Jaguar XJ-S TWR V12 HE 6.1-Litre Lynx Eventer Sports Estate, 1986
Jaguar XJ II (XJ40)
Jaguar XJ II (XJ40)•
•20 مشاهدة
Chassis No.: SAJJNAEW3BC130568
Estimate: £55,000 - £65,000 GBP
- Believed the only Lynx Eventer with in-period TWR upgrades
- Three private owners from new
- Full service history from new
- Professionally restored in 2011
- Engine rebuilt in 2012
- Featured in Jaguar World magazine (January 2012 edition)
Based on an XJ-S V12 HE Coupé, the Lynx Eventer offered here is believed to be the only one upgraded by TWR in period. The Jaguar was sold new by Rocar Moores Ltd (now Rybrook) of Huddersfield and first registered on 1st October 1986 as 'D128 NYG'. Its first owner was Raymond M Burton, CBE, son of Montague Burton, founder of the eponymous chain of men's clothing retailers. Mr Burton changed the registration to 'RMB 1'.
On 21st October 1986, with only 342 miles recorded, the XJ-S commenced conversion to enhanced 6.1-litre specification at Tom Walkinshaw Racing Ltd, renowned specialists in the development of high-performance Jaguars. Former TWR engineer Mr Nigel Grist has recognised the engine as one he built and identified it as the 15th 6.1-litre unit TWR produced. In addition to Mahle forged pistons, machined combustion chambers, and high-lift camshafts, this particular engine (numbered '61L15' by TWR) is fitted with TWR's Engine Efficiency Kit, which included larger air intakes, high-flow air filters, and special spark plugs.
Lynx files quote a maximum output of 380bhp for this particular engine, whereas TWR's 'standard' 6.1-litre engine had a quoted output of 335bhp. Other TWR mechanical modifications included a 'Quickshift' gearbox kit; a TWR suspension kit; and a TWR Power Assisted Steering Valve, while TWR JaguarSport 16" Speedline alloy wheels replaced the standard items.
In January 1987, the XJ-S was despatched to Lynx Engineering of St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex for conversion into one of their Eventer sports estates. Completed in March 1987, this car is the 35th of an estimated 67 Eventer conversions.
The Eventer's next owner was Sheffield-based entrepreneur Mr John Shirtcliffe, who took delivery at the end of August 1991. The car's service records with H R Owen for the period 1986-1991 are on file, and it should be noted that they had replaced the odometer at 16,976 miles on 6th June 1989.
Mr Shirtcliffe registered the car in the name of his company, Shirtcliffe Contracts Ltd, with the mark 'JRS 44'. On 31st October 1996, Mr Shirtcliffe transferred the registration to another company, F M Birch Ltd, of which he was Chairman. While in Mr Shirtcliffe's ownership (1991-2010), the XJ-S was serviced and maintained by Hatfields Ltd of Sheffield (service records and invoices on file). An alarm system/central locking system was fitted by Hatfields in November 1991.
Having been repainted once, the car was stripped and re-sprayed again in its original colour in December 1992 by Ray Boynton Limited of Sheffield. Thin twin gold coach lines (standard on post-1988 models) were applied, replacing the original 'Gold Leaf' coach lines. In 2001, Mr Shirtcliffe transferred the 'JRS 44' mark to another vehicle, and the Eventer's registration reverted again to 'D128 NYG'. The car was stored in F M Birch's warehouse, and during the nine years between the 2001 and 2010 MoTs was driven only 1,504 miles.
In November 2010, Mr Shirtcliffe sold the Eventer to classic car dealer Mike Abbas. Prior to its purchase by the current (third) private owner, the car was inspected by Knowles-Wilkins Engineering Ltd of Thatcham, Berkshire and found to be well presented and in generally good working condition, with current MoT but ripe for restoration. KWE commenced the restoration in 2011, repairing and wax-injecting the chassis and installing their 'S1' package of running gear upgrades. Restoration of the bodywork was contracted to Berkshire Bodyshop of Newbury.
Turning to the interior: a new headlining was made by Trimmania Ltd, while the original trip computer (kept in the glove box) was replaced with a standard analogue XJ-S clock. The outdated telephone installation was removed, and all dashboard and door wood trim replaced with new American burr walnut. The 'ski slope' console received matching veneer, and the gearlever knob was replaced with one in solid walnut. The entire exhaust was replaced with a new stainless steel, large-bore, twin-pipe system, custom-made to TWR specifications by AJ6 Engineering of Bollington, Cheshire. An extensive photographic record of the KWE restoration is available (online and on disk) and all invoices are on file.
Since KWE completed the restoration in June 2011, the car has been maintained and serviced by classic Jaguar specialists Alan Lloyd Motors Ltd of Kingston, Surrey (now A&M Motors Ltd). In June 2012, the engine developed a severe oil leak due to the failure of the original crankshaft seal. Its replacement required the engine's removal, so the decision was made to use the opportunity to strip, inspect and rebuild the engine. As well as comprehensively overhauling the engine, Alan Lloyd also replaced the radiator, water pump, alternator, and battery.
Other components replaced since then include the brake master cylinder, fuel pump, near-side rear damper; right-side mirror; and aerial and motor, while the headlights and dashboard illumination have been converted to LED lighting. A&M has continued to service the car annually and carry out MoT testing; it is currently MoT'd and expired certificates dating back to 1991 are on file.
Since 2013, the XJ-S has been kept garaged and used regularly but sparingly. It was driven to Paris in 2014 and currently displays at total of 71,798 miles on the odometer, making the total from new 88,774 miles. Favourably reviewed in
Jaguar World
magazine's January 2012 edition, this unique Lynx Eventer is worthy of the closest inspection.
