2023-06-14 12:37:56 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1991-jaguar-xj-s-v12-le-mans-edition-nY5aan

Seller's description:

1991 Jaguar XJ-S V12 Le Mans Edition

Colour British Racing Green

Odometer 259,000 Kilometres

Engine size 5343

Seller Type Private

Country Belgium

Limited edition, number 248 of 280

No expense spared restoration

Very nice example of the marque

Belgium registered

Full restoration over a number of years

Current keeper has kept comprehensive history file since 2013

History check carried out and clear

Currently registered in Belgium, this car is presumed to have had only one previous keeper, however no previous keeper details or service history is present before the current keeper’s ownership of the vehicle.

The car was bought in the Netherlands by the previous owner, who then started the restoration, a full respray was done but no mechanical overhaul was started. The current keeper then purchased the car in 2013, it was at this point that a lengthy restoration and rebuild was undertaken over a number of years. The car had a defective odometer which

was replaced by the current keeper with a new unit, at the time of replacement the original odometer read 258,000km. The current keeper has kept a nice history file on the car including numerous invoices for restoration items, and also the car has had a complete Carvertical check carried out showing a clean bill of health history-wise.

The Interior

The Le Mans Edition model added extra leather trim, 'Le Mans' motifs to headrests and foot plates

Headliner, floor covering & carpets replaced

Interior trim & seats in original condition

No radio currently installed

As previously stated, this is the rare Le Mans edition, and as such features a whole host of exclusive details, including additional leather trim, ‘Le Mans V12’ motifs to the head rests. On the subject of the seats, they are all original and finished in a gloriously supple cream leather throughout with contrast piping. 

They show some wear and small blemishes indicative of this car’s age however one would say it adds character and they are free of tears or any major damage.

Moving forward the black leather wheel is also in very nice shape with the prominent Jaguar logo present in the centre, and the dashboard is in great condition and certainly adds to the luxurious feel of this car with a healthy dose of fine wood veneer trims, all of which are original but with some now showing signs of aging due to sunlight exposure.

The gauge cluster is clean and tidy and free of any major marks or scratches. The carpets throughout have been replaced and are finished in a lovely tan colour high pile finish, with matching floor mats with rubber Jaguar emblem panels. A nice touch is the electrically adjustable and heated front seats. It also features power windows and cruise control. The headliner was renewed upon restoration as well and is in brilliant condition. The door cards are in good condition with only minor blemishes present, and the wood veneer trims and chrome handles and controls are all in good shape. The foot plates also bear ‘Le Mans’ motifs.

Overall a very conscientious restoration in which great care was taken to preserve the originality of the car while freshening it up, some blemishes and marks of age remain, however these only add to the character and originality of the car. A very nice interior overall.

The Exterior

Full respray in glorious british racing green

Quad-headlights

‘Growler’ bonnet badge

16" 'lattice' alloy wheels

'Le Mans' boot badge

New chrome wheel arch flares

The exterior of this fine machine has had a full respray around 10 years ago in a luxurious british racing green. The paintwork is in overall good condition, with only a few signs of bubbling under the paint and a slightly dulled finish, however a small amount of TLC and a good machine polish would remedy these issues. 

This car carries a very muscular profile and it has had a chrome wheel arch kit fitted, which looks factory against the other chrome items and windscreen and headlight surrounds. Some excellent features on the Le Mans edition are the quad-lamp headlights, ‘growler’ bonnet badge, and ‘Le Mans’ boot badge. The window glass and lamp lenses are clean and clear and in fine condition with the vendor only pointing that the front window chrome surrounding joining shows a gap.

Careful attention has been paid to preserve around the areas where the most common wear occurs, with the sills and bumpers in good condition overall along with the very nice front air dam under the bumper. The silver lattice wheels are in fantastic shape and are shod with Continental tyres.

Overall a very nice exterior that has been well restored and has continued to preserve the original feel of this fine luxury sports car.

The Mechanics

Complete overhaul and comprehensive rebuild

Lots of new parts

Complete braking and fuel system overhauls

This car has had a full mechanical overhaul, with subframes removed and an enormous amount of man-hours put into the restoration and rebuild.

Perishable rubber items like bushes, hoses and pipes have been replaced. A new exhaust centre section has also been fitted, along with a new air valve. The braking system has had a complete overhaul including new discs, pads, calipers, accumulator and ABS sensor.

Moving on to the fuel system, A new sender unit has been fitted, along with a fresh fuel pump and filter. The entire system has been flushed to ensure it is perfectly clean within. In 2020, the car developed an oil leak in the power steering rack, and as such was stored until work could resume on the vehicle, in 2022, the power steering rack was refurbished, and fuel lines and fuel injector lines were refurbished as well. Also fitted was a brand new battery and power cut-off switch.

A very comprehensive restoration, this machine is sure to please for years to come and is in fine mechanical condition.