West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and very rare and collectible example with an extremely desirable factory 5 spd manual transmission and classic color combination of an increasingly collectible of British classic car - a 1994 Jaguar XJS 4.0L 6 cylinder 2+2 roadster with a 5 spd manual transmission and only 72K original miles!
Gorgeous and very rare and desirable color combination of original factory 'Brooklands Green (Code HFB) color paint (named after the legendary dark green international racing color of the United Kingdom, aka British Racing Green, and originally made famous by Bentley's hugely successful dark green cars raced at the Le Mans 24hr in the 1920's and later by such legendary British marques like Aston Martin, Cooper and Lotus in Formula One in the 1950's and 60's and obviously with a nod here by Jaguar to the renown 'Brooklands' racetrack in England, which famously played host to the world's first 24 hour motor event in 1907 but which sadly closed to never reopen when WWII broke out in 1939!)
Sources vary regarding how many XJSs were produced for the US market with a factory 5-speed manual transmission, though all were reportedly special order. Cars delivered with a 5-speed can be identified by the number 8 in the eighth position in the VIN, rather than a 4 as in automatic transmission cars.
Apparently according to the late, great Jaguar enthusiast, Karen Miller who managed to elicit some sales data from Jaguar Cars/US (as it was at that time). the XJS 5-speed manual sales breakdown was:
1993.101
1994. 71
1995. 4 (perhaps left over 1994s?)
For a total of 176 such XJS variants. Apparently they were unable to provide to her the data split between XJS coupes and convertibles.
And reportedly again, according to an archivist at Jaguar Land Rover asking for 5 speed production numbers by body style for the US and Canada, the archivist responded with the following:-
1992 Coupe - 33 Canada only
1993 Coupe - 37 US and 4 Can
1993 Convertible - 62 US and 4 Can
1993 2+2 - 2 US and 4 Can
1994 Coupe - 19 US only
1994 2+2 - 56 US and 2 Can
There was none in 1995 or 1996. There was approximately 70 Manual AJ16 engine XJSs and none were sold to the USA. It doesn't mean none have been imported though. Remember these are calendar year production figures, so some cars produced in 1992 may be 1993 model years and some in 1993 may be 1994 model years.
So it would seem that only a total of approximately 176 5 spd manual cars were built for the US and 47 for Canada. A manual AJ16 is a very rare bird and 1992 thru 1994 were the only years the 6-cylinder with 5-speed manual transmission Jaguar XJS was exported to the United States. As stated it would seem that the exact production figures are unknown, though it is likely there are fewer than ten. Of the convertible model with the V12 engine, there were only known to have 12 exported to North America.
The car has its very striking original Jaguar alloy wheels with matching Brooklands Green center caps, a beautiful brand new Tan color factory canvas power soft top which compliments its original and still quite stunning doeskin 'Barley color (Code AFW) leather interior and matching tonneau cover! This particular car must be seen to be truly appreciated! A real head-turner!
Obviously always garaged with absolutely no signs or history of any accident damage whatsoever with all original parts - obviously never abused, babied all the way! The car has had only two owners since new with the second owner purchasing the car in 2004 from it's original owner with 61K original miles.
The original factory 'Brooklands Green' color paint is in beautiful condition and it is probably one of the most desirable and striking colors that these cars were ever built in. The original Barley color leather seats are also in outstanding condition throughout. The interior's matching color factory canvas soft top is brand new. The interior is also completely original with it's 'Jaguar' radio/cassette/CD Shuttle system and all the options and gauges are working.
The engine is extremely strong and smooth running with excellent oil pressure and the temperature always remains cool and the car drives exactly like such a well maintained Jaguar with low miles should - no shakes or rattles - very smooth and powerful - must drive the same as when it left the showroom floor over 16 years ago! The car was always serviced on schedule at primarily always Jaguar dealerships or independent specialists. Originally at the 'Hornburg Jaguar' dealership of Hollywood, CA and in recent years at 'Exotic Motorcars', independent Jaguar specialists of Upland, CA. From looking at these extensive service records it is obvious that no expense has been spared on this particular car's preventive maintenance history.
This is one very fine example, and an extremely rare one at that, of a 5 spd factory manual XJS, there is simply no comparison in driving this sports car and an automatic, and a very attractive example too of this increasingly desirable and collectible penultimate year for the Jaguar XJS convertibles - therefore proving a very collectible investment in probably the last classically beautiful design built by Jaguar in their long and famous history of classic lines - a sure-fire classic car investment for the Jaguar enthusiast or simply 'pride of place' in any astute classic car collector's collection!
