• 

Tell your friend

Jaguar XJS V12 TWR 1985

General description : A glorious TWR XJS V12, one owner, 29k miles.

MODEL HISTORY

The first XJ-S appeared in 1975 as a 1976 model. The development of the car had begun in the late 1960s as project XJ27, with an initial shape set by Malcolm Sayer, but after his death in 1970 it was completed by the in-house Jaguar design team, headed by Doug Thorpe. Power came from the Jaguar V12 petrol engine with a choice of a manual or automatic transmission, but the manual was soon dropped as they were left over from V12 E-Type production.
 

V12 automobiles were unusual at the time, with notable others coming from Italian luxury sports car makers Lamborghini and Ferrari. The specifications of the XJ-S compared well with both Italian cars; the automatic was able to accelerate to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds and had a top speed of 143 mph. The first series of XJ-S cars had a Borg-Warner Model 12 transmission with a cast-iron case and a bolt-on bell-housing.
 

Jaguar seized promotional opportunities with the television series The New Avengers and Return of the Saint. The New Avengers featured Mike Gambit who drove an XJ-S. Return of the Saint saw Simon Templar driving an early XJ-S with the number plate "ST 1".
 

In 1982 Tom Walkinshaw's TWR had entered a team of the V12 XJS's into the European Touring Car Championship, with the cars built to the FIA's Group A touring car rules. The XJS won its first race that season when Walkinshaw and Chuck Nicholson won the XIV Grand Prix Brno; the Jags simply proving too fast for their rival BMW and Alfa Romeo opposition, with Walkinshaw qualifying 5.37 seconds faster than anyone else on the Brno Circuit. The TWR Jaguars were the cars to beat in the ETCC, with Walkinshaw claiming the 1984 ETCC Drivers' Championship. During the championship season the TWR Jaguar team also won the prestigious Spa 24 Hours race with an XJS driven by Walkinshaw.
 

In 1984 Tom Walkinshaw began to apply what he learned in the ETCC to the road going version of the XJS. The modifications were carried out to production cars at great expense. The end result was a sharper, faster, more focused version of the XJS with styling cues from the racetrack. In fact, Jaguar were so impressed by the TWR modifications and what the car had become that they formed a partnership with TWR and Jaguarsport was made. 

Equipment

Climatic air conditioning, Original Clarion head unit, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, Full leather interior, TWR Sports leather steering wheel, TWR bodykit, Rear spoiler, TWR 15-inch alloys, Lockable glove compartment, On board Trip Computer, Embroidered XJS TWR mats.

EXTERIOR

Finished in stunning metallic red with the trademark TWR silver to the bumpers and lower parts of the body, this rare Jaguar looks marvellous in our studio. The paintwork is in great condition having been subject to a bare metal repaint, with no unsightly dents to any of the panels.
 

The TWR benefits from lowered suspension as well as a full chrome delete, where all of the brightwork is finished in satin black as per the original TWR XJS. The end result is a more aggressive aesthetic than seen on the standard production offering. All in all we have a superb example that even retains the original supplying dealer sticker.

INTERIOR

Once inside you are greeted with seemingly acres of spotless leather upholstery. Being such a low mileage example, the condition of the interior is excellent. There is little or no wear to the bolsters of the seats, which remain both supple and supportive. The TWR steering wheel is in equally good order and retains a nice texture. What's more, the rear seats give the appearance of having never been sat in.
 

Looking further, the door cards and dash trim present in wonderful shape with no cracks, scratches or fading. The factory-fitted Clarion head unit works just as it did in 1985 as does the climatic AC, which has recently undergone a costly overhaul to include a new condenser, hot water valve body, and a re-gas. The car has also been treated to a new headlining, and the carpets throughout are protected by a fitted set of TWR embroidered mats.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

The 5.3-litre V12 has been subject to a full mechanical overhaul. As part of its re-commissioning the car received new plugs, oils, and filters; the fuel tank and fuel lines were also removed, checked, and cleaned. Work has been carried out by several Jaguar specialists, most recently by SPM Motor Works who were given the remit to get the car in A1 mechanical condition.
 

The Jaguar benefits from an improved flow stainless steel exhaust coupled with subtle TWR quad pipes. Undoubtedly the car has a huge presence on the road; the sound is intoxicating and the engine pulls hard in every gear. Furthermore the gearbox remains silky-smooth whilst giving the option to hold onto the long first and second gears for the twisty stuff.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES

This example is equipped with genuine 15-hole 15-inch TWR alloy wheels, all of which are unmarked and present like new. The wheels are shod in the correct Pirelli P600 tyres.
 

Also included in the Jaguar's re-commissioning was a complete overhaul of the braking system to include new brakes front to rear; anything worn was either replaced or refurbished. The end result is effortless braking power that stops the car with great urgency when needed.
 

The TWR sits at least one inch lower than a standard XJS, and so the handling is transformed. However, not wanting it to ride like a go kart the owner opted for a close to standard damper, meaning the car is well placed in corners but still rides like a Jaguar.

HISTORY FILE

This stunning XJS was bought new on 4th January 1985 from Southern Counties Crawely by its one and only owner. Having read a Motorsport Magazine article on the TWR XJS only months before he decided to take the car to TWR, who subsequently transformed his pride and joy into the ultimate version of the XJS. The car was then serviced by Jaguar main dealers until 1990 when it was taken off the road and stored in his garage. The car still bares its last tax disc from 1990.
 

The extensive re-commissioning has been undertaken by a well respected classic car restoration company who have invested over 400 hours of work into making this rare car one of the very best of its kind. Present in the History File is the original leather Jaguar document holder complete with the dealer-supplied owner's manual. The Jaguar Guarantee, Pre Delivery Inspection Card, and Clarion Stereo Booklet are also included. There is a huge file full of invoices documenting all of the service work carried out over the car's life. The file is complete with a fresh MOT certificate until May 2016.

http://www.4starclassics.com/jaguar-xjs-v12-twr-for-sale/

1985 Jaguar XJS V12 TWR is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Kingsley by 4 Star Classics for £25995.

People who viewed this Jaguar XJS also viewed similar Jaguar listed at ClassicDigest

Jaguar XJS

39900 €

Netherlands

Jaguar XJS

26900 €

Netherlands

Jaguar XJS

42950 €

Waalwijk

Jaguar XJS

49950 €

Waalwijk

Jaguar XJS

26000 $

St. Louis

Other cars listed for sale by this dealer

Datsun 240Z

39995£

Hampshire

Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia

36995£

Hampshire

Peugeot 205

10995£

Hampshire

Mercedes-Benz 500SL r129

19995£

Hampshire

BMW 735

29995£

Hampshire

More