1986 Jaguar XJ Sovereign v12 5.3 EFi

1986 - Jaguar XJ Series 3 v12 Sovereign

It may surprise people, following the story of this car since I picked it up in the late spring of 2024, but I’ve decided to sell it as I have too many projects and my 1965 S Type needs my dedicated time and space.

This XJ is a road worthy, reliable modern classic that I’ve spent the last 6 or so months fixing and repairing a whole host of issues, some serious, some easy and some just because the car deserves it, bringing it back to an acceptable level for day to day driving.

Current Miles 101000 - MOT until 19th April

You would need to be a fairly competent home DIY motor enthusiast to take this car on - I’m no expert but have some experience of older cars and it’s been pretty straight forward for me. With the support of my trusty local independent Jaguar specialist at SE Jags Ltd, we have completed something like 25 jobs the car needed when I purchased it.

The car has also been dry stored since I bought it and hasn’t been in the rain on a wet road for nearly 7 months now.

The overwhelming selling point on this car is that it runs mechanically, near enough, perfectly. If you want a cheap entry point into the world of the Jaguar v12 5. 3 litre electronic fuel injected engine - this is it.

You get a whole lot of car for your money.

The worst part of this car is the bodywork which I would describe as average - good in some places and poor (mainly around the windscreens) in others - I am very very fussy and there are far more worse examples out there but this is not a concourse car and i want to be transparent.

* The air conditioning compressor was removed previous to my ownership but as afar as I can see all the system is still there and works but no cooled air.

* The cruise control has also been removed so there is no cruise control.

You could argue with these two components missing from the top of the engine, there is more room to maintain the rest of what’s going on under the bonnet. I don't miss them.

* The rear passenger electric window motor has been disconnected as it needs attention and I do not want to risk it being stuck down.

* Headlining needs re assembling but is neatly held up with pins.

* The battery warning light comes on/ goes away because the regulator on the alternator is faulty - however it charges the brand new battery and there are no issues in the 1500 miles I've driven it.

* The 'bulb out' system on the side and dipped lights shows a false positive when the lights are on - there are no issues with the lights.

* There is a small oil leak from the worn gasket of LHS and RHS rocker covers - it's lost no more than half a litre of oil in the last 1500 miles - it doesn't impact the oil pressure but it does make a bit of a mess on the engine. It would have been one of my next 'involved' jobs.

Everything else works as it should and if interested, I will list all the things I’ve fixed, where I sourced the parts, to what I think is an acceptable level for the price.. Here are some of the important jobs completed.

* Complete overhaul of the Ignition and Fuel Injection system including new fuel rail and injectors. Plugs, leads, dist. cap, rotor arm etc. Adjusted and tuned accordingly - she now sits and the correct RPM at idle and powers through the gears as she was designed to.

Replacement of Auxiliary Air Control Valve plus all related vacuum pipes - the wax cartridge had failed and the correct idle speed could not be achieved either cold or warmed up.

Replacement of both coolant thermostats - both had failed and the engine could not meet a constant and correct operating temperature

Replacement of failed RHS Fuel Tank gauge sender - no fuel reading on the RHS tank

Replacement of failed Autobox lower mount bush - the autobox would clonk the bottom of the car each time it pulled away under power.

Replacement of an array of failed switches and fuses affecting many of the cars internal electrical features and functions - Cigar Lighter, Car Radio, instrument illumination, interior lighting, electric windows, instrument gauges - all repaired and now working.

So… if you want a very easy running project with a special car that drives as it should with some bodywork jobs and a few easy electrical issues to fix… this is it. I will be sorry to see it go but i need the space in my dry storage.

No time wasters please. This is either a car for an existing Jaguar enthusiast or an entry point for someone who has some level of experience of home DIY mechanics. You will be able to drive it away.

This may be important to some but its currently 2 years away from being Tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt.

- details above

And

- details above car was originally owned for 15 years by a mechanic. I purchased it from a guy that saved it at (we think probate) auction and it was too much work for him to take on. It has some service history but not all. A vehicle inspection carried out when I first purchased showed recent work on the brakes, underbody, bodywork and new tyres. I firmly believe I saved this car from an uncertain future, resolved a whole host of issues which has given it a new lease of life. Its now a daily running car and the next owner can focus on the next set of things that need sorting… this v12 car can seriously move and it eats motorway miles like nothing I’ve ever driven.