1996 Jaguar XJ-S V12 6.0

There is only one place to start with this very special Jaguar and that’s provenance. I’ll state it very slowly… It. Is. Absolutely. Second. To. None.

With an astounding 23 stamps in its service book (the mileage carefully noted at each one) and every single invoice in the history file (see both History Highlights section and our Photographic Gallery, below), you can rest assured that it’s been cherished every day of its life.

The XJS’s superb condition backs that up to the hilt. It went for a fresh MOT test yesterday (sailing through without a single advisory), and had the tester commenting, “What a glorious car!”

Originally built on May 13th 1994 this run-out model was sold in 1996 by Guy Salmon Jaguar Ltd in Thames Ditton, Surrey (see included original sales invoice) and was one of the last to be registered. Just 772 6.0 Coupes were constructed with just a small proportion being sold in the UK.

The included V5 document indicates a total of two owners, and the first of those was the original buyer Mr Nicholas John Kirk who owned it for a total of 23 years.

The original sales invoice shows that this exemplary big cat cost that lucky gentleman £39,950 (after his discount), and that the price included the fitting of a C.D. player, engine immobiliser and also a Nokia 211101 mobile phone.

Naturally, both sets of the original keys are included.

This XJS presents very, very well. The Sapphire metallic paint is a lovely deep blue hue and the contrasting red and white coach lines look pin sharp against it.

Those long William Towns designed flanks are straight and dint free, wheel arches are superbly clean, panel gaps are very tight and there is absolutely no corrosion to be found on the car – and we’ve had a blooming good look.

The paint is generally first class. There’s no cracking around those iconic flying buttresses; there is a small graze on the bonnet (just under the Jaguar badge) but other than one or two minor blemishes, it’s grand.

There are two receipts for paintworks in the history file: an undated one from J.C. Automobiles, Middlesex, for repair and spraying of the o/s front wing, door and rear wing, and n/s door and bumper section (cost £565); and another dated 9th Jan, 2017, from Claremont Coachworks, Surrey, for repair and repaint of the n/s door (£384).

Both colour matches were excellent, as it’s an even finish all round. And as the comprehensive history file demonstrates, this car has received all, and any, necessary works to keep it in the best possible condition.

Headlight glasses are nice and clear, and the later smoked rear light lenses give this big brute an extra soupcon of (already considerable) presence on the road.

The alloy wheels are tres smart and fitted with Kumho ECTSA HM 225/55/ZR16 boots, with plenty of life left in them. All brightwork trim is similarly excellent nick and sealing rubbers remain nice and pliable.

We’ve tested all the electrics and everything seems to work just as it should, but then to be truthful we didn’t expect anything else. The cabin matches the standard of the exterior, and not only that its colour works beautifully against it.

Slip down into that low-slung interior and you’re greeted by a stunning combination of soft well-padded cream leather and beautiful walnut wood veneer.

The leather has been well fed (the plus two seats in the rear look unused), and as such is absolutely free of any cracking – indeed it’s free of any marks at all.

The wood is exemplary and all black plastics retain a nice level of colour and refreshing lack of scuffing or scratches (the XJS’s two owners have obviously been very careful gentlemen).

Up top the headlining is mark-free and still firmly in attached to the roof. The carpets are very good and protected by mats – lift them, and you find reassuringly clean metal.

Lift the boot and it’s of a similar standard. The space-saver wheel is still in place, complete with its trim cover. Oh, and there’s also a Collins Glove Box Road Atlas & Town Plans booklet for those who still prefer an old school approach to journey planning.

Overall, there’s no doubt that it’s a cabin that will give the next owner a lot of pleasure.

It’s one thing looking like a million pounds but how does this big cat drive? The answer is beautifully. Our spin to the MOT test centre was an unqualified pleasure.

The V12 is such a smooth and silken deliverer of its wares; it lays its torque down on tarmac effortlessly. You’re pretty much oblivious to the auto ‘box’s shifts, which is just as it should be, and the suspension is tight lending the car that supremely planted feeling that a top XJS should have. Stopping power is also sharp – there’s a hell of a lot of driving pleasure to be had here.

Take a look at our video below and you’ll not only get a clear picture of overall condition, but also see that she starts first time and that the big V12 (have you ever seen a cleaner XJ-S engine bay?) ticks over and revs smoothly.

Taking a look at the underside of the car reveals it to be almost as tidy as up top, and, for any prospective buyer, it’s certainly a reassuring picture of health.

Okay, you’ll have to excuse us if we go to town here. We do love a car with a good history file and this one is practically perfect. If you want to follow this car’s story from day one then you can: every washer, nut and bolt that’s been replaced: every service completed; all works; all fettling; every service; all MOT test certificates; the original sales invoice; a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate; the original handbooks and wallets; everything, is in there.

Oh, if only every car came thus. What does it show? The care, attention and sheer love lavished on it from new. You simply can’t get a better picture of a car’s health than this.

It’s first few years and services were under the care of the Guy Salmon dealership, before the owner turned to well respected Jaguar specialist XJ Motors of Shepperton, Middlesex. Almost all of its services were completed there, and most invoices for maintenance are written in the same neat handwriting of one of its employees.

We could list these works, but we’d be there forever and a day. Suffice to say that when this car has required something, then that it has been carried out.

Pour yourself a nice Scotch, take your time and read this XJ-S’s life story – it’s a thing of beauty.

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 a very high standard.

We can confidently say that this is the best XJ-S we’ve had here at The Market. Rickety, poorly loved examples (hell, even fair-to-middling ones) can feel a bit fragile, but this example feels absolutely bulletproof.

It benefits from being a last of the line example. There’s absolutely no comparison between the production standards at the start of the model’s gestation, and those towards its latter life – night and day, doesn’t even get close.

Its biggest selling points are its low number of owners, an exemplary history and provenance, followed very closely by condition. Everything is known about the car, and most importantly it drives superbly.

Given all of the above, we think it’ll achieve between £22,000 and £28,000. It’s very rare to find a car that has been serviced every year of its life, and that has all invoices in its history file.

The MOT tester was mesmerised by this car yesterday, and it’s now waiting to do the same to its next owner.

Viewing is always encouraged, 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’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Footman James for classic car insurance Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car and AnyVan for transporting it.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.

Also, localised paint repairs are common with collectable and classic cars and if they have been professionally carried out then they may be impossible to detect, even if we see the car in person. So, unless we state otherwise, please assume that any vehicle could have had remedial bodywork at some point in its life.

Please note that this is sold as seen and that, as is normal for used goods bought at auction, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. See our FAQs for more info, and feel free to inspect any vehicle as much as you wish.