1987 Jaguar XJ-S

Today, this RHD auto XJ-S V12 has 56,796 miles on the odometer.

When the vendor bought the car at auction in 2009 it had covered fewer than 20,000 miles.

The auction listing at the time described the vehicle as being “probably the finest example on offer in the UK” and a car that would have to be “…seen and driven to be believed”.

And that’s before the vendor took the car to legendary Jaguar whisperers KWE (Knowles-Wilkins Engineering).

He’d asked them to conduct a pre-purchase inspection report on the car before bidding for it at the 2009 auction which is included in the comprehensive bound history pack.

After buying the car he commissioned KWE, at considerable expense, to work their unique automotive magic on the big black cat.

There is a certificate (plus accompanying bills and a photographic record of the works on DVD) ) attesting to the first tranche of work carried out by KWE in 2009.

It states the following:

“This is to certify that the Jaguar XJS V12, Chassis No. SAJJNAEW3BA142126 registered in UK: WAG 27X, has been rebuilt by Knowles-Wilkins Engineering (KWE) Limited to the following KWE major specifications:

• E3 Engine Perishables & 15000m service
• S1 Suspension/Brakes/Steering Renewal
• 08 Cavity rust protection
• PT1 V12 Power Enhancement”
• A full stainless steel “full bore” exhaust system was fitted by KWE in 2010

To paraphrase James May reviewing a KWE-fettled example for Top Gear, KWE’s work to improve the performance, handling and dynamics of the model made the XJ-S the car it always could and should have been.

We have driven the car and can say, with some confidence, that we can’t recall ever driving an XJ-S V12 of this vintage that has better performance, balance, poise or road-holding than this.

It really is a revelation and a fitting testament to the expertise of the engineers at both Browns Lane and KWE.

Other upgrades fitted are an appropriate Becker stereo, bluetooth module, reversing “beepers”, lights-left-on alarm to ensure no flat battery and remote central locking, none of which were present on the original car but are now expected in modern cars. Both original factory keys are also present.

The car has now returned to its original number plate E444KDE, but eagle-eyed readers may have noticed the number plate referred to on that certificate - WAG 27X.

The car’s second owner was a Mr. Charles “Wag” Bennett, a bodybuilder and gym owner whose principal claim to fame is that he and his wife spotted Arnold Schwarzenegger’s potential and helped him successfully train for and win his first Mr. Universe title in 1967.

Indeed, Arnie lived with “Wag” and the Bennett family in Forest Gate, London, for several years.

And yes, before you ask, he did go back.

Several times, in fact.

Anyway. We digress.

The bodywork is really very good and there are no dents, creases or dinks of any significance to report.

The black paintwork, too, is largely excellent and even the normally ubiquitous stone, chips, scratches and road rash are more notable for their absence than their presence.

The good-looking after-market alloys with their KWE centre caps are in excellent condition.

The chrome is pretty good but there is the odd spot of foxing here and there, but by no means everywhere.

Get up close to the car and one or two relatively minor issues become apparent.

There is a little blistering and bubbling at the base of the doors, the bases of the front and rear wings on both sides, and at the base of the offside ‘C’ pillar.

There’s also a little blistering to be seen on the black metal window surrounds on both sides, and a tiny spot of it on the boot lid.

The interior is in remarkably well-preserved condition and is far more an indicator of the car’s low mileage than its age.

Aside from a few scuffs and signs of previous repairs on the passenger seat squab, the magnolia (piped black) leather upholstery is in exemplary condition, front and back.

The seats are supportive, comfortable and, as far as we can ascertain, entirely functional.

The carpets and headlining are very good.

So, too, are the door cards.

The wood veneer inserts are intact, free of any significant scratches and have retained their lacquer.

The dashboard and controls all seem solid, and to have endured the vicissitudes of time and use with commendable fortitude and stoicism.

We didn’t press every button, flick every switch or pull every toggle, but everything we did manage to press, flick and pull worked as intended.

The boot looks very good and is free of any stains or other damage.

The very full engine bay looks dry, if a little dusty, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car appear to have a good deal of structural integrity, although you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusions.

This car’s life and work is very thoroughly documented and recorded.

We know from the documents section that the two stages of KWE’s initial rebuilding and fettling of the engine and mechanicals came to over £20,000.

We also know that the car was regularly maintained and serviced by KWE and, on the occasions when KWE’s exalted expertise really didn’t need to be engaged, the very best local expertise was sourced and commissioned.

Everything is noted, annotated, recorded and documented.

The car comes with all manner of manuals, service books, radio codes, letters, bills, invoices, receipts….and other reassuring indicators of diligent and uncompromising curation.

It also comes with a DVD containing all manner of photographic evidence of work carried out on the car.

Nothing we’ve seen has given us cause to frown, tut or slowly shake our heads.

It’s all good as far as we can tell.

This is a very classy, low mileage example of a classic model that has evolved into the best possible version of itself courtesy of KWE and a vendor who has spared no costs, cut no corners and entertained no compromises in pursuit of creating, maintaining and preserving something very special indeed.

It’s really very impressive.

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’.