XJ220 MISSION

KERRY MANOLAS ORDERED THE FIRST XJ220 IN AUSTRALIA. IAN CUMMINS PICKED IT UP WITH HIM.

- PAUL CUMMINS

WHEN JAGUAR ANNOUNCED PRODUCTION OF THE XJ220, 1400 people worldwide laid down a £50,000 deposit. In Australia, the company was getting two purchase enquiries a day on average, with many firm offers. Initially, seven cars were set aside for Australia, but when orders closed on February 14, 1990, only three were allocated; one each to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

The XJ220 concept debuted at the 1988 British International Motor Show in Birmingham, producing an overwhelming response from the public. It even overshadowed the Ferrari F40.

Jaguar's idea was to produce a car in-house that could run in Group B at the Le Mans 24 Hour race and also be accessible to the privateer teams. Its inspiration was the C-Types and D-Types Jaguar designed and produced in the 1950s.

The concept car was fitted with an ex-TWR 6.2-litre dry-sump V12 engine. It was also all-wheel drive. Initially, the project did not have official support, and Chief Engineer Jim Randle put together a group of volunteers who worked after hours to design and build the concept. The concept itself did not cost Jaguar very much to construct, because Jim pulled in favours from eager suppliers and engineering companies.