1985 Jaguar XJS HE Auto

Finished in Claret with a Doeskin hide interior, ‘SC5656’ is in storage in Spain and described by the seller as ‘a light project’, which makes it one of our more interesting propositions.

With just 81,000 miles on the clock, this Jaguar XJS was bought new by the seller’s father back in 1985 and has lived out there for the past 15 years. It’s been parked in a garage for a good few years now too, which means it’s been kept out of direct sunlight and is in a remarkably well-preserved condition as a result.

Being offered with no reserve, this is your chance to buy the rust-free XJS you’ve spent the last couple of decades searching for… 

The Claret paintwork (colour code CEA) is in a decent condition with a nice shine to it thanks to having been polished by the seller every year since it’s been in storage. 

Its lustre is enhanced with good chromework, and the overall impression is of a tidy, well cared for car whose patina is advanced.

The factory alloy wheels are in a decent condition, and they’re fitted with what looks like a matching set of Dunlop SP Sport tyres. That bodes well, of course, but we should point out that we haven’t been able to assess their age or condition from the photos.

The oval headlamps are in a good condition, which is important as they’re becoming hard to find, which is why you see so many displaying the NAS twin jobbies.

As for the work that needs doing, there are multiple chips, scratches, and marks, some of which you could buff and ignore while some will need some more intensive remedial work. There is some missing lacquer, too.

There are a few dinks along the flanks, and the wheelarches, the front spoiler, and the front bumper all need attention. And yet, for all its cosmetic faults, the rust and rot you associate with the model seems to be absent. 

That’s not to say you won’t find the odd bit, like the tiny amount you can see starting to form on the lower edge of the nearside front wing where it’s taken a knock, but structural corrosion is the thing to watch on these and this one, as far as we can see from the photos, seems to be incredibly solid thanks to that sunny lifestyle.

The Doeskin leather interior (trim code AEE) is every bit as nice as the exterior, which is to say it’s showing its age a little (aren’t we all…) but, apart from the usual wear to the outer edge of the driver’s seat, it’s in a remarkably good condition with a taut headlining, good door cards, decent carpets, and some very nice walnut veneer trim.

The leather steering wheel needs cleaning but it benefits from a gorgeous amber and gold Jaguar badge in the centre, which should be ample compensation for any detailing that needs doing; the grime and mildew from its time in storage obscures what looks to be a very nice example.

Look at the lettering on the instruments and controls, for example, which is vivid and bright. It’s still got what looks like the original Clarion radio-cassette player, too. This is a very original example, and originality is the thing collectors prize over all else.

The leather seats and trim is in a good condition, even if it is a little jaded; while the Spanish sun has helped preserve the coachwork, it does tend to dry out leather interiors, so you might want to stock up on hide food and then break out the elbow grease.

The boot is a little more worn than the rest of the interior and we can see the new owner will probably want to fit replacement carpets in there to bring it up to the same high standard as everything else. 

Again, the engine bay is in a decent condition, a condition that would probably rise to good, or even very good, with some cleaning. 

As for the undercarriage, if you look past the cobwebs, you’ll see a remarkably straight and solid car. We are wary of ever describing a car as being completely free of rust but this one certainly looks to have dodged the usual rot and corrosion that plaques the model; while we can see a little rust here and there, it looks to be superficial and extremely limited in scope.

Sadly, it doesn’t start so it will need to be trailered away.

Being in Spain, the XJs doesn’t have a current MoT certificate and there is no online history that it’s ever been issued with one here, which is what you’d expect to see if a car had been in Spain for the past fifteen years.

The XJS comes with two files of paperwork, which is, again, exactly what you’d expect to see of a car that’s been in the hands of the same family since it was new.

Modern classics like this offer an awful lot for the canny enthusiasts. With nigh-on modern handling, performance, and reliability they combine the romance of the iconic lines we love with what is usually a much easier ownership experience than older models – as long as you buy the right one, of course.

And this is a good example of the breed that offers the canny enthusiast the chance to get a solid example of much less than usual because we think this one will sell for between £5,000 and £8,000 but as it’s being sold with no reserve, who knows where the virtual hammer will fall.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in San Roque, Cadiz, Spain. 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’.