1996 Jaguar XJ-S Celebration

Supplied new by Mead of Chelmsford on the 2nd January 1996, this Turquoise Jaguar XJS benefits from one of the most comprehensive maintenance records we’ve ever seen on the model.

As a result, the 96,000 miles on the odometer are almost an irrelevance as it starts, runs and drives every bit as well as it looks. The seller’s husband bought ‘N525 RAP’ in 2019, the mileage was not a concern as he intended to enjoy it as his everyday car.

Yup, that’s right, he was a man who kept his Jaguar XK for high days and holidays but still used the XJS regularly. Sadly he passed away recently, while he was able to sell his XK, he couldn’t bring himself to let his beloved XJS go.

She told us ”every time he got into it, he smiled” and having seen it and driven it, we can see why.

Sadly he was diagnosed with a terminal illness and whilst he enjoyed the Jaguars to the fullest, the decision was made to sell the cars. He was able to Sell the XK, but was unable to let go of his beloved XJS. After he sadly passed away it was decided to bring it to Bonhams hoping to find a new owner who would cherish and enjoy the XJS as much as he did.

The combination of Turquoise paintwork (colour code UDB) and a liberal sprinkling of chrome works very well, giving the familiar XJS lines a subtle refresh, something the twin Federal-spec headlamps, deep front spoiler, and smoked rear lights underpin.

Mind you, it’s been well looked after over the years: Both rear wheelarches and the nearside sill were repaired in November 2021, and this restorative work follows on from planned preventative maintenance by way of a Waxoyl treatment by Clarkes Jaguar in September 2019 and June 2011.

The result is a delight with good shutlines and panel alignment topped off by vibrant and shiny paintwork. 

The chromework we mentioned is good too and it is supported by a set of 16-inch polished alloy wheels, all of which are free of dinks, scrapes and kerbing marks. 

As for the tyres, they’re matching 225/55R16 Falken ZE310 and were fitted new in August 2021 and around 4,000 miles ago.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

As for work to do, if we’re being ultra-picky - and we do try because we know so many of you rely on the description and photos to set your bidding – then there are small areas of rust at both the top and the base of the windscreen and the top of the nearside rear wing.

The Cream leather interior (trim code NDR) features the usual staples of lots of wood ‘n’ leather, with the former being piped in a darker shade and the latter dotted with black switches and chrome ashtrays. 

The light brown carpets are in good shape (including the heel protector) but then they’re protected by a set of Jaguar-branded textile overmats. 

As for the rest, the top of the dashboard is free of cracks and other sun damage, the door cards have only a few light marks on them, the rear seats are excellent and look like they’ve barely been used, and the walnut veneer trim is very good.

An aftermarket Sony Bluetooth headunit is fitted, and there’s an Alpine CD-multichanger in the boot. The Jaguar head unit is included for any purists out there.

While we’re on the subject, the boot isn’t only very clean and well presented, it is also home to both a space-saver spare wheel and a spare alloy wheel.

As for flaws, the leather surface of the front seats is cracked, especially on the outer edge of the driver’s seat. This was on his list of jobs to do but he didn’t manage to get them done.

As for the rest, the headlining is decent but has a small hole on the offside rear. That’s it.

Birks Motorworks fitted a new steering rack in January 2023 along with a repair to the ABS module. The bill came to £1,254 and this was followed by a bill for just over £500 for a routine service in September of the same year. 

September 2022 saw another service that included having the air-conditioning re-gassed and fresh oil put in the differential.

February of that year saw a £5,200 bill for a service that included rebuilding the rear axle, new front and rear Bilstein dampers, new rear brake calipers, and new suspension springs.

Other recent work included new ignition coils and gaskets in May 2022, along with some repairs to the fuel filter threads followed by a new fuel filter.

April 2022 saw a repair being made to the exhaust downpipe along with a replacement power-steering hose, while January ushered in a new alternator.

The air-conditioning system was stripped down and rebuilt with a new expansion valve and receiver dryer, plus a good used blower motor unit, in April 2021 by Clarke’s Restorations at a cost of £2,159.

