HERE COMES THE XJs

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

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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.