1977 Jaguar XJS V12

This pre-HE V12 XJ-S was originally supplied to the USA; hence its unmistakable impact-absorbing bumpers. According to the vendor, this Jaguar was kept by the same lady owner from new in 1977 right up to 2007. Subsequent Stateside owners retained it until 2022 when it was imported back to the UK. That’s where the vendor snapped it up, bringing it over to Germany, where it currently resides.

Again, according to the vendor, the car’s paint and mileage are both original. The condition certainly implies that those minimal recorded miles might be legit, though without the paperwork from the USA – which sadly hasn’t made the journey with the car – we can’t offer any guarantees. This Jaguar has very clearly been doted upon as its current condition speaks volumes, but there’s also evidence of recent servicing and remedial work underneath.

The vendor also adds (via Google translate) that: “The Jaguar starts very easily, it drives, turns and brakes. The tyres are in good condition with little wear and the engine makes a very regular and pleasant noise. The Jaguar was mainly exhibited in collections and taken out to participate in classic car events.”

Signal Red, as the name suggests, certainly makes its presence known. There’s little point in having a big GT in such a provocative shade if a closer inspection lets the side down. Thankfully, that’s not the case here, as the finish on this Jaguar seems to remain excellent. There’s a mirror-like shine to the bonnet and side profiles – a little less so (due to some orange peel) on the roof, but it’s still very presentable and likely passed Leyland’s quality control when new.

There’s little by way of blots to this Jaguar’s score card, though we did notice a small dent to the offside front wing and a small crease to the nearside rear three-quarter panel. The rear window seal has also split and cracked in various places. Generally, however, the paint, chrome and trim on this XJ-S look appear to remain in fine order – panel shuts look particularly good.

The original and attractive barrel-type dials remain and it’s all the better for it. We weren’t sure if it was just warming up and low on fuel, but we couldn’t see any movement in the coolant or fuel gauges, but the vendor doesn’t report them to be at fault. There’s also a (thought to be original) Fujitsu car phone sitting within the centre console, which was very much state of the art in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Someone has also since added a quality aftermarket Alpine stereo with an amplifier in the boot.

The door cards and seats look great, with very few signs of wear, beyond some basic patina. There are a few marks to the headlining, though nothing too severe, and at least it hasn’t succumbed to the forces of gravity as so many lesser examples have by now. Carpets also look thoroughly decent, aside from some threadbare patches in the front. Aside from some very minor tears to the rear door card (nearside), plus C-pillar trims starting to sag, the trim in this XJ-S has survived its 47 years remarkably well.

We haven’t had the chance to sample this XJ-S from behind the wheel, but the vendor reports the following: “The lamps, horn, indicators, radio, clock, heating and ventilation all work. This Jaguar is equipped with exhaust catalysts to correspond with American emission standards from the early 2000s. This allows easy management of anti-pollution standards, including in Europe. This Jaguar has always been very well maintained over the years, but given its low use recently, if the new owner wanted to drive it regularly, an oil change to the transmission might be necessary; though the oil is still nice and red. 

“The power-steering pump isn’t currently powering the system, so the steering is a bit stiff, especially when manoeuvring. The previous owner had planned to change it (replacement rack included in the sale) but was unable to complete the job, due to health problems. All you have to do is install the rack, connect the two pump hoses (present) and re-attach the pump drive belt (also supplied).”

In addition to the above, we noticed a little fraying to the protective coverings of pipework in the engine bay here and there; plus a few flexible pipes overdue replacement (especially those from the brake fluid reservoir). Underneath, this Jaguar looks straight and solid with plenty of wax oil protection still visible. Those aforementioned signs of replacement parts can be seen on the front axle; copper ease on the brake pad sliders, fresh grease on the bottom of the front hubs and safety wire on the hub bolts.

Again, we don’t have a lot to go on here, from what little documentation we’ve seen, but the vendor paints this picture of his Jaguar’s past: “The various owners have driven this Jaguar very little, which explains its low mileage. A service was carried out by a UK specialist last year (presumably 2022), with various parts changed including the coils, distribution cables, spark plugs, distributor, oil filter and engine oil. This Jaguar was imported into Germany and customs duties and taxes were paid for its use in Europe. The documents provided are a V5, original English registration certificate, Jaguar driver's booklet, some parts and service invoices.”

The early XJ-S has started to gain enthusiast attention in recent years. For a long time, it was the over-looked bargain of the range, but no more. With its lusty 5.3-litre V12 and what now seems like simple, clean lines, there’s an awful lot to find endearing about this once misunderstood Coventry GT. 

Few machines of the era can match this Jaguar’s mix of talents. Its performance, looks and comfort really puts it within pretty select company of some desirable machines. This one seems to have been well-cared for with very little work left to make it tip-top.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of €15,000 - €20,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Kehl, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.