1993 Jaguar XJ220 - Today's Tempter

By: Alex Affat

Date: 23.11.2020

One of around 70 factory right-hand drive examples and one of just four in the country: less than 8,000 miles travelled and road-registerable

The XJ220 concept car was initially presented at the 1988 British International Motorshow as a four-wheel drive package powered by a TWR-developed V12, inspired by cars born out of Group B like the Porsche 959.

However, the production car which appeared at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show was significantly different. Now it was a rear-wheel drive vehicle, with that TWR V12 replaced by a twin-turbo 3.5lt V6. While this polarised opinion in its day, the XJ220 would prove to be a worthy posterchild for the brand and held the title of the ‘world’s fastest production car’ prior to the McLaren F1.

Exact build numbers are up for debate; however, it is widely believed that around 270 XJ220s were produced, of which around 70 were factory right-hand drive.

This stunning and rare example, on offer by Oldtimer Australia in Queensland, is one such right-hand drive example whose Heritage Certificate indicates that it was built on June 16 1993, finished from factory in Le Mans Blue with a Smoke Grey Interior. Believed to have originally been destined for the Japanese market, original invoices show that the car was sold on February 1 1995, through Grange Jaguar LTD in the UK to Mr. Alan J. Finden-Crofts – former CEO of Dunlop Slazenger and the Raleigh Cycle Company.

Finden-Crofts first registered the XJ220 on April 3 1995.

Between 1995 and 2012, the car swapped hands three times via XJ220 specialists Oakfields, before being sold (again through Oakfields) in 2012 to its fourth and current owners in Sydney.

Import approval was granted under ‘Display Vehicle’ circumstances and was granted on October 31, 2012, and the car was imported into the country in January 2013. Mark Jansen of Oldtimer points out that import rules have subsequently changed. They have recently gained a new import approval under ‘Vehicles at least 25 years old’, meaning this XJ220 is now fully registerable in Australia.

After many years of storage, the XJ220 has recently been recommissioned by Melbourne Jaguar specialists, Mike Roddy Motors, and is running and ready for its new owners with just 7,984 miles covered.

It presents as new and is understood to be one of just four in the country.

With original service books and a good history file – this truly represents one of the pinnacles of road-going Jaguar – or even British – collecting. And while the big cat boasts a big pricetag – when you compare it to its contemporaries (Ferrari’s F40, Porsche’s 959 etc) – it almost seems undervalued!

Should anyone be looking to treat themselves ahead of Christmas, you can find the big car in Queensland, listed for $679,950.

Check out the full listing here!

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