1992 Jaguar XJS Coupé

51 Bids Winner - richardg12
1:48 PM, 01 Oct 2024Vehicle sold
Sold for

£12,303.40

(inc. Buyer’s Premium)
Winner - richardg12
consigner image

Paul's review

Paul Hegarty - Consignment Specialist Message Paul

“ Featured in the Jaguar Drivers Club magazine on several occasions. Long-term ownership. ”

Enhanced full stainless exhaust system with high flow Catalysts

Background

Oh, lovely, lovely Jaguar. You’ve given us some mightily good cars over the years. Your Marks, XKs and different Types have beguiled and entranced a good many of the British and Worldwide motoring public.

Top of the tree? That’s subjective, but many would no doubt go for the E Type. Enzo Ferrari may, or may not, have called it “the most beautiful car in the world”, but that’s what the new XJ-S had to follow in 1975.

Misunderstood at first, the new beast was in fact more of a smooth GT than an out-and-out sports car. It offered the imperious XJ12’s suspension, brakes and majestic fuel-injected V12 engine in a sporting 2+2 package.

There was no doubt about its ability, but aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer’s long-flanked and flying buttresses-endowed styling took a while to be accepted.

However, once they were, the model went from strength to strength; not only would it last an incredible 21 years in production (thanks to some wonderfully transformative facelifts), it would also come to become a defining icon of the 1980s, before powering into the next decade too.

Refined and supremely planted (it made a cracking race car), today it’s transitioned to become a truly great classic car. The 4.0-litre six-cylinder cars gained a reputation as the sportiest of the lot.

The terrific Flamenco Red example on offer below is fresh from 26 years of meticulous enthusiast ownership and comes with an interesting Jaguar Drivers’ Club provenance, having been loaned to it as a road test model when new and appeared in the Club magazine on several additional occasions.

Key Facts


  • JDC Member Owner
  • Key Upgrades
  • High Spec.

  • SAJJNAED3EK183556
  • 65000 miles
  • 3980cc
  • auto
  • Flamenco Red
  • Doeskin Hide
  • Right-hand drive
  • Petrol

Vehicle location
Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, United Kingdom

Background

Oh, lovely, lovely Jaguar. You’ve given us some mightily good cars over the years. Your Marks, XKs and different Types have beguiled and entranced a good many of the British and Worldwide motoring public.

Top of the tree? That’s subjective, but many would no doubt go for the E Type. Enzo Ferrari may, or may not, have called it “the most beautiful car in the world”, but that’s what the new XJ-S had to follow in 1975.

Misunderstood at first, the new beast was in fact more of a smooth GT than an out-and-out sports car. It offered the imperious XJ12’s suspension, brakes and majestic fuel-injected V12 engine in a sporting 2+2 package.

There was no doubt about its ability, but aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer’s long-flanked and flying buttresses-endowed styling took a while to be accepted.

However, once they were, the model went from strength to strength; not only would it last an incredible 21 years in production (thanks to some wonderfully transformative facelifts), it would also come to become a defining icon of the 1980s, before powering into the next decade too.

Refined and supremely planted (it made a cracking race car), today it’s transitioned to become a truly great classic car. The 4.0-litre six-cylinder cars gained a reputation as the sportiest of the lot.

The terrific Flamenco Red example on offer below is fresh from 26 years of meticulous enthusiast ownership and comes with an interesting Jaguar Drivers’ Club provenance, having been loaned to it as a road test model when new and appeared in the Club magazine on several additional occasions.

Video

Overview

The current owner enjoyed the XJS for just over a quarter of a century during which time it covered some 31,000 miles. It was in very good original condition when purchased and has never been restored; however, the overall specification has been enhanced with the addition of 16” Jaguar option wheels, aftermarket cruise control and a ‘Laserline’ alarm with additional immobiliser (the latter satisfying Insurance category 1 requirements). Additionally, performance and throttle response have been upgraded with the addition of an AJ6 Engineering ‘Plus Torque’ kit, which gives increased low-speed torque; a full stainless steel exhaust system which includes high-flow twin catalysts, a six-branch manifold with heat wrapping, all increasing efficiency and reducing under-bonnet temperatures. This set-up runs remarkably cleanly, always sailing through its emissions test.

The suspension has also been enhanced with a sports package, which gives improved turn-in response and general handling agility.

The underside of the car has been very regularly inspected [the current owner has a vehicle lift installed at his home], ensuring that no structural deterioration occurred. The car has been continuously garaged during his ownership with a dehumidifier always in operation, specifically also avoiding any use during winter conditions. Having been driven entirely for pleasure, the owner participated in many Jaguar Drivers’ Club events with the car, including numerous trips to France, always proving to be 100 per cent reliable in that time.

However, due to a significant change in personal circumstances, the car has seen little use in the last 10 years, that said, as previously it has been very frequently inspected, only started if also being driven for at least 10 miles and with all fluids changed every two years regardless of mileage.

With other major projects on the go, the Family thinks it’s now time for another discerning XJS fan to enjoy this car, believing that it should be used for which it was designed and also that this car will give many more years of good service, with just the regular TLC which it has seen so far.

