1996 Jaguar XJ12

Description

SUMMARY

• 1-owner car
• Only 37,384 miles
• 6.0 liter HE V12 / 313 horsepower
• GM 4L80E 4-speed automatic transmission
• Leather interior
• 16-inch wire wheels
• Sale includes factory manuals and service receipts
• Power rack-and-pinion steering
• 4-wheel power disc brakes
• 2.08 gears

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Jaguar is responsible for some of the most memorable cars ever produced. From the 1968 E-type to the current F-type, the company continues to define British motoring for enthusiasts across the globe. It's no coincidence that the brand's designs tend to age gracefully. And it's no coincidence that well-preserved Jaguars always find a dedicated group of fans that are ready and willing to pay top dollar for their favorite vintage. If the X300 XJ caught your eye back in the mid '90s, but paying new car money simply wasn't in the cards, here's your chance to own one of the nicest XJ sedans on the planet for well under its original asking price. With 37,384 original miles and a well-documented service history, this 1996 XJ12 is a meticulously maintained example of a clean, modern classic!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Few companies can match Jaguar when it comes to consistency in design. From the E-type forward, long wheelbase platforms with elongated noses and short rear overhangs became the company's signature look. This XJ12 stays true to that formula, with sleek bodylines that appear to taper at both ends. All panels are remarkably straight and free of notable flaws. Appearing garage kept, the car's original Black paint is well preserved, presenting absolutely no signs of the clearcoat delamination that's so common among traditional '90s paintwork. Overall fit and finish is exactly what you'd expect from an offering that was at the top of its class roughly twenty years ago. And panel gaps are even all around, with doors that offer a solid, resolute thud upon shutting.

ENGINE

Hoist the car's forward-tilting hood and a 6.0 liter HE version of Jaguar's storied V12 comes in to view. One of the most powerful Jaguar engines to date, the HE utilizes an increased stroke and new Nippondenso distributorless ignition to churn 313 horsepower into 353 lb./ft. of torque. Designed as a smooth cruiser that runs up a wide power band to create excellent driving characteristics, the mill is widely regarded as one of the best luxury car powertrains ever created. And it features a host of race-proven technology that seamlessly complements traditional Old World silk to deliver a well-mannered sedan with excellent road prowess. Based on appearance, the HE in this distinguished XJ has been meticulously maintained. And nothing, from the car's “JAGUAR V12” branded manifolds to its fresh hoses and new battery, shows any signs of heat damage or substantial weathering.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Behind that 12, a familiar GM 4L80E 4-speed transfers power to highway-friendly, 2.08 gears. As a luxury car, amenities such as power rack-and-pinion steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes are, naturally, standard equipment. The rear brakes are housed in a unique independent suspension that probably looks quite familiar to most street rod guys. Exhaust is factory-spec, from the car's manifolds all the way to its tips. And at the corners of the floor, 16-inch wire wheels are wrapped in fresh 225/60 Pirelli Cinturato P7s.

INTERIOR

Behind the car's sturdy doors, a luxurious leather interior has been remarkably preserved. At ground level, premium carpet, which is protected by color-keyed mats, looks like it would be just as appropriate finishing a bedroom floor. The heated, power-adjustable seats are fully functional, with fine covering that provides welcoming comfort. Between those seats, a conservative console, which is topped with glossy wood veneer, positions a unique gear selector between a correct tape deck and old school cellular telephone. Above that console, factory-spec, analog gauges ride behind more attractive veneer. At the sides of that dash, 2-tone door panels anchor chrome handles above a bin of electronic controls that operate various mirrors and windows. In front of the driver, a wood-trimmed steering wheel laps an old school Jaguar emblem. And behind the passengers, a spacious trunk hangs a big CD changer next to componentry for the car's crisp Harman Kardon sound system.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

• The car's Owner's Manual and related accessory booklets
• The car's cellular telephone manual and its accompanying cassette tape
• Miscellaneous service records
• A bit of touch up paint

This classy XJ12 is a clean, reliable luxury car that features plenty of power and excellent road manners. With its unmatched combination of contemporary convenience and Old World craftsmanship, you'll feel like an A-list celebrity on even the simplest errand runs. If you're in the market for a great fair-weather driver that excels at virtually everything it does, this dignified Jag is your kind of car!