1985 Jaguar XJ-SC 3.6

This immaculate and very original 1985 XJS-C 3.6 is a pre-production car, currently part of a private collection, and it comes with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) certificate of authenticity and an astonishingly detailed history.

It’s covered just 26,474 miles in its 37 years and has the rare manual Getrag five-speed gearbox fitted. The XJS-C marked the start of Jaguar’s return to its sports car roots and the 3.6-litre AJ6 engine with the Getrag 5-speed gearbox made it a real driver’s car. This example is in great condition.

While the E-Type’s Jaguar XK engine is a classic, it was designed during World War 2 and, especially in late spec 4.2-litre guise, it wears out quickly by modern standards. And Jaguar’s sumptuous V12 is a wonderful thing, but it struggles to return more than 15mpg even in later HE spec. The 3.6-litre AJ6 straight six, on the other hand, will easily cover three times the mileage of an XK engine before needing any work, and can manage more than 30mpg on a run. So a classic Jaguar coupé with this engine really is a very good thing indeed.

In fact we’d go as far as saying that this car represents the peak of XJ-S development. It has the most useable engine and, coupled with the excellent Getrag manual gearbox, it’s a proper driver’s car that any E-Type owner would enjoy getting behind the wheel of.

The Tudor White paintwork is beautiful. Save for some tiny marks on the trailing edge of the driver’s door, and a small stone chip repair on the bonnet’s leading edge & some small microblistering on the rear flanks, we struggled to find any major faults with the bodywork, which could easily pass as three years old, let alone 37.

The Targa roof panels and convertible top look to be in beautiful condition too. All the chrome work, particularly the bumpers are in excellent condition. The starfish alloy wheels are corrosion-free and shod in the correct Pirelli tyres.

Apart from some slight surface corrosion on some of the plated steel and alloy parts, the engine bay is in lovely condition. The under bonnet sound deadening has been repaired at some point but otherwise the area is stunning.

The owner reports that the 3.6-litre AJ6 4-valve per cylinder engine has been fastidiously maintained throughout its life, and this is backed up by the car’s history file. The all alloy engine is mated to a five-speed Getrag manual gearbox. Both have an excellent reputation for reliability and at this mileage there’s no reason to expect them to be in anything other than excellent order.

The IRS and back axle are also reported to be in excellent condition – as you would expect given the low mileage. The air conditioning system is in full working order and blows cold air.

Climb inside the big coupé and you’ll find the Mulberry red leather seats are in lovely condition – as are the walnut veneer dash and door top inlays, which haven’t faded or cracked. The carpets too show little signs of use and the rare Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) steering wheel is unmarked. The owner reports that the trip computer works – as do all the car’s electrical items.

Although there are some light scuffs on the passenger door pocket, the boot looks as though it’s never been used and the interior generally is in astonishing condition for a 37 year old car that hasn’t been restored. The Jaguar tool kit is present and correct, including a selection of spare bulbs.

Time warp is a term bandied around too easily, but in this instance it’s entirely appropriate.

The Jag’s underside is still wearing what looks very much like its factory underseal. Apart from some surface corrosion on the standard exhaust system there’s nothing untoward under here, and everything looks to be in very sound shape.

This XJS-C 3.6 manual has a meticulously researched history – confirmed by factory records – which reveal this car is a key part of Jaguar’s heritage. First registered in 1985 and delivered in 1986 to a local bakery owner, it was actually built in 1983. Originally built as a left-hand drive car, it was converted by the factory from to right-hand-drive, and the chassis numbers confirm it is a genuine pre-production model.

The first owner chose to select the rare TWR steering wheel option. From then, every part of the car’s history has been kept in an archive folder including tax discs and correspondence with Jaguar. It confirms the 26,474 miles as genuine. It is currently part of a private collection and the owner reports it has no faults.

The service records show it has been maintained religiously and used sparingly. All the factory brochures, manuals, the quality card, service guarantee and more have also been retained and come with the car.

There’s a massive selection of old tax discs and MoT certificates with the car, going right back to 1988, plus a stack of old service records and bills for maintenance work.

Classic Jag values only go one way and now that E Type values place it beyond the reach of mere mortals, XJ-S prices are set to rise accordingly.

Pre-production models rarely survive and one with an unbroken history is almost unheard of. This pre-production XJ-SC is an incredible part of Jaguar’s heritage, and in this original condition presents what is very likely a unique opportunity.

We estimate for this Jaguar to reach anywhere between £11,000 - £16,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.