NO RESERVE - 1987 Jaguar XJ-S 5.3 V12 HE

Highlights

• Striking Sebring Red V12

• Original book pack and service documents

• JaguarSport body kit

• Registration number not included

The Background

A 5.3-litre V12 might not sound like the obvious engine to be christened ‘High Efficiency’ but that’s what the initials stood for on the July 1981-on Jaguar XJ-S HE.

The company’s new High-Efficiency V12 engine offered much better fuel economy – albeit relative at around 18mpg. With a Fire Ball combustion chamber designed by Swiss Engineer Michael May, power output was increased 295bhp. At the same time, the XJ-S HE received changes to its exterior and interior, with HE models identifiable by their body-coloured boot trim.

Today, the HE models are among the more collectable XJS derivatives – more efficient than the earliest cars but still retaining their classic looks. This one is particularly unusual, as it wears a factory option JaguarSport bodykit, often incorrectly referred to as a ‘TWR’ kit as it was developed with the help of the racing team behind the Jaguar Le Mans cars, which were at the height of their success when this XJ-S was first registered in August 1987.

On which note, the car will be sold with an age-relative ‘E’ registration – the seller is retaining the ‘SER 190’ number plate in the photos to transfer onto his next car.

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The History

This is a 1987 Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe, first registered on August 1st that year as E650 DTA – the registration number it is likely to be reissued with.

It was registered on two different private numbers during its life and as had at least three longer term owners as well as a few others. The vendor has only acquired it recently and is awaiting the V5C to be returned from the registration transfer, but he expects to have received this by the time the auction concludes.

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The Paperwork

There’s a fair amount of paperwork supplied with the Jaguar, though most of it relates to the car’s early life. It was supplied by Appleyard Jaguar in Ayrshire and spent most of its life in Scotland.

The service book is stamped all the way through to 71,434 miles In 1995, since which it has only covered 24,000 miles in 26 years. The current MOT runs until November 2022 and was passed with no advisories, but it is the first computerised record. The XJ-S has been in storage for a number of years and has only recently been returned to the road.

Also on file are the owners’ handbook and original Jaguar wallet, containing lots of original papers.

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The Exterior

This is a striking car to look at thanks to both its body kit and its radiant Sebring Red paintwork, which is astonishingly bold for an XJ-S yet at the same time really suits it.

The car sits on factory option ‘lattice’ alloys which are also a good match, though they woud benefit from a new set of centre caps.

The paint is in good order overall and the car appears to be structurally solid, with only a few minor imperfections. There’s a small scrape on one side above the rear bumper and a small amount of rust bubbling under the paint in the same area, whilst there are also some minor scuffs on the front bumper. Overall, though, it looks fabulous and is in very smart order, with nothing to detract from its appeal.

All of the bodykit is still there and firmly attached, including the distinctive rear spoiler.

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The Interior

It’s all there inside and in decent order, though from storage it could do with a deep clean. The rear seat is dusty, and the rest of the cabin is complete and tidy but would really gleam after some careful attention.

The headlining is pinned up and would benefit from the attentions of a trimmer – the fabric itself is in good order, so careful use of adhesive would most likely fix it.

There’s also a wonderfully retro (and functional) trip computer, along with a delightful period Clarion/Jaguar radio-cassette player that was undoubtedly a hugely expensive option when new.

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The Mechanics

The car has recently been returned to the road but it starts and runs well, holding a steady temperature and displaying good oil pressure.

There’s very little smoke and the engine ran perfectly for over half an hour of idling and low speed use while we took our photographs.

It has finger-light power steering and engages both forward and reverse gears smoothly. The vendor reports that it drives well, and that everything works as it should. The Jaguar V12 is a specialist engine, though, and after a long lay-up it would benefit from a thorough service before being driven in anger anywhere.