Exterior

Visually as a classic car proposition, the Jaguar XJS is now fully in its stride. Its long flanks, low front end and flying buttress endowed rear end combine to lend it a beguiling outline. It’s hard to stop images of TWR racing variants coming to mind. This example’s Flamenco Red paintwork lends it a classier disposition than the racers and contrasts nicely with the chrome-work and 16” five-spoke alloy wheels. Generally, the paint finish is in very good condition with a lovely depth of colour and arrow-straight pin striping. It has picked up a few minor marks here and there during use, such as a small number towards the front of the bonnet – remember, this car isn’t a garage queen and has been enjoyed.

Panel fit appears tight, while the bumper plastics, and front lip spoiler all retain a deep black hue. Wheel arches, door bottoms and sills all present immaculately.

Sadly, it can be seen in the photographs that the windscreen, which the owner believes to be original, has begun to delaminate. It hasn’t quite encroached into the driver’s field of view as yet but is becoming noticeable around the offside top edge of the screen, so it may be time for a replacement.

The desirable optional alloy wheels remain spotless and are shod in matching rubber, each tyre with plenty of tread remaining. In summary, this is one clean big cat.

Interior

You can tell a lot from a classic car’s interior and this one doesn’t lie because it is in fabulous condition, and indicative of both the mechanical and general standard of care that the XJS has been privy to.

“The Doeskin interior is entirely original and has been treated with ‘Hide Food’ occasionally to keep it in its first-class condition. The air conditioning (originally R12 gas) was overhauled less than three years ago and converted to R134A gas with the addition of a new compressor, pipes, condenser and control valve.

“Lifting carpets all around the interior reveals a dry and original factory paint finish and again, with no signs of rust. The owner chose to add a convenience spare wheel, which incidentally has never had to be used during his ownership and which enhances the available luggage space.

The leather seats, carpets and wood veneers are all excellent; whilst up top, the headlining retains a good grip on the surface of the roof panel – something that’s not always the case in an XJS.

Pop the boot and you will find a clean environment finished in matching carpet, as well as a full original toolkit.


Mechanical

The current owner assures us that the engine is in excellent running order with good oil pressure hot and cold and that he always insisted on 0-40 grade fully synthetic Castrol Edge oil, reporting also that oil consumption is so low that it has always gone from service to service without requiring a top-up. Fuel consumption too is remarkably low for its class, achieving 24mpg locally and often as much as 32mpg on a long run.

The automatic gearbox has performed faultlessly throughout the current ownership, with the fluid being changed approximately twice as often as stated in the Jaguar’s schedule. The limited-slip differential runs silently without oil leaks and similarly has benefitted from more regular changes than required – it should be noted that this requires a special oil specification.

The engine bay paintwork appears to remain as the factory finish and the engine itself has been kept as reasonably clean as can be expected, given that it’s been used on a number of long road trips. There is, of course, the usual minor surface abrasions on the suspension arms etc, as it is inevitable that they suffer stone hits.

The XJS has also very recently had a new battery fitted (receipt provided).


History

The included V5c document confirms the Jaguar’s first date of UK Registration as 05/05/1992 and that it has had a total of five owners from new.

Also present in the history file is the car’s current MOT test certificate, completed on 28/08/2024 and which runs until 27/08/2025. A quick online check of its MOT test history reveals a run of clean passes stretching back to 2006; something that’s indicative of the level of care and attention that this car has received.

The original service book identified Merritts Jaguar Ltd of London Road, Amersham, Bucks, as the original supplying dealer. It has an immaculate service history with stamps found inside including:

• 11/06/92 – first service @ 964 miles, Merritts Jaguar
• 29/12/92 – 7,717 miles, Merritts Jaguar
• 13/09/93 – 17,978 miles, Harwoods of Pulborough Jaguar Daimler
• 10/06/94 – 29,862 miles, Colliers of Sutton Coldfield Jaguar Daimler
• 21/12/94 – 30,313 miles, Colliers of Sutton Coldfield Jaguar Daimler
• 02/03/96 31,032 miles, J.A.G, Jaguar Daimler Specialist, Wolverhampton
• 13/05/97 32,195 miles, J.A.G, Jaguar Daimler Specialist, Wolverhampton
• 18/08/98 34,407 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist (including Tx fluid and Diff oil)
• 12/11/99 37,973 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 14/12/00 43,331 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 16/10/01 49,669 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 07/12/02 52,240 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 12/03/03 54,636 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 09/04/04 56,825 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 14/06/05 58,411 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 11/05/06 59,228 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 08/06/07 60,017 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 10/03/09 61,146 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 08/05/10 61,936 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist
• 02/05/14 63,427 miles, Greenwood Automotive Services Jaguar & Mercedes Specialist

Also present are multiple sets of keys, the Jaguar Multi-Disc compact disc unit and copies of the JDC articles that the car has appeared in.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this Jaguar XJS is in excellent original condition and has been wonderfully maintained by all of its owners.

Summary

With a service history par excellence, a meticulous engineer owner for the last 26 years and a host of tasteful/sensible upgrades this is one stunning example of a four-litre XJS.

Yes, due to a change in the owners life circumstances, it hasn’t seen as much action in the last 10 years but that hasn’t resulted in any reduction in the car’s superlative maintenance and upkeep schedule.

If you’re looking for an example that has been enjoyed, yet treated with both mechanical and servicing sympathy then the proof is there to be seen in the history file.

We think that this lovely example will fetch somewhere between £10,000 and £15,000, which seems to us to be bordering on a wholesale heist given the car’s lovely condition.

Be assured, this big Jag’s next owner is getting quite a car.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. 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’.

About this auction

Seller

Private: Cooldrummer


Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

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