Other services in the history file include:

• 12.09.2023 and 95,947 miles – service by Birks Motorworks Ltd
• 12.09.2022 and 94,477 miles – service by Birks Motorworks Ltd 07.09.2021 and 92,103 miles – service by Birks Motorworks Ltd including new front brake pads and a new timing chain tensioner
• 19.08.2020 and 89,493 miles – service by Clarke’s Jaguar
• 14.03.2020 and 88,320 miles – replaced handbrake shoes and nearside rear hub flange and ABS sensor by Chiltern of Bovingdon Ltd
• 21.09.2021 and 87,570 miles – service by Clarkes XJS World including much other work for the MoT
• 19.09.2019 and 87,570 miles – service by Clarkes Jaguar
• 08.09.2017 and 84,580 miles – service by Clarkes Jaguar
• 09.09.2015 and 81,427 miles – service by Clarkes Jaguar
• 24.07.2014 and 80,410 miles – new rear brake shoes by Grassicks of Perth
• 24.07.2013 and 79,400 miles – service by Clarkes Jaguar
• 14.07.2012 and 77,980 miles – service by Clarke’s Jaguar
• 10.06.2011 and 76,944 miles – service by Clarke’s Jaguar including a pinion seal, Waxoyl treatment, air-conditioning pipe and re-gas, and repairs to the braking system
• 04.06.2010 and 74,680 miles – service by Clarke’s Jaguar including front brake calipers, discs and pads
• 26.09.2009 and 74,241 miles – service by Clarke’s Jaguar including new sparkplugs, radiator, front rubber bobbins, and two link rod kits
• 25.06.2008 and 68,598 miles – service by Clarkes Jaguar
• 09.08.2007 and 67,001 miles – service by Guy Salmon Jaguar
• 03.08.2006 and 64,431 miles – service by Guy Salmon Jaguar
• 12.08.2005 and 60,829 miles – service by Guy Salmon Jaguar
• 30.07.2004 and 54,829 miles – service by Arun Limited
• 29.07.2003 and 49,044 miles – service by Arun Limited
• 07.01.2002 and 44,612 miles – service by Drabble & Allen Ltd
• 10.01.2001 and 40,074 miles – service by Drabble & Allen Ltd
• 12.01.2000 and 35,471 miles – service by Drabble & Allen Ltd
• 12.01.1999 and 27,850 miles – service by Drabble & Allen Ltd
• 24.04.1998 and 22,569 miles – service by Drabble & Allen Ltd
• 23.09.1997 and 17,485 miles – service by Drabble & Allen Ltd
• 08.01.1997 and 11,143 miles – service by Drabble & Allen Ltd
• 06.10.1995 – pre-delivery inspection by Mead of Chelmsford

Do expressions like ‘fastidiously maintained’ and ‘maintained regardless of cost’ spring to your mind too?

As the video shows it fires into life without any issues, and idles and revs as it should. It does it with good oil pressure too as well as a healthy charge to the battery. 

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that our in-house assessor reports that it “drives well”.

The engine bay is pretty good. Sure, you could get it detailed but that would be building on previous work rather than curing decades of neglect – and few would criticize you if you decide to leave it as it is.

As for the underside, there are a few rusty fasteners and a crack in a plastic shield at the front but other than that the two Waxoyl treatments it’s had over the years appear to have done their job. There is the odd spot of flaking underseal to be attended to but nothing more.

More urgent is the rust that’s just starting at the top of the offside front wing where it meets the bulkhead, and the leading edge of the nearside front wing near the headlamps. Neither look serious yet but it would be prudent to catch it now before it becomes more established.

The XJS’s MoT certificate is valid until September 2024, the recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file comprises a thick wad of expired MoT certificates and old invoices in addition to the Jaguar service history booklet and wallet.

Modern classics like the XJS offer an awful lot for the classic car collector and driver who’d rather not compromise unnecessarily; with nigh-on modern handling, performance, and reliability the Jaguar combines the romance of the iconic lines we love with what is usually a much easier ownership experience than would be the case with older classics from an earlier decade.

As to its value, we think the canny enthusiast should be able to pick this one up for between £11,000 and £15,000, which seems like a small price to pay for your next love affair.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. 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’.