Spotted: TWR Jaguar XJ-S V12
It's got a V12! And two-tone paint! What's not to like?
That said, time has done the XJ-S’s ‘challenging’ looks many favours. Today, the long, low profile has an elegance and a drama that could never have been predicted, while details like the sweeping buttresses, ovoid headlamps and squat glasshouse all add character. The good kind, that is, as opposed to “character".
This one, however, is not your usual XJ-S. When this one emerged from the factory, it went straight back into another workshop – that of TWR, the company whose credits include taking V12-powered XJ-Ss to European Touring Car Championship and Bathurst 1000 victories in 1984 and 1985 respectively. TWR ran a programme which honed and fettled standard XJ-Ss, fitting stiffer springs, gas-filled dampers, four-pot callipers, a free-flowing exhaust system, a GRP bodykit (designed in the wind tunnel) and 18-inch Speedline alloy wheels. It was such a success that Jaguar eventually formed a joint venture with the company, JaguarSport, and made the TWR XJ-S an official model – the XJR-S.
Inside, there's all the luxury you might expect from a Jag, with chunky strips of polished walnut, swathes of cream leather, thick green carpet which extends up the doors, and plenty of toy-promising buttons smattered around the dash, some of which may even still work. Plus, you get the classic pre-facelift XJ-S barrel gauges reading back your fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage. Splendid.
It's is priced at £7,995, and while that might seem like rather a lot of cash for an old Jag from the era that reliability forgot, XJ-Ss aren’t cheap things anyway, so for a relatively special one with few miles, that figure is actually pretty reasonable. And resplendent in two-tone Moorland over Alpine Green, with what look to be colour-coded alloys, it’s just about as kitsch as you can get. We want it, quite deeply.
JAGUAR XJ-S V12 TWR
(figures for standard XJS V12)
Engine: 5,345cc V12
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Power (hp): 295
Torque (lb ft): 320
MPG: 22.5 (combined)
First registered: 1988
Recorded mileage: 45,150
Price new: £29,900 (plus TWR upgrades)
Yours for: £7,995
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It only shocked stuffy idiots and most of them are only shocked because magazines have briefed them to be.
The numbers show a slightly different story as no one wanted E-Types by the mid 70s. They were fat, ugly, dated and for chavs.
The XJS sold in twice the numbers the E-Type ever did and was a better car.
However, he never did own a V12. One of our customers had one of these early TWR V12s and they really were, IMHO, the dog's bks. With a big engine like that 3 speeds is all you need!
Also had this TWR/ Jag newsletter on the XJS touring cars complete with a massive poster
Proper TWR connection means top of my XJS list. Must buy ticket !
Just found this - one angry cat !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhXLysNl-wE
and loved that too. Have had two pre HE', the firt one was a little er rot in places. The
second one was absolutely rot free and superb. Had a complete bare metal respray. They
just get better looking as the years go by.And as for the V12 engine, it really is one
of the great engine designs of all time. Great cars and they will go up in value without
a doubt.
Not a pleasant car to drive. Always found the XJ6/12 a better car especially the coupe.
Beware of failing switches, a/c problems, suspension woes, headgaskets,rust, etc etc
"4 pot brakes"?? They had those as stock IIRC
8 grand SOTW
I often wonder if I should have taken the plunge and got a V12 but I bottled it the moment I had a look under the bonnet of one ...
This TWR V12 is a huge amount of car for the money
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