1992 Jaguar XJ40 XJR

For a serious Jaguar XJ enthusiast (and serial owner) like Mike, the more sporting XJ-R was a box he had to tick, so when this Kingfisher Blue example came on the market from another enthusiast and club member, he knew it was time to pull the trigger.

‘He had bought it from [Sussex-based] Jaguar specialist Arun in 2011,’ he recounts. ‘It had a very good service history and it was sound in all the places that the XJ40s tend to go.’ With a long ownership history with the model, Mike knew exactly where to look, making sure - amongst many other things - that bulkheads and floors were sound and that the car’s electrics performed as they should.

Some twenty months later (and having being garaged all its life), the Jaguar is in as good - if not better condition - than it was when he bought it. So what was the difference in the XJ-R?

‘It is certainly quicker than the standard car,’ he explains. ‘Especially with the aid of the ‘sport button’.’ He also points out that the suspension is more firm and the handling sharper. He is also keen to note that out of several combinations of options on that model, this example combines some rather nice features;

‘It has both a sun roof and air conditioning,’ he explains, ‘and, as well as the usual body kit [those deep spoilers], it also has the boot spoiler - some don’t.’

Due to the numerous lockdowns, he hasn’t been able to stretch the Jaguar’s legs quite as far he would have liked (probably only 1000 miles), but now there is another XJ model beckoning, so he is letting this fairly rare beast go to a new home.

Kingfisher Blue metallic was and remains a great choice for a sporting Jaguar (is there any other kind) and this example still gleams in the sun in its original paint after almost three decades on the road. The colour is consistent across the whole of the car, retaining a deep lustre and showing no signs of corrosion, nor scratches from harsh polishing.

Crucially, the sunroof fits perfectly, its seals and surrounds looking tight (no rust here), while down at the front, that deep front spoiler retails a good finish - no grazes or stone chips, and remains a nicely sporting accent to the car’s overall stance. The red and white coach lines remain fully intact on both sides and help to remind you that wings and doors all line up perfectly with one another. Panel gaps are suitably narrow and perfectly parallel, and the (rather large) lids at both ends line up neatly and symmetrically.

Neither is this neatness let down by the plastic strips in either the bumpers or along the doors. All such panels retain a deep shade of black - no fading to mottled grey - and all closely follow the contours of the metal to which they are fixed - no warping.

The XJ-R relinquished some of its chrome for (black) powder-coated steel, most especially in the window frames, and these areas too retain all of their colour (no bronze discolouration) and show no signs of corrosion. The aforementioned brightwork is in superb condition, showing no pitting or discolouration, and providing a nice accent along the bumper tops, and, of course, in the radiator grill surround. Joins in the chromework remain close and the supporting seals haven’t warped or cracked; it’s good to see just how clean all the nooks and crannies of the bodywork are. Likewise, the areas around badges - that famous growler - and the model insignia, are very tidy.

A tasty-looking gentleman’s express.

Jaguar’s craftsmen were ever masters of the wood and leather ‘gentleman’s club’ interior and, sporting or not, their touch is appreciated in this XJ-R. Trimmed in cream Connelly hide, the seats display only the gentlest creasing. The bolsters and outer cushions of these broad and supportive sports seats are clean, while the piping - a nicely contrasting feature - is totally intact in navy blue. The rear seats too are in a similarly excellent condition and the seat backs and magazine pockets show no scuffs or tears.

The four-spoke sports steering wheel is remarkably clean and its stitching tight. Both it and the leather-topped gear selector are free of any significant scuffs to the hide. It’s also good to note that the gear selector mounting in general is solidly fixed - not always the case in this era of XJs - and that internal fixtures and fittings remain solid.

One aspect of any Jaguar- sporting or not - which remains a charming feature, is the impeccably book-matched and polished woodwork. It’s nice to see how, in this example, it’s deep gloss lacquer has been preserved without scratches or cracks, and the walnut retaining all of its rich colour.

Finishing off the ambience of the cabin, it’s worth looking above and below in your inspection; the headlining is clean and tight, while, on the cabin floor, the carpets are similarly in excellent condition. Should you feel the urge to look underneath them, you will find solid steel floors, showing no evidence of damp or water ingress.

One thing you might note of the mats - and also the (matching leather) service book folder is that they are bespoke Arun items produced in co-ordination with Jaguar.

The whole ensemble adds up to charm with purposefulness; there’s the urge to go fast, but you may have to keep stopping just to admire the fixtures and fittings.

Looking underneath the XJ-R, you would agree that the light weathering of the underside appears commensurate with its 52,000 miles logged. It would appear to have done most of that in good weather and the undersealing remains intact. The underside of the monocoque looks robust and the fuel tank sturdy - no dents - while cross-members and bracing look strong. Sills too appear strong and the bottoms of the doors are also clean - so too are the (potentially, but not here) dirt-collecting areas in the door cavities.

Suspension assemblies and springs look very sturdy and corrosion-free (save for a light surface rust dusting on one or two small components), and the steering arms look similarly good. No signs of leaks from the dampers. Fuel and break lines, and brake assemblies all appear to be in good working order. The big alloys are very tidy (the shiny chromed wheel nuts are a nice touch) and they are shod with good tyres.

Jaguar’s famous straight-six greets you with a shiny red Jaguar Sport plaque when you open the boonet (no creaking here) - reminding you that this is the rare four-litre version. Predictably and pleasingly, the engine looks as well cared-for as everything else encountered on this car. There are no signs of leaks - nor overheating judging by the under-bonnet sound proofing, and all ancillaries look similarly clean and well mounted. Leads and pipes are clean and show no signs of fatigue, and the fuel injection system appears to be in great shape.

Paint and general condition around the engine bay are good - certainly no rust in the bulkhead, while the bolts retaining the front wings, as well as the joins in those areas, look to be clean and rust free. The engine bay may not be highly polished, but you would feel more than confident raising this bonnet at the next Jaguar or classic car show.

With only 52,000 miles on the clock, it’s actually rather nice to see there isn’t a huge history file full of strippings-out of mechanicals, resprays and reconditionings. This is a good, straight and very honest car in its (rather dashing) original colour scheme. What is good to see is a well-stamped service book showing some nice addresses - main dealer and marque specialist, plus some later invoices from 2018 showing some thorough suspension and brake fettling. (Though I am kinda hoping there’s no correlation between that workshop crew’s mechanical skills and their handwriting).

You’ll also see that the XJ-R was also the star of a feature in Jaguar World magazine and a copy goes with the car.

Also, it’s important to point out that the car has been owned by knowledgeable enthusiasts - never underestimate that. Also, since us photographing and appraising the car (the photographer wrote the review), Mike has decided to replace the rear shock absorbers and bushes - obviously before the car is sold.

This car holds all the good cards. It has gorgeous looks in a popular and pleasing colour combination - coupled with a nice set of options; sun roof and air con remember, and a rear wing to boot (well, on the boot actually). It is in very fine fettle and has a respectable history file to back this up.

This was also a well-respected incarnation of the XJ-R, and a less complicated one than its successor. And can we remind you - again - that this is the late and rare four-litre version.

Whatever you consider these models to be worth, this example has to be towards the top of that scale. Even then, it’s going to be cheaper that its German rivals (though probably just as enjoyable). With all that in mind, we would expect it to sell for between £12,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and as stated this car is located with the vendor in County Durham, England; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.