2019-04-24 16:49:23 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 5/19
www.silverstoneauctions.com/1991-jaguar-xj-s-he--le-mans--v12

Auction description:
The Sale of British Marques 2019
1991 Jaguar XJ-S HE ‘Le Mans’ V12
Lot No.: 432
Registration: H388 CSN
Chassis Number: SAJJNAEW3BM178589
Engine Number: 8S0821985G
Number of cylinders: 12
CC: 5343
Year of Manufacture: 1991
RHD/LHD: Right Hand Drive
Estimate (£): 15,000 - 20,000

To commemorate Jaguar's success at Le Mans in 1988 & 1990
Each of the 280 examples produced had special features and were individually numbered
Production number 223 of 280; fully restoration to an exacting standard
High-Efficiency (HE) engine as fitted to this car gives better economy, plus a power hike to 295bhp
Just 63,000 miles, vendor-owned for the last 10 years
Regency Red paintwork with TWR body-kit fitted from new

The car presented here is a 1991 Jaguar XJ-S (Series ll) HE ‘Le Mans’ V12, one of 280 limited-edition models built to commemorate Jaguar’s success at Le Mans in 1988 and again in 1990. The Le Mans model added extra leather trim, 'Le Mans' motifs on the headrests and foot plates, quad headlights, 'Growler' bonnet badge, 16" 'lattice' alloy wheels and a 'Le Mans' boot badge to the package. Each of the 280 examples produced was individually numbered. To quote the original sales brochure "’The Jaguar XJ-S Le Mans V12 Coupe - a rather special motorcar in celebration of a great British achievement. Each car will be hallmarked with a build number, a promise of lasting appreciation.''

This particular car is production number 223 (of the 280) and is presented in the classic colour combination of Regency Red paintwork with Cream Autolux leather (with Mulberry piping) seats. According to its accompanying Heritage Certificate its original owner was a Mr WHN Fairweather, when the car wore the appropriate registration number ‘WF 873'. It went on to be owned by similarly high-brow enthusiasts before being stored and subsequently rediscovered by our vendor some ten years ago; seeing its potential, the low mileage and the inherent quality, he set about a full restoration/recommissioning of the car, completed to an exacting standard and addressing the weakness these particular models are prone to. It has been owned and enjoyed by this private vendor ever since, at many a Jaguar Club event, and has now covered a conservative 63,000 miles. It drives particularly well, with our vendor delivering it to us, a journey of 300 miles which it covered effortlessly. These X-JS models feel like 'real cars', from a motoring era of hand-building/finishing and of engineering heft. Their lusty V12 power and smooth auto gear changes combine to make these Big Cats the last bastion of old school Jaguar GTs. This particular car is fitted with a genuine TWR body-kit from new, which were very in-vogue at the time, making this limited-addition model even more desirable