Vicki Butler-Henderson reviews a stunning 1992 Jaguar XJ220 (Lot 178)

Historics is the UK's premier auction house for the sale and purchase of the finest historic, classic and sports cars and motoring memorabilia.
Sunday 18th April 2021 @ Ascot Racecourse
Viewing Days:
Wednesday 14th April 2021 9am - 5pm
Thursday 15th April 2021 9am - 5pm
Friday 16th April 2020 2021 9am - 5pm
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Full description below:
- Car number 97 from Jaguar’s limited production run
- Thoroughly recommissioned at a cost of over £61,000
- Presented in first class condition
The story behind the Jaguar XJ220 is an inspiring one. Professor Jim Randall, the head of Jaguar's engineering department, started the ball rolling by sketching out some ideas whilst on a Christmas holiday in the 1980's. It was the stuff of fantasies - V12, 4WD, slippery body with ground effects. Together with colleagues in the 'Saturday Club' at Jaguar (so called because they met out of hours and at weekends to work on unofficial pet projects) they toyed with the idea until Jaguar started getting genuinely excited by the idea and official plans were put in place to build what was to be the fastest ever road car at the time.
The Birmingham Motor Show in 1988 saw the unveiling of the powered concept with the design featuring a V12, fuel injected, 48 valve 530BHP engine delivering its output to all four wheels. As expected, orders came flooding in, even with the necessary £50,000 deposit required to go on the waiting list. However, when the car came to fruition some four years later the economy had change dramatically and so had the car. The V12 became a V6 twin turbo, effectively the Metro 6R4 powerplant and the four-wheel drive became two-wheel drive. Unsurprisingly, many orders were cancelled and deposits returned. However, the use of the V6 allowed the chassis to be shortened, although the proportions of this car are still truly impressive. The engine sits behind the two-seat cabin, with a tiny boot available behind that. The styling is heavily influenced by the need to cool the highly tuned engine and also to provide sufficient downforce to keep the car steady at the 217mph top speed.
Delivered on 14th December 1992, this XJ220 was registered to Mr. Jean Blaton in Belgium and has covered 22,699km (circa 14,100 miles) from new. The car has been through periods whereby it was used and well serviced by British Auto Center in Antwerp, by JaguarSport Ltd in Banbury and by Jaguar Cars in Browns Lane. Supplied with a NOVA certificate, it would appear the car has previously been registered in the UK which would make obtaining a UK registration number and document a relatively straight forward process. Finished in Silverstone Green Metallic with grey leather interior, this lefthand drive example has recently been recommissioned by Don Law, the XJ220 guru. Work included a six-year service, new timing belts, replacing all the seals and gaskets on the engine, overhauling and re-sealing the brake system, as well as other additional work. The total invoice cost was £61,760.03. This work was completed in October 2020. Now presenting in first class order and ‘ready to go’, car number 97 from Jaguar’s limited production run is sure to bring much joy to the new owner.