1994 Jaguar XJS 4.0 Auto

This facelift model XJS 4L Coupe was supplied new in August 1994. With just four previous keepers to date, the XJS has been very lightly used over the 15 years or so. The MoT history suggests that just 5,000 or so miles have been covered since 2008. The previous owner retained the XJS for over 12 years where it formed part of a small collection during which time it was fastidiously dry stored and very lightly used.

Our current owner acquired the Jaguar at a Bonhams Cars Online auction in December 2023. Only around 1,000 miles has been covered since then. As a result, this is a fine example of the esteemed model with just 70,000 miles and five owners to date. Together with a full service history and a popular and attractive colourway this Jaguar, further working the feline analogies, should appeal like catnip to Jaguar lovers and connoisseurs.

The changes to the XJS’s bodywork associated with the 1991 facelift appear to be modest. Despite this, 180 of the XJS’s 490 panels were either new or modified. The key driver of these changes wasn’t a new look but, rather, a new, significantly more modern manufacturing process with Ford laser focussed on improving the build quality of the XJS and other Jaguars. It worked.

Our car presents in bright and vibrant Flamenco Red which is a much-loved staple for XJSs of this vintage. The condition of the original paintwork is very good indeed, again, pointing to fastidious ownership and storage across all its owners. The visible portion of those 490 panels exude a lustrous shine, and the paintwork appears thick and smoothly applied. There is the odd light mark in evidence if you look very hard, but it remains impressive for a thirty-year-old car.

Light lenses, and those original front ellipses are a purist’s dream, are clean, clear and undamaged. The cabin glass is equally good with the subtle, original “XJS” decals noted on the rear edges of the rear side windows. All the original marque and model badges are present and a chromed, Jaguar leaper is fitted to the bonnet’s leading edge.

The XJS rests on the original 7J x 16-inch, five spoke light alloy wheels. These appear to be in an excellent overall condition with no significant kerb-rash or dings noted. These are centred with Jaguar head centre caps and wear a mixed set of quality Pirelli and Michelin tyres in a 225/55 configuration.

Like the exterior, not too much changed in the cabin with the advent of the 1991 facelift. The most immediately obvious change is the instrument binnacle looking much more akin to the XJ40’s article than the XJS’s earlier, aircraft style barrel gauges.

This example is finished with Magnolia hued leather. The deeply bolstered front sports seats are arranged into horizontal, padded box pleats for optimal support and comfort. The condition of the leather is excellent with even the, usually vulnerable, driver’s bolster appearing admirably free from wear. The front seats are electrically adjustable by multi-button controls situated on the doors. The rear cabin is identically trimmed and in excellent condition. The rear seats look like they’ve never been used, which they probably haven’t due to their compact dimensions.

The top and bottom rolls of the dashboard are finished in a magnolia hue. The central section is finished with luxurious looking burr walnut veneer. The XJ40-esque gauges sit behind the original, four-spoke black Jaguar steering wheel. The centre console houses the heating and ventilation controls, and a retrofitted Kenwood head unit is also fitted here. Door cards are finished in leather, walnut veneer and panels woollen carpet. The original woollen carpets are finished in a contrasting mushroom shade and are edge bound for added durability.

Under the long, sleek bonnet lies the 4.0-litre AJ6 engine that was first seen in the XJ40 from 1989 and replaced the 3.6-litre AJ6 engine in the XJS from 1991. The extra displacement was achieved by lengthening the stroke of the 3.6, which increased the power from 199bhp to 223bhp. To increase refinement, the engine featured redesigned pistons and a forged steel crankshaft instead of cast iron, while a revised cam profile with increased lift and reduced overlap improved both low-end torque and idle stability. The 4.0-litre had the option of the Getrag’s 290 five-speed manual or, as in this case, ZF’s new 4HP24 four-speed automatic transmission.

The under-bonnet presentation of this XJS underscores the care and attention it seems to have received with everything here looking clean and fresh with no leaks in evidence. The engine bay’s inner panels appear robust and undamaged. The underside of the car looks to be in keeping with the age and mileage of the car. Almost inevitably, there are some scuffs and scratches on the plastic painted parts where they have previously grounded.

The current V5 in the name of the owner is present as is the current MoT in hard copy. This is an advisory free item and is valid until February 2026. A replacement service booklet is present containing 12 stamps detailing services between 2004 and 2023. This most recent service was undertaken at 69,823 miles, a few hundred miles ago.

Other paperwork includes some invoices for parts procured and work undertaken. Two original Jaguar keys are also present.

In many ways the XJS was ahead of its time. It was just that the production methods and workforce of the mid 1970’s and early 1980’s didn’t do it justice. One of the benefits of its long production life was that the developments kept coming and, under Ford, the production methodologies finally caught up. For many the 4L coupe represents the most complete and satisfying exemplar of the breed offering a very pleasing performance to economy to running costs quotient.

This is a very fine XJS. It presents in one of the best and most popular colourways and is highly original in every respect. Its sensible original mileage and, clearly, light use results in an example which requires nothing attending to by the next owner. A strong service history should instil confidence making this a purchase that can satisfy both head and heart.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £8,000 - £12,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Bradford, West Yorkshire. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.