1990 Jaguar XJR 4.0

Vendor Mark Elliot has owned this car twice. “I’d originally owned one in this spec back in the day – so had good memories – and bought this example five years ago, sight unseen,” he explains. “I was very pleasantly surprised when I collected it. To find a Jaguar in that condition…”

The XJR’s immediate prior owner (its second) was a doctor who had bought it as an ex-demo car and then used it only sparingly. It promptly broke down as Mark drove it home. “The fuel gauge was faulty, and it had run out of petrol. That’s the only time it has ever let me down.”

After fixing the gauge he promptly drove to Portugal where he lived at the time, “it didn’t even blink”. After enjoying the car over there for three years he drove it back to the UK, gifting it to a close friend. “I had five cars at the time and just wasn’t driving it.”

His friend put the car into storage – “the good kind: where they start, drive and care for it”. Eventually, aware that it hadn’t been used, he bought it back from him by paying the storage costs.

He gave the car to The Jag Centre in Spixworth, Norwich on the 11th of December 2020 with instructions to “do whatever necessary to make it perfect”. There it had a full and comprehensive service that included replacement of the following items: oil, air and fuel filters; ignition coil; spark plugs; plug leads; rotor arm; distributor cap; and all fluids. The air-conditioning was also recharged at the same time and some minor remedial paintwork undertaken; the total cost was £1418.96 and the invoice can be viewed in our photo gallery, below.

“It’s a beautiful genuine car, but it’s now time to simplify my life. I live in France now and the hassle of registering it there or arranging annual services and long-term storage in the UK means that it’s now up for sale. Whoever buys it will be pleasantly surprised; The Jag Centre says it’s the best XJR its ever seen.”

The car comes with three keys, a Jaguar XJ6 handbook and a V5 document showing that the car was first registered on the 08/08/90 and has a had a total of five owners from new (including Mark twice!).

The bodywork had two minor blemishes (tiny areas of bubbling) on it when it went to The Jag Centre and these were professionally rectified. The result is one spotless example. “It’s always been garaged so has no sun or rain damage, and no rust at all – it has the bodywork of a two-year old car.”

You get lovely and clean paintwork that’s almost entirely clear of imperfections – the most we could find was one or two very small stone-chips on that deep chin spoiler. And talking of spoilers, and side-skirts while we’re at it, doesn’t this car exude a truly menacing late Eighties/early Nineties stance? Marvellous.

Our photographs and video really bring to life its superb condition, so they’re worth taking your time to peruse. The wheels were refurbished (as was the suspension) during Mark’s first period of ownership and remain very smart. The matching 225/55 R16 Pirelli P6000 tyres (including the spare) all have plenty of tread remaining.

“Immaculate” is how Mark describes the interior and we’re happy to agree. The crème leather remains in mark-free condition and with just the merest hint of a pleasing patina. The seats are firm and provide plenty of support with not a hint of sagginess. Wood veneer trim is crack-free and the carpets in top condition.

You’ll find the Jaguar branded mobile phone still in place (a lovely touch of originality). All electrics, including the sunroof, function and the leather-sports steering wheel is a lovely weapon with which to pilot this big executive beast.

“The biggest fix was the air conditioning,” explains Mark. “I had three attempts at fixing it and The Jag Centre finally managed it. Not just re-gassing it, but actually finding and fixing the leak that was causing the problem.”

You’ll find a full tool set and that previously mentioned spare wheel (still with original cover) in the beautifully carpeted boot.

“It’s super comfortable to drive,” says Mark. “You can drive it just like a modern car; it’s easy to own and the suspension still wafts along. It’s got good proper steering and it does everything you’d expect a 43,000-mile car to do.”

The XJR was a serious bit of performance kit when new and delivered its wares impressively, albeit still with the modicum of comfort expected given its XJ moniker.

That’s no different today. Yes, the automotive world may have moved on and the numbers are not quite as impressive as when new, but it still shifts mightily well and in an incredibly smooth manner. Power delivery is seamless and the auto ‘box shifts effortlessly; suspension is taut and brakes nice and sharp. It drives as good as it looks.

Underneath there aren’t many thirty-odd year-old cars that present as well as this. The odd bit of surface rust (on a suspension component and cross member) apart, it’s a very healthy picture indeed and testament to the care that the XJR has received during its life.

Pop the bonnet and you’ll find an engine bay in similarly very good condition. The bonnet underside still retaining both its insulation and warning signage.

You’ll find the Jaguar handbook, European Emergency Assistance guide and Panasonic E-Series Cellular Phone and Jaguar sound system operating instructions all nestling in the car’s original Sport leather wallet.

As previously mentioned, the recent large invoice from The Jag Centre is also included along with a Vehicle Maintenance Sheet completed at the same time

Mark is hastily trying to locate the service book. “It has a very good service history; proper Jag stamps from its early life. The doctor had it serviced every time it needed one – even when it was doing tiny miles – and I then had it serviced regularly in Portugal. It is around, I just need to locate it.”

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to an excellent standard.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

“Please sell it for more than the bottom of the estimate; honestly, £12k would be criminal,” says Mark. “After seeing the pictures on your site, if I wasn’t in the ‘simplify’ phase of my life, then I’d buy it myself.”

He is serious, as well. This XJR’s condition is the definitive reason to buy it. As stated, Mark says The Jag Centre reckon it’s the best example they’ve seen.

Our estimate of £12,000 to £18,000 will see the new owner pick up one of the best surviving examples of Jaguar’s high performance XJ40 variant and one that, if looked after in future as it has been, should continue to offer the consummate XJ experience for the next thirty years.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.