Jaguar XJ220 Coupé, 1993
Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar XJ220•
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Chassis No.: SAJJEAEX7AX220740
Engine No.: 6A10154SB
Estimate: £375,000 - £425,000 GBP
- One of only 69 right-hand drive examples
- UK resident all its life
- Serviced exclusively by recognised specialists Don Law Racing
- 7,555 miles from new
"... enthusiasts now view the (XJ220) for what it is – one of the world's all-time great supercars, that's still capable of showing a disappearing tailpipe or two to far more modern machinery; with a verified top speed of 212.3mph it was the fastest production car in the world from 1992 to 1993, and it could hit 60mph from rest in a disdainful 3.6 seconds." – Motoring Classics
, spring 2020.
The words 'supercar' and 'sensational' are often to be found in conjunction, and no more justifiably so than in the case of Jaguar's fabulous XJ220. Worthy successor to the XK120 and E-Type, the XJ220 grabbed the headlines, just as its illustrious forebears had done in previous decades, when it burst upon an astonished world at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1991. This time though, the newest Jaguar could claim a title denied its predecessors: that of 'The World's Fastest Car', and with a projected top speed of 220mph, even eclipsed Ferrari's flagship F40.
A limited production run of a minimum of 220 and a maximum of 350 cars, combined with an eventual VAT-inclusive price tag of nearly £403,000, only served to further ensure the XJ220's exclusivity. In the event, approximately 270 had been built when production ended in 1994. Of those
circa
270, only 69 were right-hand drive like this beautiful low-mileage example.
Planning for Jaguar's proposed 200mph supercar had begun in the mid-1980s - design proceeding mainly in the project team's spare time! - and finally bore fruit when the prototype was exhibited at the UK Motor Show in 1988. The XJ220 survived Jaguar's takeover by Ford the following year, but when it eventually entered production in 1992 was a very different beast. Gone was the prototype's 6.2-litre V12 engine, replaced by a Tom Walkinshaw Racing-developed, 3.5-litre, twin-turbo V6 derived from that used in the XJR-11 sports-racer, while other casualties of the need to simplify the design for production included the prototype's four-wheel drive and adaptive suspension.
Producing no less than 542bhp, this stupendous engine enabled the XJ220 to meet its 200mph-plus design target, F1 driver Martin Brundle recording a speed of over 217mph during track testing. The 0-100mph time was staggering 7.9 seconds!
Drawing on experience gained from Jaguar's double-Le Mans-winning Group C sports racers, the XJ220 was constructed around a bonded and riveted monocoque chassis formed from lightweight, corrosion resistant, aluminium-alloy sheet re-enforced by aluminium honeycomb sections in highly stressed areas. Similarly race-derived was the double-wishbone suspension, adapted to provide acceptable comfort under road conditions, while other competition-influenced features were the AP Racing brakes, Speedline aluminium alloy wheels (17" diameter at the front, 18" at the rear) and FF Developments, five-speed, all-synchromesh transaxle with viscous-control, limited-slip differential.
Finished in Spa Silver and delivered to its first owner in 1993, this car has remained in the UK its entire life. It has had only four owners and has covered a mere 7,555 miles from new. All servicing has been carried out by recognised specialists Don Law Racing from the first visit in 1995 for the car's 24-month service at 908 miles. When Jaguar washed its hands of the XJ220 project, Don Law Racing had picked up the pieces and eventually purchased the remaining spares and tooling. They have been the go-to specialists for XJ220 owners ever since.
Since that first visit the XJ220 has visited Don's workshop on a further 10 occasions, the last being in 2022 for a 24-month no expense spared service and fuel tank inspection at 7,500 miles. All of the engine gaskets have been renewed along with the clutch. It was noted that the car retained its bright plating around the engine, transmission and suspension, an indication that the car has always been stored well and not subjected to poor conditions. It was also noted during the latest service that the pistons and bores remain unmarked and in excellent condition.
In 2002 the car was fitted with upgraded brakes courtesy of Don Law (those familiar with XJ220s will appreciate how important this is). In addition, a new screen was fitted in 2002; the fuel cells were last replaced in 2014 at 5,010 miles together with all associated hoses and pipes and is still in good condition; and the tyres last renewed in 2016. Recently inspected by Jaguar Classic, this exceptional XJ220 comes with all books, two sets of keys and a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate.
