RE: Showpiece of the Week: Jaguar XJ220

[TCEvo]

Sat in one that was doing a tour of Jag showrooms - Chelmsford Jaguar (now an Audi dealership).

Can't remember if it was a "real" one or pre-production/mock-up etc. They had Jan Lammers there signing copies of an '88 LM review book so suspect it must've been '89.

Still a fantastic looking thing - several parked up together at SS Classic 17 was quite something.

[anonymous-user]

They are a rare sight, but I was driving through Lanelli (which is a dump) about 8 years ago and saw a blue/purple one driving along. Looked astounding mixed up with the Protons, Mk 1 Focus's, and other stheaps

FWIW the V12 prototype at Gaydon is even more ridiculous than the production car and well worth a look.

[BigChiefmuffinAgain]

AdamV12AMR said:

Given how many of your posts seem to start with "My Dad had one of these", you must have had a wonderful childhood

It had it's moments... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[RacerMike]

clonmult said:

Lotobear said:

Metro 6R4 engine I seem to recall.

There's a silver one local to me - when it tootles through the 30mph zone the engine sounds like the proverbial sack of hammers

Same basic engine, but worked on - which was one of the problems with the car. It is difficult to sell a supercar when the engine was previously seen in a metro, regardless of how amazing the metro was.

Personally always thought the XJR-15 was the way better looking car, the 220 left me a little cold.

Although by the point people were able to put deposits on the car, it was already known that it would have a twin turbo V6. I believe the often mentioned reason for people pulling out being the switch from a V12 is actually just a reason invented by lawyers of those who wanted their deposits back. Not one person who put a deposit down would have been under any illusion they were getting a V12.

[300bhp/ton]

clonmult said:

Lotobear said:

Metro 6R4 engine I seem to recall.

There's a silver one local to me - when it tootles through the 30mph zone the engine sounds like the proverbial sack of hammers

Same basic engine, but worked on - which was one of the problems with the car. It is difficult to sell a supercar when the engine was previously seen in a metro, regardless of how amazing the metro was.

I'm not sure that is true at all. Plenty of "supercars" before and after have used mundane engines from other sources.

The engine was a purpose built racing engine with architecture based on the Cosworth DFV.

[grumpy52]

One of the guys that I worked with had a son that went through a fairly messy divorce.
On selling the family home and splitting the proceedings he bought an XJ220 and a mobile home . The car spent most of its time on display in the local Jaguar showroom .
He freely admits that heart overruled the head but it was the only way that he was going to realise a dream .

[Love JDM]

I had a 1:18 scale model of one of these when I were a young boy.

They had always looked amazing but until now I genuinely never knew they were only powered by a V6.

This is a bit like meeting your celebrity idol to find out they're a complete tt.

[viggyp]

That is lovely especially in that colour. First poster stated about the power seeming weedy nowadays and definitely not wrong especially looking at how an Alfa Giulia QF has similar power. The one thing that I can't get my head around is how big the 220 is despite having a small engine...and that is after they shortened the prototype after binning the V12.

I'd still rather have an F40 but would love both if in a lucky position.

[autofocus]

Hi there,

In the ad it states : -

"the car then became the property of flamboyant champagne dealer"

That would be my old boss. No longer with us I'm afraid but he spoke very fondly of the car and many of the lads in the warehouse who are still with the firm have great memories of the car.

I was lucky enough to have a really good look at the car when it sold a few years ago at a Silverstone auctions sale at the NEC.

http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1994-jaguar-xj2...

it had also sold the year before as well.

www.silverstoneauctions.com/1994-jaguar-xj220

I'm a huge XJ220 fan and have seen a fair number over the years. A true highlight for me was seeing so many out on track at Silverstone for the 25th Anniversary celebrations





Regards

Tim

Edited by autofocus on Monday 26th November 16:19

[NJJ]

autofocus said:

Hi there,

In the ad it states : -

"the car then became the property of flamboyant champagne dealer"

That would be my old boss. No longer with us I'm afraid but he spoke very fondly of the car and many of the lads in the warehouse who are still with the firm have great memories of the car.

I was lucky enough to have a really good look at the car when it sold a few years ago at a Silverstone auctions sale at the NEC.

http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1994-jaguar-xj2...

it had also sold the year before as well.

www.silverstoneauctions.com/1994-jaguar-xj220

Regards

Tim

Very interesting especially when you look at what it sold at auction for in prior years.

[Mr E]

MarJay said:

What is crazy is 500bhp from a 3.5 litre V6...

Ford EcoBoost is a similar sized v6 with ~650bhp

I agree that 500bhp was *st tons* back in the day. And now seems “lots, but not silly”

[ilovequo]

Anyone else find it a bit repulsive that someone might blow over half a mil on a toy like this that theyll never drive?!
Yes its a free country (apparently), a free market economy (apparently) and none of my business but it seems like this is a ludicrous object to want to plow that amount of money into

[Scrimper]

ilovequo said:

Anyone else find it a bit repulsive that someone might blow over half a mil on a toy like this that theyll never drive?!
Yes its a free country (apparently), a free market economy (apparently) and none of my business but it seems like this is a ludicrous object to want to plow that amount of money into

Rather strange comment, why would they not drive it? My car has similarly low miles but still gets regular use. The parade at Silverstone classic was full of cars that are regularly used. Should someone decide not to drive it that’s their choice (and their loss). Can understand why people look at cars like this as investments. Even so, don’t see it as obscene any more than say a holiday villa that barely gets used or art, jewellery etc.

[300bhp/ton]

Love JDM said:

I had a 1:18 scale model of one of these when I were a young boy.

They had always looked amazing but until now I genuinely never knew they were only powered by a V6.

This is a bit like meeting your celebrity idol to find out they're a complete tt.

why?

[ArmaghMan]

Anyone know of one which spent a considerable amount of time in Northern Ireland?

[Scrimper]

The engine is a race engine, having been used in the Jaguar xjr11 group c racing cars and based on the metro 6r4 engine developed exclusively for gp b rallying. I personally find the car better for having this engine....but I might be biased...

[Escort Si-130]

Loved the styling from the front and the side. The rear didn't cut it imo. Just never looked right with the rest of the car. The engine grill and tail lamps make the car look old.

[rix]

richiekuk said:

I was at the NEC, as a child when the XJ220 was unveiled. I was in awe of it then, and I still love it now.
It’s almost unreal to think that 500bhp was “cutting edge”, but as is the speed of progress.

I was there also as a youngun. Randomly remember watching two blokes off 'the bill' being shown around the car as if they were A list celebs...

[DP33]

I've got a 1/12th model of an XJ220 in my study in this exact colour combination. Always had a huge soft spot for them, even though I know other cars from the era are probably better objectively. Couldn't care less though - and that for me is what real supercars are about.

[crofty1984]

autofocus said:

Regards

Tim

Edited by autofocus on Monday 26th November 16:19

Is that Transit what I think it is?