1995 Jaguar XJ40 Majestic

Built in June 1994 and first registered as a company vehicle with Jaguar Cars Ltd., this Regency Red Jaguar XJ40 Majestic is believed to be one of only 270 Majestic models made worldwide and one of just 71 right-hand drive examples built for the UK market.

And, if that weren’t enough, ‘N941 RKV’ is one of only 39 cars that were fitted with the four-litre engine, and one of only four finished in this colour and a Magnolia interior. 

Still not rare enough or you? How about the fact that this is one of two Sovereigns that left the factory in this specification – and this is the sole survivor?

Yes, that’s right: This car is unique. 

And fabulous. Well known in the XJ owners’ world, its previous keeper - and the man who owned it from 2012 for seven years - is a renowned collector of Jaguar motorcars; he has what some say is “one of the best collections of odd and rare XJ40s in the world”.

The seller chose well then in 2019 – and not just because of its provenance; it also “closely resembles the one my family had when I was very young. It holds fond memory in my heart so I have not used it very often, probably only around a hundred miles since buying it for a run from Cardiff to Oxford.”

Always kept garaged, by both him and the previous owner, he’s now only selling it because he’s downsizing his collection and, sadly, the Majestic sees the least use, which means this is the one he’s selected to go.

As you’d expect given its history, low mileage, and limited use, the XJ40 still presents very well, despite coming up to its 30th birthday.

With good shutlines, excellent panel alignment and an absence of the sort of car park dents and dings that betray a mechanically insensitive owner, it has clearly been carefully curated over the years and further benefits from having been fitted with a new rear bumper some years ago.

The Regency Red paintwork, which is enhanced with a pair of gold pinstripes down each flank, still has a good gloss to it, too.

The lamp lenses, window glass, and most of the badges are all still good, as is the minimal chrome that’s fitted to the car.

The 16-inch Aero alloy wheels are the originals and are in fine shape. They are fitted with a newish pair of Runway Enduro 816 tyres on the front, with a Pirelli P4000 and a Michelin Energy gracing the rear axle. 

As for work to do, the rear number plate plinth is scruffy, there is a little rust on the radiator grille, and the offside rear bumper has been scraped. 

That’s the bad news, the good news is that the car seems to be in a remarkably good condition with even areas like the wheel arches, which almost always rust, still looking solid and nicely finished. 

There is some corrosion here and there, of course, but less than you might imagine, so why not pop along and take a look?

The Magnolia hide and walnut veneer interior looks terrific, doesn’t it? Few manufacturers do Old World cabins better than Jaguar and this one ticks all the right boxes, including condition.

It helps that the seats were refurbished a few years ago, and the then-owner managed to source and fit a set of new front carpets too, but this refurbishment only built on an already very good example that was already still in a very good condition.

For example, take the headlining, which is not sagging and is thought to be the original, as proof of how well the car has been looked after.

The lettering on the wonderfully of-the-period horizontal trip computer that sits to the right of the (very good) steering wheel and the light controls that sit on the left is all still bright and clear, too. 

The walnut veneer trim is shiny and undamaged, the dashboard is a model of clarity, and the door cards are all excellent.

As for the underlying design, chrome controls and handles are dotted throughout the cabin and the overall impression is of the same effortless luxury it left Coventry with almost thirty years ago.

Rear legroom is, of course, vast and those in the rear also benefit from a rear sunblind. The condition in the rear of the Jaguar is even better than that of the front, which says a lot.

The boot is both cavernous and well presented. But then you’d guessed that by now, hadn’t you? 

The cabin isn’t perfect of course, and there are a few marks here and there, including a little colour loss to the outer edge of the driver’s seat. But, overall, it still looks very good indeed and we can’t see anything in there that would bother the majority of folk once you’ve had the carpets deep-cleaned.

As for the electrics, the seller tells us that everything worked when it went into storage four years ago. But, while he says he has no reason to doubt it all still does because he hasn’t driven it since then he isn’t in a position to confirm it. 

We like honesty like that.

The service history booklet shows the following:

• 17.08.1995 and 46 miles – pre-delivery inspection by Jaguar Cars Ltd
• 09.01.1996 and 9,402 miles – service by Jaguar Cars Ltd
• 07.05.1997 and 17,849 miles – service by Rossleigh Jaguar
• 03.10.1997 and 28,115 miles – service by Rossleigh Jaguar
• 22.04.1998 and 38,186 miles – service by Rossleigh Jaguar
• 09.11.1998 and 48,460 miles – service by Rossleigh Jaguar
• 29.04.1999 and 57,500 miles – service by Rossleigh Jaguar
• 09.12.1999 and 66,781 miles – service by Rossleigh Jaguar
• 26.04.2000 and 72,963 miles – service by Rossleigh Jaguar
• 01.11.2001 and 77,312 miles – service by Rossleigh Jaguar
• 12.05.2013 and 80,471 miles – oil service and new tyres by unknown
• 16.07.2018 and 88,843 miles – oil service plus new front dampers by unknown 

We are told that two new tyres (presumably the front ones) were fitted in 2019 along with new front brake discs and pads plus new dampers and suspension bushes a year earlier. 

The seller also says that: “Further back the rear bumper was replaced, as were the rear silencers and tailpipe trims, along with the top radiator support and bushes. It also had its fluids and filters changed in 2019, using genuine Jaguar items.”

There are a few oil leaks but then this is a car that’s only covered 88,000 miles from new, of which fewer than 10,000 of those have been driven since 2005 – and only a thousand in the last decade. It is, therefore, entirely possible - indeed, highly probable - that many of the oil and fluid seals will have dried out and will need to be replaced. 

While we are told the car does run and drive and has been moved around the storage facility on a regular basis, the seller wants us to make it clear to potential bidders that his car “will benefit with some recommissioning if the next owner intends to use it as it hasn’t really been driven in four years.” 

The video doesn’t show it running because there was no coolant in the system at the time it was shot.

The engine bay is well presented and while some might like to detail it further – including freshening up the sound-deadening mat under the bonnet - you could easily leave it as it is if you’re going to be using the car rather than displaying it.

As for the underside, the seller tells us that “the front inner wings are solid and good unlike most XJ40s.”  

The Jaguar comes with one key and a remote fob, the book pack, its factory tool kit, and the spare wheel, along with a good history file.

It also has a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Production Trace Certificate confirming its specification and engine, gearbox, body, and chassis numbers. 

Having been in professional storage for many years, the XJ40 doesn’t have a current MoT certificate. That said, while the last MoT expired in May 2020, the car hadn’t had a single advisory since 2012.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

Like so many, we struggled to see the appeal of the XJ40 for a long time. And yet, we’ve started to warm to it, not least because of examples like this.

Built to a rare and very attractive specification, this top-of-the-range example’s condition helps seal the deal; if you’ve ever fancied owning a (currently) unloved modern classic Jaguar, this one is well worth a look. 

And yet, that condition and rarity has yet to be underpinned by strong residuals; with a guide price of between £5,000 and £8,000, this one offers an awful lot of real estate for the money.

Sure, it’ll need some light recommissioning after having stood for so long but there’s nothing in its engineering to scare off a moderately talented DIYer – and if you don’t fancy getting your hands dirty there are dozens of independent Jaguar specialists who would be happy to sort it out and look after it for you.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Noke, Oxfordshire. 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’.