One to Buy: 14,000km from new 1991 Jaguar XJR-S 6.0 (SOLD)
Having successfully managed Jaguar’s touring car and prototype competition programmes, Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) was the obvious choice to create the ultimate factory sanctioned iteration of the long-running XJS.
The resultant XJR-S was named in recognition of the XJR moniker used by TWR’s Group C and IMSA challengers. It came with a host of special equipment to include uprated suspension, new wheels and tyres, a sporty new body kit and top-of-the-range interior.
326 of these cars were built with the 5.3-litre V12 engine between 1988 and ‘89, the first 100 of which were badged as Celebration models in recognition of Jaguar’s victory at the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours.
A further 837 examples of the XJR-S (787 Coupes and 50 Convertibles) were subsequently assembled with the improved six-litre engine available from September 1989.
Set to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Goodwood Members’ Meeting auction on April 16th is almost certainly one of the lowest mileage XJR-S Coupes built with the six-litre engine.
A face-lifted example from 1991, chassis 183372 was configured in Brooklands Green with Warm Charcoal leather, Smoke Grey carpet and Sapwood veneer inserts. It also came with a long list of optional extras to include automatic transmission, cruise control, an Alpine audio system, air-conditioning, rear badge delete and a limited-slip differential.
Today, this left-hand drive car has covered a mere 14,160km and is described as in good condition throughout. The car’s low mileage is in part the result of having spent time in the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Collection since 1997.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description for this interesting XJR-S:
Chassis no. SAJJKES3ER183372
Engine no. 8WO10576SC
Upgraded 6.0-litre V12 with Zytek engine management
Automatic transmission
Showing circa 14,000 kilometres (approximately 8,700 miles) on the odometer
Formerly part of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Collection
In 1984 Tom Walkinshaw won the European Touring Car Championship behind the wheel of a Jaguar XJ-S. During this time, Walkinshaw was producing body and suspension kits for the XJ-S at his JaguarSport company as significant improvements over the standard XJ-S, leading to the factory authorising an official model incorporating Walkinshaw's upgrades: the XJR-S.
Owned 50:50 by Jaguar and TWR, JaguarSport released a special version of the XJR-S in 1988, which featured the 5.3-litre V12 engine; a unique body kit; alloy wheels; and suspension and handling improvements. JaguarSport would produce 100 of these new XJR-S cars as the 'Celebration Le Mans' models to commemorate Jaguar's win at the Le Mans 24-Hour race in 1988. The 100 Celebration models would be sold exclusively in the UK, while an extra 226 XJR-S models would be produced up to 1989 with the 5.3-litre engine. From September 1989, the XJR-S would be fitted with the upgraded 6.0-litre V12 and Zytek engine management system. This new engine was an upgrade of the standard V12 found in the late XJ-S. The new XJR-S would be produced until 1993 with a total of 787 coupés and 50 convertibles built.
The 1991 XJR-S on offer is one of the most original and one of the lowest mileage examples on the market today, with only 14,160 kilometres (approximately 8,800 miles) on the odometer. Ordered in Brooklands Green with a Warm Charcoal interior, the car became part of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Collection in 1997. The list of options includes the following: automatic transmission; Alpine AJ9150W audio equipment; 4-ohm speakers; no rear badges, anti-lock brakes; unique TWR wheels; limited-slip differential; XJ40 gear knob, colour-keyed; air conditioning; headlamp power wash; no front fog lights; no tread-plate inserts; no coach lines; no grille; cruise control; high-mounted stop lamp; driver's air bag; sapwood veneer; black steering wheel; Sport trim; Warm Charcoal facia; Saville headlining; Smoke Grey carpet; Warm Charcoal main cabin colour; Warm Charcoal seatbelts; twin needle stitching; and Warm Charcoal welts.
Described by the vendor as in good condition in all respects, this rare and exciting high-performance Jaguar is offered with a Heritage Certificate, old sales descriptions, bills for works carried out, and a V5C Registration Certificate. Spare keys are present.
