2023-02-13 14:59:17 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

themarket.bonhams.com/en/listings/jaguar/xjs-he/01a57535-1427-4c43-8b26-45afa96a ..._source=Market+Users&utm_campaign=03fe7d987f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_01_10 ...

Seller's description:

Seller sam a

Location: Manchester City Centre, United Kingdom

Seller Type: Private

Odometer Reading: 69427

Chassis Number: SAJJNAEW3BB170254

Engine: 5343 cc

Gearbox: Auto

Steering position: Right-hand drive

Colour: Signal Red

Interior: Magnolia Leather

Estimated Price: £15,000 - £20,000

Supplied on the 21st of August 1990 by Arthur Royles Jaguar, Wilmslow, this very period Signal Red XJ-S HE has seen just four previous keepers over its 69,427 miles in 33 years. The condition of the car can only be described as excellent inside and out, and as an added bonus, there is an extensive history file showing all the right signs of a well cared for car.

With just over 2,000 miles covered in the past 11 years and, on average, 200 miles a year for the past eight, it is safe to say the XJ-S has been used very little. Whilst not being driven, which incidentally only happens on dry days, the XJ-S is kept in a climate-controlled garage. Even with little use, it has still been taken for regular MoT tests to ensure it is in good order. Currently, the MoT has expired, but the vendor will be putting a fresh MoT on the car ready for the new custodian.

On the Outside

Finished in one of the brightest reds of all, Signal Red, a rare and desirable colour on an XJS, it remains in excellent condition. Some areas may possibly been touched up, but this would have been several years ago, as everything looks to blend in exceptionally well, making it very difficult to tell it’s even had any attention.

Starting at the front of the Jaguar, the TWR body kit bumper is in good condition with just a couple of small stone chips, as you would expect. The original Cibie headlights are free from cracks, and the chrome surround looks clear of tarnishing. The bonnet aligns as it should, and the grille is also in excellent condition with little tarnishing to the chrome.

Around to the flanks of the Jaguar, which is quite possibly the best profile of any XJ produced. The door shut lines match with an equal gap; the windows are all original and free from any apparent scratches; also in good condition are the window seals which show no signs of perishing, and the chrome trim is excellent. There are no dings or dents to mention. There is the odd, very small chip in a couple of places, as to be expected, but these are very minimal. The TWR kit side skirts are in good condition; there is a tiny split on one side where it attaches to the wheel arch.

Onto the rear, the signature TWR boot spoiler finishes the well-aligned boot lid which leads up the shapely rear quarters of the XJ-S to the narrow rear window. Again, the light clusters are free from any cracks, and again, like the rest of the car, the chrome trim is bright and clean.

Fitted with Jaguar Lattice wheels, these are in exceptional condition with no signs of corrosion. The tyres are matching Falken Ziex ZE310 and have a good amount of tread remaining.

On the Inside

The interior is finished with Magnolia leather for the seats and door cards. As a contest to the Signal Red, it looks fabulous. And when you open the doors, you will notice the door cards are in excellent order, as are the seats, which are fantastic with no real signs of wear other than a few minor creases, but definitely, less than you would expect for the age of the vehicle. The rear seats are also superb and don’t look to have been sat in very much at all.

Sitting behind the wheel of the XJ-S, the dashboard is free from any splits or cracks, and the instruments are working correctly, with 69,427 miles showing on the odometer. The Burr Walnut trim is in good condition across the dash, with no crazing or cracking to the lacquered finish. Lower down and the car comes with a trip computer which is said to be working correctly; the switches on either side are in good condition with no signs of excessive wear. There is a JVC Cassette head-unit fitted with a boot-mounted CD multi-changer. The walnut trim surrounding the gear lever does have a small crack towards the back edge, but this isn’t very noticeable.

The carpets are in excellent condition with no noticeable wear to the usual driver's heel pad area, and there is also a set of mats fitted. The headlining, usually a Jaguar weak spot, sits nice and tight with no sagging or signs of any stains.

Like the rest of the car, the boot area is also well presented. The already mentioned CD multi-changer is to the left, the tool kit is present, and the spare wheel has a new tyre fitted.

Underneath

The famous5.3 V12 fires up easily, and, as you would expect with any V12, it sounds incredible when the loud pedal is pressed and no untoward noises are coming from the engine bay.

The car is reported to pull well through the gears on the road, and the change is smooth. No knocks or bangs are coming from either corner of the car, perhaps as "new" springs seem to have been fitted to the front and the brakes bring the XJ-S to a halt in a straight line.

Looking at the underside, there are no signs of any leaks. The floor area looks to be in good condition with a minimal amount of surface corrosion; nothing the new keeper couldn’t treat to help future-proof this wonderful XJ-S from unwanted corrosion.

History Highlights

With the original sales brochure and complete with the owner's handbooks, service book and three sets of keys; these are all essential items which suggest the car has always been cared for and well-loved.

The original service book has a healthy number of stamps and several invoices for parts and work carried out over the years. Also included is the original letter from Arthur Royles Jaguar Ltd, welcoming the new ownership of the XJ-S HE.

As mentioned earlier, the vendor will put a new MoT on the Jaguar before the auction ends.