2021-07-14 07:31:36 | pauls writes:

Car at auction 7/21

www.carandclassic.co.uk/auctions/1985-jaguar-xj-sc-36-X8bPwn

Auction description:

1985 Jaguar XJ-SC 3.6

Colour Red

Odometer 137,853 Miles

Engine size 3590

Location London

Country United Kingdom

Guide price: £12,000- £16,000

・One owner since new

・Full-service history

・Garaged for all its life

This 1985 XJ-SC has been with its first owner since new and used as a daily runaround for much of its life. It has had the benefit of always being garaged throughout its life and comes with a full-service history with 40 stamps. Finished in a stunning red, with an ivory leather interior and contrasting black trim, this well-kept car is a nicely presented example with a solid foundation and evidence of mechanical sympathy. A fine introduction to the world of open-top classic Jaguars.

Bought new at Paramount Jaguar in Derby in 1985, the owner ordered the car from new to replace his trusty Ford Capri. During an era where waiting times for new cars were usually long, he had a wait a year to take delivery of the car, which had been built to customer order. Having taken delivery of the car, he kept on top of any issues which is a good indication on how the car has retained its lustre. 

Always garaged and serviced, the car was still seeing regular use until 3 years ago. He states that the Jaguar has never really needed significant mechanical work doing to it, with it said to be still running strongly on its original engine. 

The owner enjoys the experience of the journey and the Jaguar with its eager engine note and supple but cosseting ride has been more than a stylish way to get from A to B. It’s always a difficult decision to part ways with a car that has been with you for over four decades, but the pain has been eased off thanks to the delivery of a new Ford Mustang cabriolet, which acts as a more than adequate replacement for his trusty Jag. 

The Paperwork

The car comes with a full-service history dating back to 1985, with Jaguar main dealer stamps to 1993 and specialists thereafter. The service book had actually run out of space, so he’s had to add a couple of additional pages. Any issues in regards to the running gear, such as the usual suspension bushes and brakes components have been dealt with during each service.

 As often the way, his intention wasn’t to keep the car for an unprecedented 36 years, so he never thought to keep the numerous bills and maintenance paperwork. There is a batch of older MOT’s as well as all of the user manuals. 

The suitable apt registration plate, which has been with the car since new, stays with the car.

The Interior

The leather seats show a level of wear that is to be expected on a car over 35 years old that has seen regular use, so allowances can be made. The next owner may want to consider renovating the leather seats, while they are mostly free from major rips or tears, some of the piping, as well as the centre driver's seat pad would need attention. 

The back seat has a light blemish but is in overall decent condition. The leather centre console area also shows signs of wear but again all treatable or a subject for replacement. The door cards are in decent condition, with a little scuffing observed in places. The driver side door speaker cover is also missing. The carpets are a little loose fitting in places but they’re in decent order with no significant marks just a little wear around the driver's footwell but nothing too distracting. 

The passenger mat has frayed edges. The boot carpet is complete and in good condition with no signs of damp. The dashboard was worn well, with the facia and top of the padding in decent condition with no cracks or significant damage. The burred elm veneer trim throughout the car has been well maintained. The key fob and stalks areas have wear but overall the presentation is good with the plastics wearing well. The switches and controls are in decent condition and all are said to be functional. The dials are good and legible with no damage to the housing or binnacle. 

The owner likes his music, and has installed a DAB player in the car, which suits it rather well, but he has kept the original radio and that will be included with the sale. The aircon is fully operational. The steering wheel and in particular gear stick shows a typical amount of wear in line with the mileage and age of the car. 

The headlining, or rather the underside of the Targa panels and the rear inner lining is good, with no significant signs of damage with the roll bar padding in decent condition too. There is no evidence of water ingress.

The Exterior 

Structurally for a car that has seen indoor storage for much of its life, it is, not surprisingly sound. The engine bay, boot well, inner wings and floor pan look remarkably solid with nothing that would need immediate attention. 

Externally, the lower sections of the car didn’t reveal any immediate issues with no significant damage or rot on the outsides of the quarter panels, doors or around the front screen. The only significant blemish on the car, asides from the minor age-related wear, was the rust developing in the rear deck area in between the boot and the area of where the canvas roof rests. This would need further investigation. 

All doors open and close well, with the bonnet in need of new gas struts as they are unable to support the weight. The panel gaps and fit are even and equal across the car. The bumpers hang well and although show some signs of ageing, they are in decent order with no major damage observed on the rubber trim, although the rear bumper has seen a knock. The paint finish is decent, with a pleasingly level of gloss. The coverage is even throughout, with small signs of lacquer peel and touched up dabs of paint observed in places. 

The car is free from dents and has clearly been protected from daily driving issues. The Jaguar retains its original gold trim line decal, a relatively minor but pleasing detail of originality. The Targa panels and retractable canvas roof are in good condition, with a little wear in places but all are unripped and show no signs of outdoor elements on them. 

The roof frame is good with no issues to its condition, although the chrome trim around the windscreen displays a handful of minor dents. There is also a little scuffing observed around the B posts, but these are really only cosmetic issues. There were no issues with the retraction and raising of the roof, with the Targa roof panels storing away neatly in the boot. 

The car also comes with its original tonneau cover. The glass is good, with the windscreen showing no significant scratches and no evidence of repair or chip damage. The rear plastic screen has fogged up on the outside edges somewhat, obviously, the ageing process has caught up with it, but is crack-free. The glass rubbers are decent, with minor signs of ageing in places. The door rubbers are generally good with the lower section of the driver's door rubber showing deterioration - an easily replaced item. 

 The lights are good, with no issues with the front items, with just the rear lenses showing a little damage. The alloys show some signs of age, with minor nicks observed on both front wheels, but could be easily repaired by a specialist. The off-side front tyre is a new item, with the other three being fitted within the last 15 years. All are in good condition with plenty of tread.

The Mechanics 

The car runs well, with the start up presenting no immediate issues. The engine sparks to live with the expected condensation but soon settles down and burbles away happily after a few minutes. There were no noticeable knocking or rattles from the engine. The car reaches temperature and all the warning lights are said to remain off. 

On the road, the car retains its famous smooth ride, and the combination of the big profile tyres and the damping absorbs the undulations in near silence with no bumps and knocking sounds on uneven surfaces. The steering does not emit any straining, with the gear change and clutch operation behaving well with no difficulty in engaging. 

The engine presentation shows a typically working engine with evidence of maintenance, there are a few odd damp oil sweats in places but nothing to suggest chronic leaking. The exhaust sounds decent, with perhaps a hint of blowing.

2021-09-02 08:25:27 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 9/21

www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/events/2021-auctions/the-practical-classics-classic ...

Auction description:

Year of manufacture: 1985

Make: Jaguar

Chassis number: SAJJNACC7CC126475

# of cylinders: 6

Transmission: Manual

Engine capacity: 3.6

Body colour: Red

MOT Expiry: Thursday 28 October 2021

LHD/RHD: Right-hand Drive

Registration number: C819 CAT

Model: XJ-SC 3.6

Engine number: 9DPAMA102443

Interior colour: Tan

Odometer Reading: 137000 miles

Resplendent in Sebring Red with an Ivory leather interior

Super-smooth straight-six with the 5-speed manual gearbox

Fitted with a rear seat conversion

Unbelievably one owner for the last 36 years and pampered all of its life

Complete with a full service history from new and fully detailed 

The appropriate registration number, C819 CAT, will remain with the car

Offered on the open market for the first time since 1985