1991 Jaguar XJS 3.6

Description

Rare and sporting 5-speed manual XJS; effectively two owners from new, the current for 23 years; always garaged; recent service including full brake overhaul with new discs and calipers; reluctant sale of a cherished family member

While the outstanding ride, handling and 150mph performance of the original XJS V12 were rightly praised by the contemporary motoring press, there was no getting away from its heavy fuel consumption and high servicing costs. A smaller, leaner engine was needed to broaden the appeal of the car to a wider range of drivers.

So it was that in 1983 the XJS became the first model to receive Jaguar's new 24v 3.6-litre AJ6 engine, a very smooth and potent unit that was not far short of the V12 in terms of outright performance but was happy to run on unleaded fuel and was in a different league for economy.

"It is the 24-valve engine's flexibility that impresses most," wrote Autocar. "Such is its low-down pulling power that, in town and urban conditions, one rarely needs more than 2,000rpm to keep up with the traffic flow." More free-revving and eager than the 4-litre AJ6, the 225bhp 3.6 is equally powerful and is preferred by many enthusiasts, especially when mated to the Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox. This rare option transforms the XJS from a cruiser to a proper sportscar: 0-60 in just 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 139mph and up to 36mpg economy.

This XJS 3.6 manual was supplied new in January 1991 as a company car for a senior manager at South Staffs Industries Ltd of Dudley. When he retired in 1994, he took the car with him and was to keep it until he sold it to our vendor in 2001. So although the V5C records three former keepers, it has effectively only had one.

During our vendor’s 23-year ownership the car has always been kept garaged and was in light regular use until 2013 when it got parked up. We are told that it has been well-maintained and did have a stamped up service book but, at the time of cataloguing, this could not be located.

Unearthed in April this year, it was treated to a thorough service and recommissioning which cost £2,582 (invoice on file) and included a full brake system overhaul with new front calipers, new rear discs, new pads all round (including the handbrake), various new pipes and fresh brake fluid. It also got new front and rear anti-roll bar links and new rear trailing arm bushes.

Flying through its MOT in April 2024 with no advisories recorded, it has only covered a handful of miles since, the odometer currently showing 99,663 miles which we are assured is correct. Supplied with all its original handbooks (bar the service book), in the original Jaguar wallet, it also has a Sony CD/radio, a Thatcham-approved immobiliser, a factory workshop manual and two sets of keys.

As you can see in the photos, this sporting manual XJS looks most attractive with just a couple of minor blemishes here and there. Starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with healthy oil pressure, it is only reluctantly for sale due to lack of use.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com