2024-02-04 11:04:16 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 2/24

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1976-jaguar-xj-c-v12-nrOxm4

Auction description:

1975 Jaguar XJC

Colour Grey

Odometer 9,176 Kilometres

Engine size 5300

Seller Type Trade

Town Zwartsluis

Country Netherlands

Superb coupe-bodied XJ with V12 power

One of just 1,855 V12 XJ-Cs

3,000 euros recently invested on servicing and mechanicals

Tastefully modified with blacked-out chromework 

Sparing recent use 

Enthusiast owned and part of a small collection

The History and Paperwork

First registered on 21st January 1976 according to Dutch registration documentation 

Registered by the seller in the Netherlands on 12th February 2021

He acquired the car from a German specialist dealer

The dealer advised that the car was a one family from new vehicle

However there is no documentation to verify this 

Unfortunately the history prior to the seller’s acquisition has been lost

A Jaguar Heritage Certificate verifies some of the details above

It shows the car was originally white with a black interior 

It was manufactured on 30th October 1975 and despatched on 14th November 1975

This makes it one of the first XJ-C built 

The car was supplied new to Dusseldorf, Germany 

Last serviced in March 2021

Although little used since the seller advises that the car would benefit from servicing 

The 2021 service work included:

Oil, air and fuel filters changed

Brake fluid flushed and changed

Power steering fluid flushed and changed

Auto transmission fluid changed

Fuel line repairs

Rear brake callipers replaced

Layshaft rubber replaced

Transmission mountings replaced

Steering ball joints on both sides replaced

Steering box cover 

Right-hand upper and lower ball joints replaced

Water pump and belt 

Coolant system flushed, refilled and bled

Spark plugs replaced 

There was no obvious need for it because Jaguar already had a nominally four-seater coupe in the form of the XJ-S. But buyers liked the XJ-C’s more conservative - and utterly gorgeous - Jaguar styling and particularly the choice of XK six-cylinder or V12 propulsion. 

Just 1,855 V12 Jaguar-badged XJ-Cs were built over two short years before those troublesome and costly engineering issues and BL rationalisation killed it. Today the XJ-C has a growing following as one of the rarest and most beautiful Jaguar coupes of all time. 

The seller acquired this car from a specialist dealer in Dusseldorf on the understanding that it was a one-family-from-new vehicle. It is correctly registered in the Netherlands. It appears to have been restored prior to this including a colour change to dove grey. The chromework has also been professionally refinished in black across the bumpers, badges, trim pieces and screen surround. 

The Interior

Original and unrestored black leather interior showing the gentle patina of age

Very presentable interior with light signs of wear and scope to improve

Dashboard veneer presentable but with a couple of areas of light cracking 

Black leather seats appear original and show some wear to the front and rear squabs

Door cards in good condition with clean, undamaged vinyl and complete fittings

Smiths dials appear original and with clear, clean and undamaged faces

The centre console retains its subtle ‘V12’ decal

Switchgear appears original and shows some signs of age but presentable 

Centre console rear edge in rear area shows signs of wear

Fitted with front and rear seatbelts 

The Exterior

Restored bodywork refinished in dove grey with blacked chromework 

The grey and black colour scheme works well and has been done to a high standard

Straight bodywork with no visible corrosion and clean, consistent panel gaps 

Factory correct vinyl roof in good condition with no visible damage or deterioration 

Chromework is complete and has been carefully dechromed to black 

Desirable GKN alloy wheels in presentable condition 

The alloys show some light tarnishing and kerbing on some edges, but not unsightly 

Quality Pirelli Cinturato tyres with plenty of tread

Small crack in paintwork on driver’s side edge of the screen scuttle

Small scuffs on the blacked out aluminium screen surround

Small chip on edge of passenger door 

Screen surrounds otherwise show good metalwork with no visible corrosion 

No soundproofing under bonnet 

The Mechanics 

5.3litre Jaguar V12 fuel-injected engine developing around 285bhp 

3spd automatic Borg Warner gearbox 

3,000 Euros expended in 2021 to service car including cooling system, brakes and running gear

Has covered very few miles since