It was at the 1988 British Motor Show in Birmingham that the sensational Jaguar XJ220 concept prototype was first revealed to the public and, as expected, orders and the required £50,000 deposits flooded in from all corners of the world. The original concept was for a V12-engined car with a six-speed gearbox and four-wheel drive priced at just under £300,000. However, some four years later when production commenced, the XJ220 had become a two-wheel drive, twin-turbo V6 with a five-speed box on offer at £470,000. Predictably many of the 1,200 option holders tried to cancel their purchase blaming the massive change in the specification but the collapse in values of collectable supercars at the time was probably more of a factor.
Eventually, the car found 275 buyers and the others don’t know what they missed. Producing an impressive 549bhp at 7,000rpm and 473lb.ft at 4,500rpm and now slightly shorter by some ten inches courtesy of the smaller dimensions of the V6 engine against the bulky V12, the XJ220 proved more than capable of reaching its target maximum speed. In 1992 at the Italian Nardo test track Formula One and sportscar ace, Martin Brundle, recorded 212.3mph around the banking in standard trim and 217.1mph with the catalytic converters disconnected, the latter speed equivalent to 223mph on a straight road.
With 0-60mph acceleration in a brutal 3.5 seconds, the XJ220 was indisputably the fastest road car on the planet at that time and, thanks to motorsport-developed, suspension and huge ventilated disc brakes with four-piston calipers, it held the road beautifully and stopped equally as well. On the circuits, the Jaguar also proved highly effective. The full-race version, the XJ220C, took victory on the car’s race debut in the BRDC National Sports GT Challenge and in the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours, John Nielsen, David Brabham and David Coulthard finished first in the GT class.
This unique XJ220 offered here is one of just 69 Right hand drive examples built. Finished in rare Le Mans Blue with grey interior the car has covered a mere 455 miles from new and is a two owner example with just one registered keeper.
A UK specification car it was ordered by a wealthy Italian businessman who had the car delivered and registered to his London home. Shortly after delivery he found himself living more permanently in Italy and after driving just 44 miles in the car it was placed into storage.
It would remain in storage for a further 20 years until it was tracked down and purchased by the current owner for his notable collection. While presenting in as new condition the car was in need of mechanical recommissioning and was sent to legendry XJ220 experts Don Law Racing.
All aspects of the car were carefully checked and recommissioned where necessary to insure it remained highly original whilst being suitably usable. Most notably this work included a strip and check over of the engine and mechanical components, along with refurbishment to the fuel system and equally as important the braking system. Approximately £80,000 has been spent on the car in total between 2020 and 2021 to ensure its usability.
Presented with the original book packs and factory paperwork along with invoices documenting its refurbishment this example surely must be one of the finest examples to be offered in recent times.
Compared to the dizzying prices achieved in todays market by its rivals of the period many of which the XJ220 outdid both in performance and in our opinion presence we think that they are a massively undervalued car the current market.
