Description
Original unmolested unrestored 1973 Jaguar XJ12 Series 1 SWB, imported from California to Finland in 2012 and since then stored in a climate controlled garage, mostly original beautifully patinated paint, Old English White, that beautifully highlights the graceful shapes of this iconic car.
Very rare car, only 1762 LHD cars were made between July 1972 and August 1973, not very many left today. For the time being, left-hand drive XJ12 SWB cars for sale are rare as hen's teeth, worldwide.
When introduced, the XJ12 became the world’s only mass-produced 12-cylinder sedan and, with a top speed of 140mph (225km/ h) and 0-60 in 7. 4 seconds, the fastest four-door of its time, all this at a fraction of the cost of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. Car & Driver wrote in Oct. 1972: ”It’s not only the best Jaguar ever built…. it may just be the best sedan available anywhere in the world”. Autocar continued in May 1973: “It is a marvellous achievement, deservedly the envy of the world”. Even Mercedes engineers admitted that Jaguar's V12 was “the best production engine in the world”.
The bodywork of this car is immaculate: It's structurally totally rust-free, perfect sills, door bottoms, wheel arches, floorpans, rear valance, spare tire compartment etc.. Some light surface rust visible in the engine compartment. Interior is also in very nice shape, but needs headlining and sunvisors, the wood veneer on the dashboard is perfect, but the clear coat needs to be redone. The car would benefit of a tune-up after long storage, engine starts fine, but runs somewhat uneven, all gears and brakes work fine. AC doesn't blow cold, clock doesn't run, oil pressure gauge works randomly, rear and front window seal are cracked, rear right muffler has a hole, tyres are cracked, tools and jack are missing.
Despite some minor flaws this car is a milestone in the history of motoring offering timeless elegance and effortless performance combined with silence, smoothness and refinement, that only a few cars up to 90’s could match.
The net price of this vehicle is 18. 500, 00 Euros and is valid for companies, who have a valid VAT-number in the EU. Private buyers pay Finnish VAT on top of the net price, which is for the moment 24% making the total price 22. 940, 00 Euros. Selling to countries outside the EU is also possible.
