Lot 201: 1991 Jaguar XJ-S V12 Le Mans Edition Coupé

Conceived as a comfortable and long-legged Grand Routier, rather than an out-and-out sportscar like the preceding E-Type, the XJ-S made use of the Jaguar XJ6/XJ12 saloon platform and running gear. Shorter in the wheelbase than its saloon siblings, the XJ-S debuted as a V12-powered coup�, with six-cylinder and soft-top versions following in the 1980s. The car�s 150mph performance was not achieved without penalty however, its prodigious thirst causing sales to nosedive as oil prices soared. However, the arrival of the much more fuel efficient HE (High Efficiency) V12 in 1981 and the introduction of the smaller �six� enabled it to weather the storm.
Introduced to celebrate Jaguar�s win at La Sarthe in 1990, the Le Mans Edition model added extra leather trim, �Le Mans� motifs to headrests and foot plates, quad headlights, �Growler� bonnet badge, 16� lattice alloy wheels and a �Le Mans� boot badge to the package. Each of the 280 cars produced was individually numbered.
Number �163� of the series, this XJ-S Le Mans comes with Jaguar service history to 64,000 miles and when sold at Bonhams� Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale in 2006 (Lot 550) had covered circa 81,000 miles from new. The car benefits from many new parts: the steering rack, oil cooler, suspension mounts, front wheel bearings and tyres (x5) having been renewed within the past few years by Kent Jaguar Centre (invoice available). �H377 UNP� is also fitted with full Autolux (high quality) leather interior, pure Wilton carpeting, leather-bound steering wheel and gear selector. The original working Jaguar radio cassette (and aerial) is installed also.
Reported as totally original, �163� is said to drive wonderfully with a smooth automatic transmission and wonderful quiet engine. This fine example of an exclusive modern Jaguar that can only become increasingly collectible is offered with leather service wallet, owner�s manual, old-style logbook, current road fund licence, MoT to November 2008 and Swansea V5 document.