Jaguar XJS 4.0 | Spotted
Don't fancy a new TWR XJS restomod? Try this one instead...
Whether you like the idea of a new TWR XJS designed by Magnus Walker and The Kyza or not, it’s hard not to be just a little intrigued about what’s in store. Whatever the team creates, it promises to be an XJS like none of us have ever seen before.
And that’s great news. It’s hardly like they’re going to be reimagining every single XJS in existence, it’s always beneficial to have our beliefs challenged, and it’s brilliant to see the Jaguar two-door that wasn’t the E-Type properly in the limelight. Though the XJS has begun to be appreciated more of late, it still seems to live somewhat in the shadow of cars that came before and after it. Which doesn’t really seem fair for a car that achieved so much once Tom Walkinshaw had decided it should be a touring car.
A couple of things are guaranteed for the Fergus Walkinshaw TWR XJS. First is that the new car won’t be seen until next year at the earliest (so owning and driving is definitely some way off), plus it’s hardly likely to be a bargain restomod. Largely that’s par for the course when it comes to restoring and optimising a classic, though it’s also hard to imagine that the efforts of the Urban Outlaw and the man responsible for a million-user following on Instagram come cheap.
So what if the TWR news has rekindled a fondness for the XJS, you want something a little different from the norm, and you want it now? Well, try this one out. Though not a V12 as the TWR will be, this 4.0-litre straight-six does benefit from a host of improvements and upgrades that give it more visual impact, should make it drive better, and are sure to upset the purists. Sounds fantastic…
We all did some things we’re unlikely to do again in 2020; for the previous owner of this Jaguar, that meant spending £30,000 creating the car you see here. What originally intended to rejuvenate an interior past its best became a glass-out respray; that became a colour change to the Emerald Fire Green seen on later XJs and XKs. Then the really fun stuff starts: this XJS sits 80mm lower (!) than standard on Eibach springs and Gaz dampers.
It’s polybushed and rides on 18-inch ATC wheels that have surely never been tucked up in Jaguar wheelarches before. The brakes are uprated, and while the engine is standard, it benefits from a recent top end refresh and stunning stainless steel exhaust. It’s easy to see where the money (lots of it) was spent.
And that’s before getting to the interior. Originally the intention was to resurrect that leather that wasn’t as good as it was painted to be (quite literally) in the previous advert pics; what eventually happened was complete reupholstering of the interior by Aldridge Trimming, including a newly veneered dash, additional soundproofing and retrimmed wheel. It now looks like a new XJS interior (probably better, in fact), to go with the newly reworked outside.
As the ad concedes, this won’t be to all tastes, though there can be little arguing with the quality of the work done. This looks a truly spectacular XJS from every angle, and guaranteed to attract looks, stares and comments wherever it goes. At £22,999, moreover, it looks something of a bargain given the money that’s been invested. And a whole lot less than a TWR.
SPECIFICATION | JAGUAR XJS 4.0
Engine: 3,980cc, straight six
Transmission: 4-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 241@4,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 281@4,000rpm
MPG: 25ish
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 1996
Recorded mileage: 120,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £22,999
The paint finish is astonishingly good, and the trim work also. The equal of anything from Newport Pagnell era Aston.
Just don’t let the Instagram cringey duo get their hands on it!
But they have ruined this.
Naff wheels, horrible headlights and an un-necessary spoiler.
Still, each to their own. Nice to see someone tinkering with an XJS.
The green looks like what the Chinese would put on a fake XJS and the US spec front headlights try too hard to be classic, like the X Type.
Interior looks superb and well done.
Why spend all that money on upgrading the suspension for the straight six? Put in a modern 500bhp supercharged Jag V8 or buy a V12. Drove the factory manager's at Castle Brom with the six. Gutless, did not sound great but what a beautiful car, always got attention and nice place to spend time driving...though interior was small. Perfect with the V12.
Once saw them putting the V12 with transmission in an XJS at Browns Lane. Bonnet off, it was put in vertically and then turned 90 deg in and up into the chassis. Quite a spectacle and slow. Also saw the same in a skip that had failed QC, could have cried.
Spend the money on a gen 1, upgrade the suspension, refurb & upgrade the engine, refurb the interior then it would be worth it.
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