THE ICONIC & CLASSIC SALES AT NEC 14th & 15th November 2026

+ buyer’s premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT) 143 By the mid-to-late 1960s, competition for the lucrative luxury car market was led by Jaguar with the successful Mk10, Mk2, S-Type and 420 saloons. However, it had been clear for some time that if Jaguar were to remain at the top of this sector into the 1970s and beyond there was a pressing need to develop just one saloon to replace all of the cars in the existing range. To succeed the new car would need to be very special indeed. It was - the all-new XJ range made its debut in 1968 at London’s Earls Court Motor Show. The car was an immediate success with the public overwhelmed by this new large luxury Jaguar. However, perhaps of greater importance, was the attention from the motoring press. It is doubtful that any car had ever received such unqualified praise from the press as the XJ did. A high-performance version called the Jaguar XJ12 saloon was announced in July 1972, featuring a simplified grille, and powered by Jaguar’s venerable 5.3-litre V12 engine coupled to the Borg-Warner Model 12 gearbox. At the time, it was the only mass-produced 12-cylinder, four-door car in the world and, with a top speed of 145mph, it was the ‘fastest full four-seater available in the world.’ The car presented here 1972 Jaguar XJ12 Series 1 5.3 V12 SWB which our enthusiast-vendor discovered, some 15 years ago, in a highly original state (with such details as retaining its factory vinyl tags on the rear valance - which almost always are long-gone) and set about the most exacting 8-year/£50,000 restoration, returning the car to its original factory-specification and to a condition worthy of publication. This indeed came about with a November 2019 article by Mark Sutherland, entitled ‘Project Phoenix’, published in the Jaguar Drivers’ Club magazine (a copy of which is available upon request). This highlights perfectly all the relevant information that any prospective buyer would want to know, here’s a taster: ‘This article relates the story of one man, RP, and the labour of love that has seen his Series One XJ12 reborn over a period of eight years, with the aim of returning the car to the condition in which it left the factory. In truth, I believe that this car and many other cars that have undergone full restorations may well be better than when they left the factory. So, I asked him how he has set about ensuring that the level of detail on his car is correct. He tells me that he has ‘read lots of books and brochures along with British Leyland parts books thus ensuring originality where knowingly possible’. I also asked him what words of wisdom he had for others that were doing the same thing ‘Go the extra mile, for example don’t paint things that should be plated, don’t rush as people will be able to tell where the detail is missing or incorrect’. ‘The work to the car’s metalwork was entrusted to Mark at Woodall Motors in Hemsworth, West Yorkshire. A job like this can’t be rushed and there were times when our vendor began to wonder if the work would ever be finished. The mechanical work on the car’s engine and gearbox was carried out at CFS Jaguar in Coventry; this well-known company has previously worked with the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust on their own cars. The work included a full rebuild of the engine and the carburettors, and replacing all the necessary parts in the automatic gearbox.’ See online listing for full details. A truly incredible restoration journey, taking eight years to complete, to the value of £50,000, and utilising some of the best marque specialists in the country, the results speak for themselves; is this the best S1 XJ12 in the world? Registration: HDU 112L Chassis No.: 1P1462BW Estimate: £28,000 - £34,000 Specialist: Joseph Watts Telephone No: 07779 082707 Lot 210 1972 Jaguar XJ12 Series 1 5.3 V12 SWB - Fully Restored More Details Lot 210 Bid On Lot 210