2022-01-14 08:35:41 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1995-jaguar-xjs-40-celebration-gZ0Kw4

Auction description:

995 Jaguar XJS 4.0 Celebration

• Special edition last of the six-cylinder XJSs

• Original bill of sale and stacks of history

• Original jack and toolkit

• Incredible history file

This one is a remarkable car – it has covered an astonishing 231,000 miles, has been supremely well looked after, and has stacks of bills and receipts to back up its history. 

The History

The XJS has had four long-term owners in its life – the first a company, after which it appears to have become the private property of the company’s managing director. 

It then passed on to a third owner who kept it for 11 years, and a subsequent owner for a further eight. 

The present keeper bought it earlier this year as he’d always wanted to try one, but an imminent loss of storage means he’s having to thin down his incredible car collection. 

It’s a well-used but also well-loved example, which has never been left wanting for repairs or servicing. 

The Paperwork

As well as the UK V5C and an MOT valid until March 2022, the XJS comes with its original Jaguar book pack and a pile of receipts relating to servicing and repair over 26 years of use. 

There are stacks of old papers and MOTs, receipts for repairs and general servicing and some old tax discs. 

Because the car has been so well serviced, the previous owner has stapled extra pages into the service book, with the car’s maintenance record covering services way beyond 200,000 miles – you’ll struggle to find a history like it. 

There’s also the original bill of sale for £38,500, along with a used car receipt from a few years later where the XJS changed hands for £28,000 – that was a lot of money in the 1990s!

The Exterior

Jaguar’s Turquoise Metallic polarises opinion, with some people hating it and others absolutely adoring it – but that was the whole point.

To our eyes, it looks absolutely fantastic. So many XJSs are finished in traditional colours such as dark green or dark blue, so this one truly stands out. 

It’s in very smart order overall – the paint is mostly good, and the general condition is very solid. In the past, it has had both rear arches replaced and the driver’s side front wing, while there have also been some localised paint repairs over the years. Overall, it’s a fine-looking car. 

There are one or two areas you’ll want to sort if you’re picky. There’s some paint deterioration on the boot lid, some small rust bubbles on one sill end and on the front scuttle panel, but nothing substantial or alarming. 

The registration number – N300 CAN – is included, while the owner has also had all four alloy wheels refurbished, which really gives the car a lift. 

The Interior

Open the door and the XJS’s gentleman’s club interior is hugely inviting, with its walnut veneers and supple doeskin hide.

The seats, carpets and veneers are in good, serviceable condition, while the dials and controls all work as Jaguar intended. 

It’s not perfect – there’s wear to the seats commensurate with the age and mileage, there’s a slight droop to the headlining, and the centre armrest is a bit tired, but it’s all very presentable and functional. 

The Mechanics

The 4.0-litre AJ16 is one of the all-time great Jaguar engines and is renowned for its reliability, so even with 231,000 on the clock there’s nothing to be scared of. 

The owner reports that it runs very well, holding good temperature and oil pressure, while the four-speed auto box works as it should throughout the gears, as do the brakes and steering. 

It fires up on the button and runs sweetly, with no obvious leaks or untoward noises. 

2022-02-25 09:07:15 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 2/22

themarket.bonhams.com/en/listings/jaguar/xjs-40-celebration/3aa1d942-9294-458d-b ...

Location: The Market HQ, Abingdon, United Kingdom

Seller Type: Private

Odometer Reading: 231000

Engine: 4000

Gearbox: auto

Steering position: RHD

Colour: Blue

Interior: Beige leather

Estimated Price: £4,000 - £7,000

We are delighted to be offering for sale a 1995 4.0-litre XJS Celebration, resplendent in what we think is the best colour, Kingfisher Blue.

Our seller bought the car a year or so ago in an online auction, an impulse buy he says. He has always liked the XJS, having owned one previously.

He is a serial car collector and has quite a collection of interesting and unusual cars. However, loss of garage space means that he is having to let some cars go.

He tells us that the car drives well and offers the sort of smooth drive that is synonymous with Jaguar ownership.

On the Outside

Considering the many miles covered, the XJS’s paintwork looks to have aged well. There’s a deep lustre to the finish, no doubt from diligent polishing over the years. Kingfisher Blue - it is a colour that suits the XJS rather well, accentuating the car’s graceful and elegant lines.

Yes, you will find the odd stone chip and mark here and there. The front bumper has a few light battle scars and some areas where the lacquer is lifting.

The nearside headlight has clearly let moisture in and is discoloured. A replacement should not be too difficult to source.

Smart alloy wheels complete the look and these look to be in decent nick, free from kerbing battle scars and the like. The Pirelli tyres all look to have ample tread.

We understand the cherished registration number is to remain with the car.

On the Inside

Swathes of cream leather cover the interior. You get that distinctive smell on opening the door and sliding gracefully into the driver’s seat.

The driving position is excellent, and the view out over the long bonnet majestic. The wood gear lever falls readily to hand, the steering wheel a delight to hold. The latter was replaced last year.

The fly-off handbrake sits to the right of the driver’s seat, an unusual location but one that is easy to get used to.

Cruise control and air conditioning are both fitted – let’s not forget this is a luxury GT car!

The wood veneer on the dash and doors looks to be in good nick as do the door cards.

The leather on the front seats has aged and needs some love and care. You can buy leather cleaners and dyes, and these would make a vast improvement and help preserve the seats for years to come. Alternatively, there are many specialists who will be able to carry out sympathetic restoration.

The back seats are in much better condition, most likely due to lack of use. They are really only suitable for children or extra luggage.

The leather on the armrest between the front seats is rather worn and could do with a refurb.

The carpets are fine, if a little grubby. Time to get the steam cleaner out!

The spacious boot houses the battery and the spare wheel.

Underneath

The engine compartment is a full one. Maintenance is not beyond the capabilities of the home mechanic, but many choose to a specialist to keep things in top order.

The 4.0-litre engine in a powerful, refined and smooth unit and it is paired perfectly with the automatic gearbox – a winning combination. This is the ideal car to take on a touring holiday, being a relaxing car to drive for mile after mile.

Our seller does report that he has noticed a spot or two of fluid on his garage floor when the car has been standing for a while.

History Highlights

We are always delighted to see an original service book accompanying any car we sell, giving as it does a decent overview of when maintenance has been carried out.

For the first five years and around 90,000 miles, the XJS was maintained by Hatfields, main Jaguar agents based in Sheffield.

The XJS continued its high mileage journey over the next decade, with servicing carried out at least annually, sometimes more, by an independent Doncaster-based garage. They last serviced the car in 2010, the mileage then standing at 206,429.

The next two recorded services were with we believe, Chiltern of Bovingdon, renowned Jaguar specialists

Accompanying the car are some receipts for work done over the years.

The XJS was last MoTed on 30th March 2021 and we note there were two minor advisories for a misty shock absorber and a slight power steering leak. A raft of old certificates is available for inspection.

The complete book pack also accompanies the car, so that’s the driver’s handbook, and booklets for the sound and security systems.