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The Appeal

Jaguar XJSs – especially good HEs with the right kind of pedigree – are in big demand at the moment, and this one is especially intriguing thanks to its period JaguarSport bodykit and unusual colour scheme.

It’s not perfect, but it’s a really solid example and quite a distinctive-looking one that’s a genuine headturner, as well as being a little more racy than your usual XJ-S. It’s not one for shrinking violets, but it’s a genuine piece of 1980s retro-cool.

Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.

Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification

Year 1987
Make Jaguar
Model XJS HE Coupe
Colour Red
Odometer 95,029 Miles
Engine size 5343

Auction Details

Seller Type Private
Town Markham Moor
Location Nottinghamshire
Country United Kingdom

Bidding history

80 bids

du•••• £7,500 19/12/21
Ko•••• £7,400 19/12/21
Ko•••• £7,300 19/12/21
Te•••• £7,200 19/12/21
Ko•••• £7,100 19/12/21
Ko•••• £7,000 19/12/21
Te•••• £6,900 19/12/21
Te•••• £6,800 19/12/21
Ko•••• £6,700 19/12/21
Te•••• £6,600 19/12/21
du•••• £6,500 19/12/21
Ko•••• £6,400 19/12/21
Ko•••• £6,300 19/12/21
du•••• £6,200 19/12/21
Ko•••• £6,100 19/12/21
Te•••• £6,000 19/12/21
Ko•••• £5,999 19/12/21
Te•••• £5,900 19/12/21
Ko•••• £5,800 19/12/21
Te•••• £5,700 19/12/21
Te•••• £5,600 19/12/21
Ko•••• £5,500 19/12/21
Ko•••• £5,400 19/12/21
pa•••• £5,300 19/12/21
pa•••• £5,200 19/12/21
pa•••• £5,100 18/12/21
ca•••• £5,000 18/12/21
pa•••• £4,900 18/12/21
ca•••• £4,800 18/12/21
pa•••• £4,700 18/12/21
ca•••• £4,600 18/12/21
ca•••• £4,500 18/12/21
pa•••• £4,400 18/12/21
pa•••• £4,300 17/12/21
ca•••• £4,200 17/12/21
ju•••• £4,100 16/12/21
da•••• £4,000 16/12/21
ju•••• £3,999 16/12/21
da•••• £3,900 16/12/21
ju•••• £3,800 16/12/21
da•••• £3,700 16/12/21
da•••• £3,600 16/12/21
ju•••• £3,500 16/12/21
da•••• £3,400 16/12/21
ju•••• £3,300 16/12/21
da•••• £3,200 16/12/21
ju•••• £3,100 16/12/21
da•••• £3,000 16/12/21
ju•••• £2,900 16/12/21
da•••• £2,800 16/12/21
ju•••• £2,700 16/12/21
da•••• £2,600 16/12/21
Wi•••• £2,500 15/12/21
ne•••• £2,499 15/12/21
ne•••• £2,400 15/12/21
Wi•••• £2,300 15/12/21
Wi•••• £2,200 15/12/21
ju•••• £2,100 14/12/21
Wi•••• £2,000 14/12/21
ju•••• £1,999 14/12/21
Wi•••• £1,900 14/12/21
Wi•••• £1,800 13/12/21
Mi•••• £1,700 13/12/21
al•••• £1,600 13/12/21
Mi•••• £1,500 12/12/21
Wi•••• £1,400 12/12/21
Wi•••• £1,300 12/12/21
Mi•••• £1,200 12/12/21
Wi•••• £1,100 12/12/21
jo•••• £1,000 12/12/21
Wi•••• £999 12/12/21
Wi•••• £900 12/12/21
jo•••• £800 12/12/21
jo•••• £700 12/12/21
Wi•••• £600 12/12/21
jo•••• £500 12/12/21
Wi•••• £400 12/12/21
jo•••• £300 12/12/21
Wi•••• £200 12/12/21
jo•••• £100 12/12/21

Message C&C Auction Team

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