One to Buy: 1 of 3 ex-works 1993 Jaguar XJ220C
Following the best part of a ten-year period when the Le Mans 24 Hours was contested exclusively by purpose-built Sports Prototypes, 1993’s event marked the return of production-based GT cars to this, the most famous international endurance race of all.
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s decision to organise a GT category wasn’t announced until March ‘93 which left potential competitors just a few weeks to ready qualifying machinery ahead of the big race scheduled for the weekend of June 19th and 20th.
Although Jaguar had pulled out of the World Sportscar Championship at the end of 1991 and Tom Walkinshaw had taken on the role of engineering director for the Benetton F1 team, TWR elected to create a trio of GT1 cars based on the XJ220 in the hope that 1993 would see another Le Mans victory added to Jaguar’s already impressive resume at la Sarthe.
Scandalously, although the XJ220C of David Brabham, David Coulthard and John Nielsen finished first in the GT class, a month after the event Jaguar was excluded owing to the late filing of an appeal owing to the car’s lack of catalytic converters.
Currently on offer at the Gallery Aaldering showroom in Brummern, The Netherlands, is one of the three cars that contested that ‘93 event: chassis 003.
Driven by Jay Cochran, Paul Belmondo and Andreas Fuchs, chassis 003 qualified third fastest for the GT class but failed to finish as a result of damage to the cooling system incurred after a spin.
Having raced at Le Mans again in 1995, chassis 003 subsequently headed out to Japan an,d in more recent times, has been the subject of a £200,000 restoration at renowned Jaguar and XJ220 specialist, Don Law Racing.
Reprinted below is Gallery Aaldering’s description:
One of the 3 factory-entries for Le Mans 24 Hours 1993
Restored by the renowned XJ220 specialist Don Law Racing
Le Mans 24 Hours participation 1993 and 1995
Immaculately presented in its original 1993 Le Mans livery
Number 003 built (by TWR)
Price: €1.295m
For the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours race, Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) prepared a team of three factory-supported Jaguar XJ220 Cs. TWR, having previously won the race for Jaguar in 1988 and 1990 with the XJR-9LM and XJR-12 chassis, was intimately involved in the XJ220 project through its joint venture with Jaguar, JaguarSport Ltd. TWR had extensive knowledge of the XJ220’s 3.5-litre V-6 engine, previously used in the team’s XJR-10 and XJR-11.
TWR received four chassis from the XJ220 production line—chassis numbers 220836, 220837, 220838, and 220839. The first three were designated as race cars, and the fourth served as a spare. Internally, TWR assigned abbreviated serial numbers of 001, 002, and 003 to the race cars.
Due to a hiatus in International Sports Car racing caused by the demise of the World Sports Car Championship the previous year, Le Mans in 1993 was a non-Championship race. Entries were open to a mix of earlier-generation Group C cars, 3.5-litre normally aspirated FIA WSC cars, IMSA WSC cars, and production-based GT cars.
Chassis 220838 (serial no. 003) was piloted by seasoned IMSA racer Jay Cochran, Formula 1 driver Paul Belmondo, and emerging GT racer Andreas Fuchs. Unfortunately, 003 was not completed in time for the Le Mans Test in May, but 001 and 002 displayed promising performances.
Qualifying for the race confirmed the competitiveness of the XJ220 Cs. Car 002 qualified 2nd in the GT class, with 003 and 001 securing the third and fourth-fastest GT qualifying times. TWR approached the race with genuine optimism.
Regrettably, 001 suffered a catastrophic cylinder head gasket failure just six laps into the race, forcing it out within 30 minutes of the start. Stuck’s Porsche, initially leading, encountered throttle issues after two hours, allowing 002 and 003 to move into 1st and 2nd in class as night fell. However, 003 later experienced a high-speed tyre failure on the Mulsanne Straight, resulting in a spin and subsequent retirement due to terminal damage to the cooling system after 176 laps.
Despite an unplanned pit stop, serial number 002 made a valiant recovery to regain the GT class lead and crossed the finish line in 15th place overall and 1st in the GT class. Unfortunately, it failed post-race scrutineering and was disqualified for not having catalytic converters fitted.
In 1995, 003 returned to Le Mans as part of a two-car team run by privateer squad PC Automotive. However, the GT racing landscape had evolved significantly, with strong competition from McLaren F1 GTRs, Ferrari F40 LM/GTE variants, and Porsche 911 RSRs. 003, after battling through the race, succumbed once again to engine failure after 135 laps.
Later, 003 ended up in the collection of an active member of the Jaguar Car Club of Japan. While under his ownership, the car was involved in an accident, resulting in front, right-hand side damage. It was subsequently sent to the renowned XJ220 specialists at Don Law Racing in the U.K. for full repair and restoration to its 1993 Le Mans livery at a cost of nearly £200,000.
This presents a rare chance to acquire a genuine works Jaguar and two-time Le Mans competitor from the golden years of GT racing. The car is highly eligible for various racing series worldwide, including Endurance Racing Legends, Master Endurance Legends, and Le Mans Classic. Delivery will include the ACO scrutineering forms.
Much rarer than an F40 LM, this is a fantastic opportunity for the next owner to make a statement on the track with a masterpiece.
