1987 Jaguar XJS

With only two owners from new and fewer than 30,000 under its belt, this is a very, very opportunity to buy what is an almost new Jaguar XJS V12 coupe.

In fact, we are being too modest in describing it as being in ‘showroom condition’ description; this car is reference quality and should be in a museum as a permanent of reminder of how nicely Jaguar used to make motorcars

Still wearing its original ‘Guy Salmon’ number plates, this XJS is in true time-warp condition. The paintwork is fresh and practically unmarked, as are the original alloy wheels, and brightwork. 

The rubber seals, often the first area to reveal a car’s age, are tight and firm instead of the more usual sun-faded grey and brittle. Honestly, the quality and condition of this example needs to be seen to be believed. 

The interior is still in showroom condition, which is remarkable given that it is now 30 years old. The leather is wearing only the very gentlest of creases on the driver’s side and the whole interior is free of rips, tears and stains. The chromework is bright and free of tarnish and surface rust, and the wood veneer is shiny and free of peeling and cracks.

That the XJS harks from a kinder, simpler period is made clear by the myriad delightful touches: how many cars have you seen recently that boast two chromed ashtrays in the front? Or a gear knob that has been fashioned from a piece of real wood? Or a chrome handbrake – on the right of the driver’s seat, no less – that wouldn’t look out of place on an Aquariva powerboat?

The online MOT history check not only shows nothing to worry about, it shows no advisories or failure pints at all since August 2007. This might just make it the most boring MOT history check of any old XJS in the United Kingdom, which is exactly what you want to see when you’re considering buying one!

The period 1989 tax disc is a lovely touch and is redolent of the history that comes with this car, which is complete, comprehensive and meticulously collated. 

We wouldn’t like to tot up the bills this car has accumulated over the years, but they’d amount to a very tidy sum, an investment the next owner is sure to reap the benefits of.

Cars like this come up once in a lifetime, and if this is the model you’ve been searching for then it’s time to stop faffing about and get bidding because the chance of you finding another is almost zero.

If you think this is just the over-excited hyperbole of a typical car salesman I challenge you to find another in this condition for the same money. In the past two years the v12 XJ-S has undergone a resurgence and received wide accolade as a true classic from the likes of Octane magazine. This makes the best examples (of which this is one) highly sought after.

The guide price is £15k, which may seem high but the investment market demands original cars with an impeccable history and this car scores highly on both counts. 

Yes, you might be able to pick one up at a lower price, but over the long-term this should prove to be a better investment than anything bought more cheaply with an eye to shaving a few pounds from the initial purchase costs.

Which makes this an almost sure-fire Good Thing: Use it sensibly, look after it properly, and you should enjoy the sort of long-term security that bankers would kill to be able to provide.

The car can be viewed in near Guildford in Surrey, to arrange please use the 'Contact Seller' button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments or view our frequently asked questions below.