HERE COMES THE XJs

Tony looks to recent auctions to see that Jaguar's XJ models are climbing in value and desirability

I’M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT IS going on, but it reminds me of waiting for a London bus. You know, the traditional reply is: “They are like bananas, they come in bunches”, but swap 'bananas' for 'XJ12s'. Classic Car Auctions coyly held a sale of forty cars titled 'The Warwick Collection'. There was no fooling those in the know – I am sure this was Jaguar Classic having a clear-out of some of the cars they purchased en bloc from James Hull a few years back. Forty cars and quite a selection. Ranging from a Daimler Majestic through six XJ-S's (including a Lynx Eventer) nine XJ6's of all types and twelve XJ12's.

Watching this auction via the internet was akin to having a prescription for Mogadon; God it was slow, and the bidding was, without doubt, sparse, being, as it was, on the telephone. There were moments, make no mistake, like a rare 1969 XJ6 S1 manual overdrive selling for £10,268, whereas the next lot, a similar car but auto, didn’t make £3000. Of course, they weren’t in the same condition, but I am trying to convey a trend here. Moving to the V12 XJ models of S1, 2, and 3 you could take your pick; a 1992 S3 Double-Six for £11,300, or perhaps an XJ40 Majestic for £12,000, or how about a S1 Double-Six for £13,300?

As I write, there is a lovely 1986 Burgundy XJ12, history from new, only £4500, and the auction closing tonight. If you are going into battle, pick your ground carefully. But, if you are in the market for a groan – 'investment', then you should look no further than a nice XJ-S at this moment it seems.