Jaguar XJ220, 1993
Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar XJ220•
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Chassis No.: SAJJEAEX8AX220797
- Exterior: Monza Red
- Interior: Sand
- 2,922 kilometers
- No. 237 of 281 total units built
- No. 1 of 7 left hand drive Monza over Sand XJ220s
- $40,000 restoration completed by Canepa in 2014
- 3.5L/542 HP twin-turbocharged V-6 engine
- 5-Speed manual transmission
- 212 MPH top speed
- Rear wheel drive
- Monza Red exterior
- Sand interior
- Service and parts manual
- Owner’s handbook
- Sales and service directory
- Audio system handbook
- European Emergency Assistance handbook
- Service records and warranty handbook
- Extra keys
Once in a while, a car company delivers a refreshingly wonderful surprise that reminds motoring enthusiasts of the joys of being a motorhead. The Jaguar XJ220 is one of those cars—a complete surprise to everyone, including Jaguar bosses. Only 281 were built between 1992 and 1994, but with window stickers in the $500,000 neighborhood, there’s little wonder as to why so few were built. Only seven left-hand drive examples were produced in Monza Red with a Sand interior like this one, and of those seven, this is the first; it’s also the 237th XJ220 built.
Having covered just 2,992 kilometers from new (1,859 miles), it was given a $40,000 restoration by Canepa in 2014 and will be sold with the service and parts manual, owner’s handbook, sales and service directory, audio system handbook, European Emergency Assistance Handbook, warranty handbook, service records, extra keys and a car cover, lending it the sense of a very well-sorted example. The Jaguar’s 3.5L/542 HP twin-turbocharged V-6 engine mounted forward of the rear wheels but aft of the passenger compartment channels power through a 5-speed manual transmission and out to the rear wheels, propelling the car to a top speed of 212 MPH.
Sprints from 0-60 MPH take a mere 3.6 seconds—for 1992, that was pure insanity. Through the 1980s, Jaguar did very well with IMSA Racing, which inspired members of the company to create a flagship production sports car in the spirit of their successes and as a nod back to the C- and D-Type Jaguars. It would be very exotic and race-inspired with a twin-cam 48-valve V-12 engine, a 5-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. The shape of the body would be largely indicative of IMSA cars, again with cues of previous Jaguar racing and road cars, and the interior would be a place of absolute luxury.
Interestingly, while developing the ultra-exotic halo car, racing rules changed and fuel consumption became an interest, which would create trouble for the racing V-12; a recession clouded the once bright skies of the world economy, and new, stricter emissions regulations in various key nations caused major engineering headaches for the production V-12 engine, all of which was spelling an end to the V-12 entirely. As the complications continued, Jaguar brass simplified things by suspending the XJ220 project. The leaders of the project turned to employees to volunteer their time and work on evenings and weekends to help see the project through.
The concept was unveiled at the London Motor Show and created a frenzy from media and the public alike, generating 1,500 deposits of £50,000 each. As the skies darkened with the aforementioned complications percolating into real obstacles, Jaguar engineers opted to use a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine over the originally planned V-12, nixing the all-wheel drive platform for a more straightforward rear-wheel drive design, which would drive away many original depositors. Too bad for those depositors, as the smaller V-6 gave the XJ220 a huge advantage in weight, balance and handling, and many agreed the V-12 would have been much more problematic than the V-6.
With the economy flattening out, there was worry the cars wouldn’t be sellable, however, thanks to blistering performance, uncompromisingly high levels of interior amenities and comforts, an astonishingly beautiful design and drivability, people warmed up to the XJ220. This example was restored to a high level, is one of seven built in this color combination and among the last of the XJ220s built, all adding up to what an exquisite opportunity this car is.
