Highlights

Freshly restored by classic car specialist
Over £3,000 in recent new parts
Lovely condition inside and out
Superb interior

The Appeal

A 5.3-litre V12 might not sound like the obvious engine to be christened ‘High Efficiency’ but that’s what the initials stood for on the July 1981-onwards Jaguar XJS HE.

The company’s new High-Efficiency V12 engine offered much better fuel economy – albeit relative at around 18mpg. With a Fire Ball combustion chamber designed by Swiss Engineer Michael May, power output was increased 295bhp. At the same time, the XJS HE received changes to its exterior and interior, with HE models identifiable by their body-coloured boot trim and new alloy wheel design.

Today, the HE models are among the more collectable XJS derivatives – more efficient than the earliest cars but still retaining their classic looks. This one is one of the very last – a 1991 car, built right at the end of HE manufacture, ahead of the XJS’s 1990s facelift.

It has been restored over the past two years by a classic car specialist in Suffolk and comes with a full inventory of work carried out, including around £3,400 in recent parts invoices and labour costs of over £6,500. It’s a great example, in stunning condition inside and out.

Smart XJSs are highly prized, and this one is a truly lovely example, as well as being a V12 HE, which to many fans is the one to have.

The History and Paperwork

Original green Jaguar book pack
Supplied new by Dutton Forshaw of Preston
Hardback handbook
Some old MOTs
V5C
New MOT valid until October 2025, no advisory notices
Partial service history to 40,319 miles in 2009
Off the road from 2013 until completion of recent restoration
Full inventory and breakdown of work carried out during restoration, along with almost £3,400 in new parts
Instrument binnacle replaced during restoration (documented) and the overall mileage is believed to be around 20,000 miles lower than displayed on dash, backed up by old MOTs and service history – mileage recorded at last MOT was 43,225

The Condition

Smart Arctic Blue metallic
Original multi-spoke lattice alloys with new period-style Pirelli P6000 tyres
Very good paintwork, partially restored
Seemingly solid underneath with no signs of any corrosion
All original chrome and trim in good order throughout
One minor dink on nearside front wing top
One or two very slight paint imperfection, but in excellent condition overall
Lovely ivory leather
Immaculate seats, carpets and trim
No notable wear to seat bolsters
Original ‘rotunda’ dials
Original tool kit and spare wheel carpet
Trip computer
Air conditioning
Superb wood veneers
Cruise control
Electric windows
Modern CD stereo upgrade

The Mechanics

5.3-litre V12
3-spd auto
Lucas electronic ignition
Starts and runs well
Steering, brakes and suspension
No warning lights on dash
Fully serviced and treated to a comprehensive mechanical overhaul as part of its restoration

BEFORE YOU BUY

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✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

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