1992 Jaguar XJ220 Coupe

The Jaguar XJ220 Concept was first shown as a non-running prototype at England's Birmingham Motor Show in 1988. It was a cost-no-object one-off built by Jaguar's engineers. It later became a limited production machine by Tom Walkinshaw's Jaguarsport racing operation. The prototype was given a detuned version of the TWR 48-valve Jaguar racing V-12 with all-wheel drive. This, however, was deemed too large, and the project was re-cast with a fuel-injected, 24-valve, four-cam, twin-turbocharged V-6 developing 542 horsepower. Soon after, Jaguar received 1,200 deposits for an anticipated production run of just 350 cars.

Jaguar and TWR hand-assembled the concept at a new factory in Bloxham, United Kingdom, which was capable of building cars at a rate of three to four cars per week. By 1991, running prototypes were completing trials at Italy's Nardo circuit. Unfortunately, at this point in history, the world economy was experiencing a recession. Another complication was that Jaguar did not make available the car for sale in the United States, citing the cost of complying with United States safety and emissions certification. Another 'problem' with the car was large and fast and certainly not ideal for public roads. Buyer's reneged on their orders and Jaguar struggled to move those that it built. The supercar project ended after just 281 had been completed.

The XJ220 was a successful race car and it won the GT class in the 1993 Le Mans, only to be disqualified several weeks later on a technical issue.

This example is finished in dark Le Mans Blue metallic with grey leather hides. It is equipped with factory air conditioning. It was completed on November 20th of 1992 and on December 18th of 1992, it was sent to Germany. The present owner took possession of the car on October 18th of 2008. The odometer shows less than 2,000 miles from new. Modifications to conform the Jaguar to California emissions certification was completed on June 27, 2001, enabling the car to be compliant with U.S. EPA and CARB emission control regulations applicable to 1992 passenger cars.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's sale in Scottsdale, Arizona. The lot was sold for the sum of $220,000 including buyer's commission.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013