2018-06-30 19:03:32 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 7/18
www.silverstoneauctions.com/1975-jaguar-53-v12-manual

Auction description:
Silverstone Classic Sale 2018
1975 Jaguar XJ-S 5.3 V12 Manual
Lot No.: 555
Registration: NWV 120P
Chassis Number: 2W1167
Engine Number: 852084SA
Number of cylinders: 12
CC: 5343
Year of Manufacture: 1975
RHD/LHD: Right Hand Drive
Estimate (£): 30,000 - 35,000

Number 14 of 385 fitted with manual gearboxes
British Racing Green with black trim is in remarkably original condition
In Jersey for most of its life, the speedometer shows 32,000 miles
Early production styling cues; One driver's door mirror, cassette/radio and signature GKN Kent alloys
It comes complete with all manuals, original sale brochure and full MOT till July 2019.

The early XJS offered here is probably as close to those famous sketches as you are likely to get. It's the fourteenth off the line of only 385 XJS V12s fitted with manual gearboxes. Originally built on the 10th September, which coincidentally was the public launch day of the XJS, it was despatched to Mann Egerton Jaguar in Leigh-on-Sea Essex on November the 4th. It's a UK, right-hand drive car finished in British Racing Green with black trim and is in remarkably original condition. As a really early car, it epitomises the truest form of these stylish coupes with an array of early production styling cues. Including a single door mirror, elegant steering wheel, cassette/radio, and signature GKN Kent alloys.

Having resided in Jersey for most of its life and been enjoyed by just three owners, the speedometer shows 32,000 miles which judging by the car's overall condition and the size of Jersey, could well be correct. The Jaguar has been subject to considerable recent expenditure to maintain it mechanically with suspension work, brakes, wheel refurbishment, and a set of five original equipment Dunlop Sport Aquajets all totalling £5,700. It has recently completed a European road trip and accomplished that with aplomb. The car comes complete with is V5, older Mots, all its manuals, an original Sales Brochure, and an MoT valid until July 2019.

Finally, after years of false dawns and confusing values, the XJ-S market appears to be firming nicely. There is strong evidence that quality low-mileage cars, anything a bit unusual, and particularly unsullied early cars, are now in demand. With the benefit of hindsight, it's easy to see why early models become so much more desirable, simple, pure, unadorned by options and increasing weight, and so much closer to what the designer had in mind. To quote my learned colleague, Quentin Willson, "It's the pre-HE cars that I reckon have the greatest long-term potential. Launch year '75s are the purest and rarest with their Kent alloys, Seventies colours, and unadorned bodies. Find an ultra-rare V12 manual (only 300-odd were built) and you'll have a Jag coupé that's actually more exclusive than a 1961, flat-floor, outside bonnet lock E-Type. Already I'm seeing signs that early cars are attracting strong attention and selling quickly, so don't hang about the 1975-77 XJ-S is definitely the one to buy right now".

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