Auctioneer's Notes:

A rare and imposing 1978 Jaguar XJ 5.3 C Auto, finished in blue with a contrasting black vinyl roof and black leather interior. The photographs show the elegant pillarless two-door profile to particularly good effect, complemented by chrome brightwork and period-style alloy wheels. Originally supplied new in Bournemouth, the car has an appealing local connection and has been off the road since 2004. The Vendor advises that it is running and driving and reports that it drives beautifully.

Maintenance & Condition:

The accompanying Passport to Service records the fitting of a replacement engine in 1983 at 36,306 miles. Importantly, the odometer was not reset at this point, with the next recorded mileage approximately three months later showing 39,076 miles.

The exterior presents attractively, with the blue paintwork displaying a good overall lustre and the contrasting black vinyl roof suiting the car particularly well. Chrome brightwork and period alloy wheels complete the presentation.

Inside, the black leather upholstery appears substantially complete and retains an appealing original character. The seats show visible creasing and age-related patina, particularly to the front seats, consistent with the car's age and use.

Although the Jaguar has been off the road since 2004, it is now running and driving. As with any vehicle returning to use after a lengthy period off the road, prospective purchasers may wish to satisfy themselves as to any routine servicing or checks required before regular use.

History:

The Jaguar is accompanied by its original bookpack and a useful selection of supporting documentation. The Passport to Service contains 19 stamps and records the replacement engine at 36,306 miles in 1983.

Also present are the original driver's handbook, insurance literature, an old registration document dating from 2002, a 2003 MOT certificate and a selection of old tax discs. A handwritten receipt records the sale of the car from its previous keeper to the current Vendor in 2019 for repairs.

The 2003 MOT certificate records 81,889 miles. This, together with the sequential mileage entries following the engine replacement, supports the currently displayed mileage of 83,477.

The Model:

The Jaguar XJ-C was the two-door coupé derivative of the Series 2 XJ and remains one of the most distinctive Jaguars of the period. Its longer front doors, pillarless side glass and flowing roofline gave it a notably elegant profile compared with the four-door saloon.

In 5.3-litre form, the XJ-C was powered by Jaguar's V12 engine coupled to an automatic transmission, combining effortless performance with the refinement expected of the marque. Production was comparatively short-lived, making surviving examples considerably less common than equivalent XJ saloons.

Sale Insight:

An appealing and increasingly uncommon XJ-C combining V12 power, attractive blue and black presentation and a characterful black leather interior. Its Bournemouth-supplied history, 19-stamp service record and documented replacement engine add further interest, while the available mileage records support the current reading of 83,477 miles. Now running and driving following a long period off the road, it presents as a usable example of one of Jaguar's most distinctive 1970s grand touring coupés.

Estimate:
£12,500-£15,000