its badges. Or the glazing. Or the classic mesh radiator grille that’s topped by the iconic Leaper. Even the door apertures, the bits almost everyone forgets to clean, are spotless.

And all four puddle lights work. 

It really is in an exceptional condition, freeing the gloss black hue to add its own layer of menace to a car that’s not exactly PG-rated in the first place.

As we mentioned earlier, the 19-inch alloy wheels have been refurbished, and the five-double-spoke design allows passersby to appreciate the size of the brake discs and calipers that lie behind them. Those with an eye for detail might also spot the Davanti DX640 tyres (build date 2023) on the rear and Westlake Sport SA-37 (build date 2024) on the front. 

Of course, apart of the inevitable swirls and fine scratches every black car has, the XJR has picked up a few more marks over the years: the front and rear bumpers have been touched up, as have some of the pieces of door trim; there are small spots of corrosion around the windows; there is a scuff to the lower section of the offside front bumper, with flat paint to the nearside; some marks to the boot lid, with loose plastic trim to the same panel and sticky residue within the aperture; and the front numberplate has delaminated.

The cabin’s Charcoal leather upholstery is lightened by the presence of elm veneer, a brighter option than the burr walnut lesser models had to make do with.

There’s red stitching too, which is, as you’d expect, still neat and mm-perfect. The leather they hold together is almost completely free of damage and wear too, but then the interior tends to last well.

This one still has firm and comfortable seats, very good carpets, one of the clearest dashboards in the business, and an unrivalled air of luxury; while you might be able to find a more soothing place to sit, none will be able to propel you with the ferocity of an XJR.

And when you’re not bending the laws of physics, you’ll be able to enjoy the usual suite of toys including electric windows, air-conditioning, heated front and rear seats, a plethora of Alpine speakers, and a good sprinkling of cupholders.

Plus, lashings of soft hide, a smattering of chrome accents, and acres of elm trim; this is a car that’s as tactile as it is beautiful.

The boot is huge, but then there are few better ways of shuttling four people and their luggage across entire continents than an X350. As for its condition, it is every bit as clean as the rest of the interior and hosts a space-saver spare wheel 

As for flaws, apart from the inevitable fine creases to the seats, there is a red mark on the passenger seat backrest, and the headlining is starting to come away at the rear.

The horn doesn’t work either, and nor do the parking sensors. Oh, and the air-conditioning isn’t as cold as it should be.

The Jaguar’s service and maintenance history is recorded as follows:

• 17.02.2005 and 7,075 miles – service and Shaken inspection by Jaguar Yokohama
• 15.02.2006 and 7,632 miles – service and Shaken inspection by Jaguar Yokohama
• 23.02.2006(?) and 13,900 miles – service and Shaken inspection by Jaguar Yokohama
• 30.07.2016 and 27,935 miles – inspection by Matt Motors of Yokohama
• 22.05.2020 and 60,503 miles – recharge the air-conditioning and fit a new gear selector switch by Chartist Garage Services
• 16.10.2020 and 61,153 miles – new sensor fitted by Chartist Garage Services
• 26.10.2020 and (unknown) miles – new suspension pump fitted by XJ Motor Services
• 20.11.2020 and 64,185 miles – service plus new rear track control arms, front ‘banana’ bushes, four new tyres, and more by XJ Motor Services
• 10.08.2021 and 68,782 miles – new suspension bush fitted by Chartist Garage Services
• 24.09.2021 and 71,107 miles – service by Chartist Garage Services
• 22.12.2022 and 81,835 miles – new steering wishbone fitted by Chartist Garage Services
• 14.11.2024 and 90,789 miles – upper arms x 3, new brake pads all round, and two new tyres fitted by Chartist Garage Services

We understand the Mechatronic seals were also replaced, which enthusiasts will know is not a cheap job, so the fact this one has been done should mean you won’t have to look it again for a good long while.

As you can see, the 4.2-litre supercharged V8 starts, idles, and revs like the thoroughbred it is. The seller assures us that it also “runs and drives very well”, something our photographer can confirm…

The engine and underbonnet space are clean without being obsessive; you aren’t going to be worried about driving it in adverse weather but then it’s still clean enough that you aren’t going to need to spend an hour in a Swarfega-filled bath after checking the oil.

If we’re being picky then the underbonnet sound-insulating pad is a little rumpled but the fact we’re even mentioning that tells you all you need to know about everything else…

As for the underside, while there is winter grime on there, the actual structure is impressive bar some untidiness where the car has been jacked up in the wrong spot, rippling the metal sills and damaging the trim.

The Jaguar’s MoT, which is valid until November 2026, was issued with no advisories.

The recent vehicle history check is clear bar the marker for being an imported car, and the V5 registration document shows just one former UK keeper. 

The service history has been summarised in English across two pages for those of you who don’t speak Japanese, and the XJR comes with the Jaguar wallet and full book pack, a bunch of invoices and expired MoT certificates, a Veloce buyer’s guide, and a copy of Jekyll, the hard-backed brochure that sells for a tidy sum all by itself these days.

The Jaguar XJR achieved semi-mythical status when it was new, and the passage of more than a decade has done nothing to dim that; an ultra-quick, super-saloon capable of destroying continents in a single sitting, it also soothes and cossets as only a Jaguar can.

The aluminium superstructure and body also rule out the sort of rust and corrosion that has killed more big cats that the Trump brothers, and servicing costs are more reasonable than you might imagine.

All of which should add up to a suitably impressive price tag. 

However, despite its impressive condition and history, we estimate this one will only sell for between £8,000 and £10,000 – and as it is being offered with no reserve, it might go for even less than that.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET, HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.