This is an excellent condition V-12 Jaguar finished in Bordeaux (metallic burgundy) over light tan (cream) Connolly hide leather with darker, biscuit tan accents on the dash, door capping’s and seat piping. This V-12 has had three owners from new and is now showing some 89,000 odd miles.

The V-12 is the ultimate of the XJ series (XJ-40) and represents the top of the line in luxury for Jaguar in this year. In essence, it a Vanden Plas with the added feature of having a V-12 engine. It is indeed a very well looked after example that is totally original in presentation.

The Vanden Plas was distinguished from its siblings by the individual styled seats, full leather interior (including door arm-rests, map-pockets console, etc), unique burled walnut wood and teak fine lines on the dash and door capping’s. It has rear seat picnic tables, full length console to the rear, additional chrome, additional courtesy lights, all of which are unique fitments to the Vanden Plas series. The V-12 Jaguar is uniquely identified over the Vanden Plas with a two-tone color leather interior, black radiator grille vanes, a gold "growler" badge on the radiator grille top and special 16-inch alloy wheels. And of course, it sported Jaguar’s famous 6.0-liter V-12 that put out some 320 horse power.

But it was not sheer power that made the V-12 so desirable, but its quietness and smoothness. These V-12s start silently, idle dead smooth and make virtually no noise when cruising.

The interior of this example is in wonderful condition with the burled walnut absolutely stunning without any fading or cracking. The dash is perfect. The clear lacquer finish on the wood has only small hairline marks on the two front doors (hardly noticeable, but mentioned out of "clear disclosure") but is otherwise perfect. The Connolly hide leather seats are factory condition soft and supple with no stains, wear marks or tears. The headlining is all good and there are no sun cracks or fading in the dash or rear parcel shelf. The steering wheel is perfect with no wear. The interior truly is stunning and even smells new.

The paint is in good condition with some minor little scratches, chips and marks. It is very shiny and consistent and presents well for driver use. At a scale out of 10, the owner rates the paint as an “easy eight.”

Mechanically the car is sound with near new Federal 225/60 tires mounted on 16-inch alloy wheels, unique to the V-12 model. They are in good condition without any curb rashes or major pitting. There are no warning lights on the dash and all is good to go. The car was always regularly serviced with recent major work to include new front rotors and pads. The air conditioning and heater both function properly. The car has a clean AutoCheck report with a score of 54 out of a typical range of 36-62.

The owner conveys that this “is an excellent Jaguar V-12 with good miles and makes for an excellent every day or weekend driver. It far exceeds average condition examples and comfortably rates as a 9 out of 10 driver condition which earns it regular compliments.”